It had been a while since I had traveled on my own and from the moment I stepped into the Historial Hotel (now called Ottoman Hotel), I felt right at home. It is located in very convenient and central street in Sultanahmet (the historical heart of Istanbul) and it has a nice mix of locals and tourists alike. The rooms are quaint and if you grab a double room, you get a little balcony where you can witness all the wonderful street activity or have the sun splash & warm your face in the morning. The roof is equipped with an amazing terrace where you can see this magnificent city in full and hear the beautiful Azan call to prayer throughout the day, it's a very spiritual experience. Besides the great logistics of the hotel, the staff is what gives this place authenticity and heart. They are warm, welcoming, and generous. They offer their hearts and open your mind to all the possibilities of this beautiful Middle Eastern / European culture and really share the best of what they have to offer. I felt like I was at home with Sevim, Engin, Saadiq, and Ibrahim - we sat together, we laughed together, we learned from one another, and they reminded me of all the beauty that there is in the Middle East and its people - a region with troubles, but with people who have deep hearts and wise words. Stay here and you'll have found a home and a family in Istanbul, I know I did :-). I left Istanbul full of life and love, thank you.
