Istanbul - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 79

too far to see the main attractions
of the city. Some of the rooms at
the Side have shared toilet facili-
ties though (the pensions), so be
sure of what level of accommoda-
tion you are booking, but the
management team promise you
will have hot water at any time of
day. The Side has a cosy little
restaurant decorated to a tradi-
tional style where breakfast is
served. Children's portions are
supplied happily on request as are
a steady flow of drinks. Another
bonus is that the Side has a shut-
tle bus service from the airport to
the hotel and back. There's a fee
depending on when you stay but
it takes the hassle out of arriving
and getting to your hotel with
family and an assortment of suit-
cases in tow. You can also leave
your luggage at the hotel after
check-out if you intend to extend
your stay or if your flight home is
later in the day. The big bonus is
that children up to 6 years of age
can stay free. Good family value
all round.
Rooms 26 and 2 self-contained
apartments for up to 4 people + cot.
Rates from 60 YTL for a triple family
pension without bathroom, from
around 120 YTL for a family hotel
room. Children free. Credit MC, V.
Amenities cot (free), roof café, airport
transfer, safe deposit boxes, breakfast
room, luggage room (free). In room
no AC but fans provided on request,
some have en suite. Apartments AC,
en-suite bathroom, kitchen.

Head for the Aya Sofya, stand
on the Topkapi Palace side of the
massive building and take the
short walk to Hudavendigar
Caddesi toward Eminönü. The
pink building comes into view.
This pleasing, pink-washed
and immaculately presented hotel
is located in the Sirkeci area, close
to the main tourist sights in
Sultanahmet Square and the rail-
way station. Among its features is
its own Alaturka Restaurant and
café where traditional Turkish
dishes such as zeytinyagli enginar
made from artichokes, firinda
manti, a pasta and meat recipe,
and desserts including baklava
and other sweet pastries are
served. The hotel happily caters
for anyone with special diets, so if
there's a diabetic or a vegetarian
in your family then eating here
shouldn't be a problem. Children,
of course, are catered for too,
and have a pretty lengthy menu
tailored to their tastes and smaller
appetites. The hotel has an
Internet café for older children
and parents, a babysitting service,
play area and a separate television
room, plus the services of a doc-
tor on call. The range of facilities
is good for a moderately priced
hotel, and particularly useful if
staying with a family.
Rooms 63 including 4 junior suites
for up to 4 people + cot. Rates triple
room 126 YTL (low) and 150 YTL
(high) and junior suite 176 YTL (low)
and 190 YTL (high). Children 0-6
free. Prices include buffet breakfast.
Credit MC, V. Amenities babysitting
service, doctor on call, Internet café,
play area, TV room, cot (free), airport
transfer (free). In room AC, TV, en-
suite bathroom, safety deposit box.

MODERATE
The Romance Hotel ★★

Hudavendigar Caddesi No 7, Sirkeci,
Istanbul. b [phone];
www.romancehotel.com 79