I really liked the Barcelo Saray. It's in the Beyazit district near the Grand Bazaar and across the street from a huge mosque. The tram stop is a couple of blocks away, and the main street is busy with shops and restaurants. And it only takes 14 minutes to walk to the Sultanhemet. We timed it for this review!

The hotel is modern and owned by a Spanish chain. I must compliment the Barcelo for its reservation system, free pick-up from the airport if you stay four nights or more, and the great service from a staff who are fun, engaging and friendly. English is spoken by a few of them.

We stayed at the Saray five nights, four when we arrived in Istanbul and one before we left. Both rooms were small, but comfortable and clean. In both rooms were two single beds pushed together, a big closet, safe, mini-bar and TV with BBC and CNN. The bathroom had a walk-in shower, small sink, shelf, hairdryer and some soaps, etc. There was a big window that opens, A/C and room service.

The Saray has a cafe and bar by the lobby. I had a burger, which was made of veal, and was pretty good. Plus beer. The most popular beer is Efes and it's pretty good beer!

There is a restaurant on the top floor with a view of one of the many mosques in Istanbul. Breakfast was served here, and it was the biggest buffet spread we had in Turkey. Cheeses, cold meats, various types of olives, cereal, apricots, cherrie,s yogurt, breads and some hot items lik scrambled eggs and wedge potatoes. Plus, REAL coffee with hot milk, not Nescafe.

We ate at the restaurant for dinner our last night. My lamb chops were excellent, my husband's beef filet not so much. There's a lesson to be learned here.

We paid $190 USD per night including breakfast, and I think it was worth it.

TIP: Smile. The Turkish people are friendly and hospitable. Sour pusses are boring!

The Barcelo Saray is part of a Spanish chain catering mainly to Spanish and Italian tourists visiting Istanbul. The rooms are en-suite and are comfortable (I'd recommend carrying your own stock of toileteries). Our rate included breakfast and was decent fare. The hotel overlooks one of the many mosques that dot the Istanbul skyline and is right opposite the Grand Bazaar and next to a tram station that is two stops from the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Sarayi and Haghia Sofia. The location therefore is ideal. Service is average. If you book directly via the hotel website you will get a free pick up from the airport. Do not bank on a great view as this is reserved for those who are paying rack rate and not going through a travel website. Service is average (not rude but friendly either). Do not book any tours through the hotel as these tend to be slightly expensive compared to what the tour operator in the market will give you.

I stayed 6 nights in Istanbul, 3 at the Barcelo Saray and 3 at the BW President which is very near and both are 4 stars.

- HOTEL: looks very new, comfortable with a restaurant on the roof and a bar close to reception, free sauna, steam bath and turskish bath opened from 15 to 23h, free WIFI and business room with 3 computers. Friendly and helpful staff.

- ROOM: looks very new and has big bathroom but the room is very small, you can almost no move or place your case. It is very silent at night. You have free WIFI.

- BREAKFAST: it was good but there was not enough choice of warm dishes and fresh fruit, no fresh juices.

- RESTAURANT: I had dinner once as that day I spent 12 hours walking and after a sauna and Turkish bath I preferred to stay at hotel. Good food and dessert and average price. Nice views to Bezayit Mosque from the roof.

- LOCATION: located next to Bezayit Square and Grand Bazaar. It is at a walking distance to most highlights in the old city and you have a tram stop in front of hotel.

- AIRPORT TRANSFER/DROP-OFF: if you stay 3 nights or more and book it through their page you get this service free. I reserved though a Turkish website which offered this service for free and better hotel price.

I paid 80 for the Barcelo Saray and with the exception of the room size and got an slightly better hotel than from the BW which I paid 149 euros (F1 price was going on and this hotel was full). Istanbul is quite expensive, so I think I got a good value for the money paid.

Stayed at this hotel for 3 nights, good location on Metro/Tram line and diagonally across from Grand Bazaar. Staff is helpful but not too reliable. Example: Being from Florida we were cool in the room in the morning (temp about 55 outside, maybe 65 in room) so we asked how to operate the thermostat in the room, was told they would check on heat, next day same deal and was finally told it is summer (May ??) and the heat is off. Hotel also arranged and paid for airport transfer, they had pickup time incorrect and we came close to missing flight to JFK.
Aside from all that, the room was neat clean and the beds were comfortable, the breakfast buffet was good and the restaurant was OK.
Good place, just be on your toes with the staff.