Aya Sultanahmet Hotel in Istanbul

Our biggest mistake during our trip to Istanbul, Turkey, was choosing AJWA Hotel Sultanahmet.

The rooms at AJWA Hotel were small, dim, and cold, with terrible soundproofing – the noise during rain was deafening. Looking out the window, we faced the windows of the building next door, which were covered with weathered and tattered plastic sheets depicting a Bosphorus view, making the scene look like a slum. The elevator was old, and taking the stairs was faster. Breakfast options were limited, service was slow, and the food was unappetizing. The front desk staff were arrogant and repeatedly tried to upsell us to a larger but equally dim and unattractive room. When we asked for restaurant recommendations, they directed us to an overpriced restaurant with which they clearly had a partnership. The road to the hotel was old and chaotic, accessible only on foot, and getting a taxi was a frustrating experience. Hotel staff repeatedly promised discounts to entice us to extend our stay but never genuinely addressed our complaints.

AJWA Hotel Sultanahmet touts its location in the Old City as its only highlight, but in reality, its position in Fatih isn't all that convenient. It takes nearly twenty minutes to walk from the hotel to major attractions like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, and there's no public transportation available directly to the hotel.

AJWA Hotel's facilities and services are far from five-star standard, yet they charge five-star prices. It's, at best, a three-star experience. When we checked out early, the hotel refused to refund the unused nights. They claimed that a refund for early check-out was only possible with a certificate of a severe medical emergency issued by a Turkish hospital. This is definitely not the service standard expected of a five-star hotel. A truly terrible stay!

We felt completely ripped off at AJWA Hotel in Turkey! I hope others don't fall for this scam!