Bathroom could be Modernised

Stayed in July 2025

The breakfast buffet wasn't amazing.

Authentic decor, and on the doorstep.of the Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cistern

Stayed in August 2025

Wonderfully authentic experience, I loved Kybele

Stayed in July 2025

The food is expensive and living on the third floor meant quite a walk upstairs every time, but that would not put me off from staying here again.

The location is excellent! We were close to all the main attractions and the T1 Tramline that takes you to the rest. The outside area is quaint and happy and even though we found the food there quite expensive, it was a great place to have breakfast or a night cap before going to bed.

Stayed in June 2025

Location excellent, walkable for the blue mosque and bazaar. Very quirky and interesting hotel

Stayed in April 2025

Our room was small, no tiny. We could hardly open our luggage, and we had only a carry-on. But OK, I have stayed in rooms that size before. And the room had a small balcony which meant that we could keep that door wide open - which made the room seem bigger (and cooler). The booking confirmation said that our room had a view towards the garden. Well, it looked more like a garbage dump to me. I don't know much about Turkish food so I'm in no position to judge the breakfast. But please, get a toaster ...! And some healthy cereal and I'd be 100 % happy! I didn't leave the table hungry anyway and there was plenty of fruit!

The location is of course exceptional! A stone's throw from the major sights including two bazaars. The hotel decor is fascinating - thoughts going to 1001 Arabian Nights and whatnot. Quirky and a bit run down yes, but still - I liked it. It's not a five star hotel anyway. The manager was helpful and we needed his advice since it was the first time in this crowded and confusing city! His language skills are essential. The staff in the restaurant was very nice indeed! Our room was facing the back so the nights were pleasantly quiet! Should I go back to Istanbul I'd look no further than The Kybele!

Stayed in October 2024

A little noisy at night

The Kybele has an excellent location and terrific staff. It is a bit of an older hotel and due to its location a bit noisy at night, but we really enjoyed our stay there and would recommend it.

Stayed in October 2024

I hated the driving service they used.

This is my 3rd stay over 37 years. Excellent respectful staff. Unfortunately they use a terrible driving company for pickups. My driver pulled over 3 blocks from the hotel and wanted to see my airline ticket and jumped in the back seat next to me. He badgered me with personal questions and despite my carrying my own water offered me water 10 separate times. When I asked for him to be quiet, he would not stop asking personal a. I was a single woman travelling alone. When I started to shake and cry he started wreckless driving in a rainstorm. He followed 2 feet behind cars in the fast lane and was furious I would not accept his flirtation. I thought I was going to die in a car wreck. I texted my family. I called the hotel and begged that he slow down. The hotel should ensure women travelling alone never experience a driver seeking attention from a single woman. It was terrifying.

Stayed in August 2024

Very dark interior and a bit shabby. Prime tourist area therefore high prices for food and drink and very pushy staff outside all the Tourist restaurants.

Quirky, bohemian type place. Very close to blue mosque and Topkapi palace.

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing

The staff are great and create a lovely atmosphere. I love the decor- so colourful. The breakfast was really nice. Great location, walking distance to Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar and many restaurants.

Stayed in June 2024

Other than the decor it was average Stairs were challenging an accident waiting to happen

We chose this hotel for the Turkish decor Which was stunning. Great location

Stayed in May 2024

Our room only has a few lamps on the ceiling. There was just a kettle in the room but no where to plug in and no tea or coffee or mugs.

Friendly helpful staff

Stayed in May 2024

While the bathroom was clean, the shower was mouldy along the walls and the grout and overall the shower and attachments should be changed. The furniture was very dated and could do with a refresh.

The biggest selling point is the location of the hotel. It is really close to Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cisterns. Many nice restaurants nearby as well.

Stayed in March 2024

Tried breakfast only once and were not too pleased with the quality and variety but might be due to being very late for breakfast that day. Rest of the meals in the main restaurant were excellent.

Staff and location are two key bonus points apart from the overall Decor of the hotel. Hotel is within 5 mins walk from Haiga Sofia and Blue mosque. It was safe even late at night walking around with kids. As we were travelling during Ramzan month, it was nice to see families breaking fast in the central parks nearby in the evening and fealt like mass picnics. Hotel Restaurant food was great and some really good selection. Best of all was the hotel staff. Always available to help, advice with smiling faces, even helped out with Istanbul card as well. Everyone ethere made our stay really memorable. Can't finish the review without mentionaning lazy but friendly dog. It beacme a game for kids to guess where dog will be lying around every morning or evening.

Stayed in April 2024

Rooms are a bit faded, bathrooms need renovation. Noise from outside so bring earplugs!

Quirky, full of character in a great neighbourhood in close walking proximity to all major attractions. Bedroom nice and light.

Stayed in April 2024

Rooms are a bit on the small side but to be expected in this type of hotel. Poor lighting for reading.

Quirky hotel close to all the sites. Pleasant, friendly staff.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing major , would be nice to have some tea and coffee in the room as there was a kettle but it wasn’t working.

Great location, friendly helpful staff. Loved the quirky features in the hotel

Stayed in December 2023

Stairs, tub/ shower was hard to get in/out

Unique eclectic location

Stayed in November 2023

Breakfast was OK but could do with some variety .

Uniqueness and super location.Helpful owners .

Stayed in October 2023

Didn't apply to us as we had a room on the first floor, but I'm glad I didn't have to walk up and down the stairs to the second and third floors, the stairs are quite steep!

Breakfast was ok, nothing special, but very nice to be able to have it at an outside table by the street, which was quiet as it is a pedestrianised area. The location of this hotel is unbelievable - literally less than 5 minutes' walk from the Haghia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque, a few minutes more to Topkapi Palace and the Archeological Museum. The general manager, Vefa, was great, very accommodating.

Stayed in September 2023

Gorgeous kitschy & colourful hotel. We adored all the lanterns. Room was very comfortable, bathroom a bit pokey, but did the job. Breakfast was sufficient. The hotel is in a great location, close to all the major tourist sites. We would come back & stay

Stayed in August 2023

Quite a few maintenance issues which need addressing, including a shower door that wouldn't close and peeling paintwork on the ceilings and walls. Needs a good refurb. The area is very touristy.

A good location if you're keen to see the old town. Quite a quirky little hotel, with lots of extravagant Ottoman touches.

Stayed in August 2023

Our room was a little noisy at times from the street life below our window, but nothing earplugs won’t fix. Shower head wasn’t great.

Loved the quirkiness of this hotel. It is just beautiful. It’s clean & comfortable. Great location, friendly & helpful staff, good restaurant.

Stayed in August 2023

The toilet was very noisy.

The manager was extremely helpful on several occasions, and we were only there for 2 days. Happy to recommend Kybele to someone looking for a slightly eccentric , in decor, place with lots of character.

Stayed in August 2023