Wanted to report back after getting opinions on where to stay. Ended up with 5 nights in the Ren Polat, decided at 10pm the night before arrival.

The set up at this hotel suited me perfectly. Got the airport shuttle to the hotel (every hour). Was given a sea view room on 23, needed a two bed room which usually limits upgrade options in my experience. Staying on the 23rd floor is my only complaint, only one elevator services 23 and there's no way to call that specific elevator - would recommend not taking a room on 23 due to this.

The hotel has a shuttle at 1030 every morning to eminonu and taksim (it wasn't really taksim, it was a stop off istiklal, closer to the tunel square end, still convenient). To and from eminonu took max 20 mins the four days I used it, stop was beside ferrys and tram to Sultanahmet and beyazit, so perfect for sightseeing. It took another 20 to the taksim stop and 30 ish minutes back to eminono on the 4pm bus.

Lounge was nice, looked out over the airport. Food offerings were not as expansive as Asian full service offerings, there were three hot choices at dinner, including a Turkish option. I remember mini burgers, fish and chips, lamb kebabs, mini baked potatoes with mini sandwiches and lots of mini deserts every day.

As I said this hotel suited me perfectly. I've been on the road since the beginning of January so I'm a lot less full on in the evenings than if I were on a weeks vacation! Anyway, just wanted to give feedback for anyone considering this location