Originally Posted by
travelsavant
Another vote for Sultanahmet area. Have been to Istanbul several times & that is my favorite & certainly best & safe area for 1st time visitors. Last time there stayed at a wonderful hotel, Hotel Amira, which is also one of the top hotels on TripAdvisor (my review posted there under same handle as on FT.)
I stayed in the same area, Cankurtaran. Loved it! So ancient, authentic and interesting, not to mention close to the main attractions.
Word from the wise: this area is up on a large hill, so be you'd best have good walking shoes and a decent level of fitness to get up there. May not be best if you're going with granny. Scaling the hill is nothing to the Turks, but many westerners are... couch potatoes and outta shape. If this is an issue it's easier staying at somewhere close to Sultanahmet Square and/or close to the main drag along the subway line.