Originally Posted by NJTravlr

I had an overnight layover in Istanbul on Friday 3/25/2016 and Saturday 4/2/2016. We stayed at Ottoman Hotel Imperial on 3/25 and Boutique Saint Sophia Hotel on 4/2. The hotels are right next to each other and are immediately adjacent to Hagia Sophia. Both hotels are excellent...but lack security.

Vehicle access to both hotels is restricted by general vehicle limitations in the tourist area. We used Zip Transfers for the ride from the airport. On 3/25 we arrived near the hotel about 6:30pm. The driver called the hotel and they sent a porter to meet us about 3 blocks from the hotel. It looked like we would need to walk the remaining three blocks to the hotel, but once the porter saw we were four people with only hand luggage he jumped in the van and directed the driver to a spot closer to the hotel requiring only a walk of about 100 feet to the hotel entrance.

The Ottoman Hotel Imperial has NO entry security, i.e.., no metal detector/luggage screening. However, due to the layout of the hotel someone entering the main entrance cannot easily get to guest rooms or dinning areas. We received multiple email alerts from the US State Dept. S.T.E.P. program with cautions about traveling in Turkey. They specifically mentioned to avoid staying in hotels without entry security. We walked to dinner across Sultan Ahmet Square, avoiding groups of people as much as possible. The next morning we visited the Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque before the return to the airport. When we left the hotel we did have to walk about 3 blocks, with the help of a hotel porter, to reach our van and driver. This was due to the general vehicle restrictions in this area.

On 4/2/16 we arrived closer to 11:30pm and our driver was able to access the restricted area and take us directly to the Boutique St. Sophia Hotel. It is located along the tram line next to Hagia Sophia and up a small hill by foot from the street. This hotel does NOT have entry security, metal detector or luggage screening. The breakfast room is in the lobby. Upon checking in the front desk informed us that taking breakfast in our room was available at no additional charge. That would be the more prudent move but, we ended up eating in the lobby. Unfortunately, anyone can walk into the lobby from the street and directly into the breakfast area unrestricted.

We wanted to visit the Hagia Sophia which opens at 9 am. On our visit the week prior we noted people standing inline outside the gate to the Hagia Sophia prior to its opening. We waited till about 9:05am to make the 3 min walk over and there was no line outside the gate. However there was a bit of a backup at the ticket windows. We were able to buy tickets, with a credit card TL40 per person, at the kiosk just to the left after entering the gates and thus bypass the ticket window line. We quickly moved past the turnstile/security X-ray/metal detector and into the building.

Upon exiting we needed to get back to the hotel to get bags to return to the airport. I did note, with much dismay, a large contingent of red jacketed security police in Sultan Ahmet square sitting around engrossed in their iPhones and not providing any security whatsoever. This is the spot where 12 people were killed in a bombing in January and the cops are looking at their phones not the people walking through the area!

We did the same 3 block walk from the hotel to our driver/van as the week prior. Not the most low key way to get a ride when you are carrying bags. Fortunately we had checked our luggage through to JFK and only had hand luggage.

Bottom line, in light of the recent events in Istanbul, caution is highly recommended. Make sure hotels have entry security. Follow the recommendations of security experts. This all does make you very paranoid. I have been traveling for more than 30 years including a flight to Rome the day after Lockerbie...so Im not one to let terrorists alter my plans but I don't think I will be returning to Istanbul anytime soon....no matter how cheap Turkish Airlines fares get.

We had booked these hotels because of their proximity to Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque knowing we would only have about an hour on each visit for sight seeing. We incorrectly assumed that all hotels in Istanbul had entry security. You can see the security in photos on some hotel websites....my recommendation ASK before you book. I wish we had.