Originally Posted by paul00

Introduction Hagia Sofia Mansions is situated in a prime location a stone’s throw from Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern. This was perfect for us as first-time visitors to Istanbul.The hotel recently joined the Curio Collection by Hilton portfolio in November 2019, so we were excited to try it out.The hotel does not consist of one complex, but rather of two main areas.The first is Yesil Ev (the Green House), a historic mansion built at the end of the 19th century that is situated at No. 5 Kabasakal Caddesi (literally 'Street of the Bushy Beard'), which is the address listed on the hotel’s official website. The second area of the hotel is centred around Sogukcesme Sokagi (literally 'Street of the Cold Fountain'). By foot, it is a short 5-minute walk between the two areas. As described below, the hotel also provides a complimentary buggy service between these two areas.One thing worth noting is that the stretch of Kabasakal Caddesi on which Yesil Ev is situated, as well as Sogukcesme Sokagi (where the other part of the hotel is located), are only accessible to vehicles with a special permit. Therefore, a taxi will not be able to drop you off directly in front of the entrance to Yesil Ev nor at Sogukcesme Sokagi. I will discuss this further in the Location section below. Check In We arrived at Yesil Ev and presented ourselves at the front desk there for check-in.We were informed that our room was situated in another part of the hotel. We were taken with our bags on a buggy which passed by Sultanahmet Square on the left.The buggy turned left in front of the entrance to Topkapi Palace and went down along Sogukcesme Sokagi.A number of the historic wooden houses in this street have been converted to hotel accommodation. At the time of our stay, from the outside it appeared that the houses along Sogukcesme Sokagi were in the process of being renovated.We were dropped off at the intersection of Sogukcesme Sokagi with Caferiye Sokagi and escorted through the courtyard (where the Sofia Garden Café is situated) to the building where the front desk is situated. The hotel’s leisure facilities are also situated in this courtyard. Opposite the entrance to this courtyard is the Sofia Terrace Restaurant. The Sarnic restaurant (fine dining Anatolian cuisine) is situated further down Sogukcesme Sokagi.The entrance to the courtyard and Sofia Garden Café on Sogukcesme Sokagi:Sofia Garden Café:The reception area:In festive spirit, there was a gingerbread house placed in front of the front desk:The front desk associate was incredibly friendly and welcoming.As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, I received an upgrade from a standard guest room to an Ottoman Suite, which was situated in another two-storey building in the same courtyard. Ottoman Suite The Ottoman Suite occupied the ground and upper floors of the building. We were escorted by the front desk associate to the suite, where he introduced us to the features of the suite.The living room was situated on the ground floor.The blue sofa on the left is a sofa bed (the suite can accommodate up to 4 adults – 2 people in the king bed in the bedroom and 2 people on the sofa bed in the living room).There was a welcome gift (a selection of macarons) that was waiting for us in the living room.The bedroom and bathroom were situated upstairs.There was a balcony overlooking the courtyard which was accessible from the bedroom.View of the Sofia Garden Café and the indoor pool from the balcony:The bathroom featured a shower and Turkish bath:Toiletries: Breakfast There are two options for breakfast available from 7am to 10:30am (from Monday to Saturday) and to 11am (on Sunday).The first is the Turkish Supreme breakfast which is made to order and served in the Yesil Ev Garden Restaurant. The second option is the buffet breakfast in the Sofia Terrace Restaurant.Both options are complimentary for Hilton Honors Diamond and Gold members (plus one guest).The first morning we went to the Yesil Ev Garden Restaurant.The Yesil Ev Garden Restaurant courtyard:We sat inside. A huge Turkish Supreme breakfast was brought to our table – it was a veritable feast consisting of cold cuts, smoked salmon, olives, aubergines, cucumbers, tomatoes, sundried tomato paste, walnuts and hazelnuts, dried apricots, cheese, butter, jam, honey, bread and pastries. In addition, eggs (including menemen), pancakes, waffles and French toast were available and were made to order. We were offered tea, coffee, juice and water.The food was delicious. It was a supremely satisfying breakfast.The second morning we went to the Sofia Terrace Restaurant. The food items in the buffet were noticeably not as fresh as what we had the previous day in Yesil Ev Garden Restaurant. For example, the pastries and bread in the Sofia Terrace Restaurant were stale and the smoked salmon was very dry. Eggs, pancakes, waffles and French toast were also available and were made to order.The service in both restaurants was very good. The staff were friendly and willing to help. Facilities The fitness centre is accessible by key card:There also is a sauna and a steam room below the fitness centre:The indoor pool/jacuzzi is located in a Roman cistern. Location As mentioned above, Yesil Ev and Sogukcesme Sokagi are only accessible to vehicles with a special permit.Therefore, if you take a taxi to the hotel, one alternative would be to request the driver to drop you off in front of the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet on Tevkifhane Sokagi and walk 100m to the intersection with Kabasakal Caddesi, where you will see the green Yesil Ev building on your left. This is how we ended up arriving at the hotel.The Havaist bus from Istanbul airport goes to Sultanahmet Square. It is a short 5-minute walk from the bus terminus to Yesil Ev or to Sogukcesme Sokagi.Sultanahmet tramway station and Sirkeci metro station are both a short walk from Yesil Ev and Sogukcesme Sokagi. Overall We really enjoyed our stay at Hagia Sofia Mansions and would highly recommend it. The location was fantastic for sightseeing in the old town. The service was excellent. The suite upgrade that I received as a Diamond member was much appreciated. This hotel is a very welcome addition to the Curio Collection by Hilton portfolio.