The Tom Square Boutique hotel is run by a staff of three incredibly helpful and friendly people, who will go to any length to ensure that your stay is enjoyable. If you are the sort of traveller who enjoys staying in what feels like someone's house, with local food for breakfast, in the heart of a shabby-chic area, this is for you. We were not treated as guests, but as friends, with a level of service that went above and beyond the call of duty. Certainly the rooms are small, but we were across the road with our own balcony, and small kitchen, which gave us a level of autonomy and independance in addition to all the facilities of a hotel back in the main section. The bathroom was impeccable, the beds comfortable, and kept clean and tidy. I've read previous comments about beds not being made, or towels changed every day but this was not the case for us. The hotel is in a slightly run-down area, though ideally located to get to all of the main tourist sites of the Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmed and beyond by tram or bus. Ask the hotel for advice on what to see, where to go, how much to pay : they were a source of unending information. I've also read a complaint about climbing the hill up to the Grand Bazaar : well Istanbul is made up of seven huge hills, so if walking uphill is not your thing, you're in the wrong city, as it is unavoidable. I'd recommend this to anyone I know who appreciates living in the heart of the city, and is not hung up on staying in faceless corporate chains.
