With its crisp whitewashed facade blending neoclassic architecture with Ottoman-style touches and colorful flowers, the Hotel Niles makes an attractive first impression. Stepping inside, charming elegance gives way to a busier and more extravagant decor, comprising intricately carved cedar ceilings, polished wood pillars, floral-print wallpaper, and an extensive collection of old-fashioned Turkish furnishings and flourishes. The hotel, last renovated in 2013, was opened in 1987 by the Duyar family and has remained with them ever since (it is now operated by the second generation, who also own the Hotel Dersaadet). The ambience is welcoming and cheerful -- members of the family are usually on-site -- while the vibe is homey and relaxed. 

The hotel is missing some features found at other upscale hotels in the city, such as a pool and hammam, but prices typically reflect this; the Neorion Hotel, which gives guests free access to its pool and hammam facilities, has higher nightly rates. The nearby BEST WESTERN PLUS The President Hotel does have a pool and similar rates, but lacks the level of authenticity and charm found here. 

The hotel is set a narrow side street in the neighborhood of Beyazid -- also known as Istanbul's "garment district." The location is just two blocks from the world-famous Grand Bazaar, but a bit farther to the main hub of the historical center in Sultanahmet, where The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Basilica, and Topkapi Palace are found (about 15 to 20 minutes on foot, or tram connections are a couple minutes away). Ataturk International Airport is a 30-minute taxi drive, though is very dependent on traffic, which can get congested.  

The hotel has 39 rooms, the majority of which benefitted from the property's 2013 renovation and are decorated in mixture of clean contemporary styling and traditional touches, featuring wooden floors, long, narrow horizontal mirrors, and 19th-century artworks. All room have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 21-inch flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee facilities, while modern bathrooms have hairdryers and standard toiletries. The hotel's more traditionally styled suites really impress with heated (in winter) mahogany floors, hand-painted ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms. There are also two Maisonette Rooms available, which are spread over two floors and feature the building’s original Ottoman-era brickwork together with kitchenettes and glass-enclosed Turkish hammam-style bathrooms.

The setting for breakfast at the hotel is a treat, served in the Terrace Cafe located on the roof of the property. The free buffet has over 20 items including fresh breads, pastries, jams, cheeses, olives, omelets, hard-boiled eggs, and cold meats -- a pretty typical breakfast for Turkey. The glass-walled cafe-lounge also extends to an alfresco terrace with views out over the Sea of Marmara. Drinks are also available during the day. The hotel also has a small fitness room with two treadmills, two exercise bikes, and free weights, and Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout the hotel.