Popular, fun hostel in good location.
Located in Sultanahmet with all the other hostels, a very short walk from the Blue Mosque. You get a fantastic view of the mosque from atop the hostel's roof. The Turkish staff were all really friendly and up for a chat in the bar which gets pretty lively at night. I had struck up a conversation before I even had a chance to buy a beer and by the end of the night I'd met about 10 new people, smoked loads of shiesha and beaten a group of guys at poker. The rooms are pretty spartan and there's not much to the decor. The beds are surpirsingly comfortable despite looking pretty flimsy. Not much character in the bar either but it still has a fun atmosphere. It's not sparkling but not dirty either and the breakfast in the mornings are tasty.

Reviewed By: Kirsty
March 2006

Great place to party and meet people.
I was there in summer 1999, so things could have changed since then... Orient Hostel is a great place for partying and meeting people, if you don't mind that your room floor resembles a Spanish restaurant at the end of the day. Most rooms are with 4-6 beds, and there are some doubles too, plus a "luxury" room across the street. Prices vary by number of beds and season, and are higher if you book in advance! (As I found too late). The hostel occupies 2 buildings of 3 floors. The cafeteria (open all day) is on the top floor, overlooking Marmara sea and the Asian coast. The free breakfast is far from filling. The bar is open daily, belly-dancing shows 2-3 times a week. Next door is Fez travel agency, organizers of the "Fez Bus" tours. Laundry and grocery store nearby. The hostel is 5 minutes walk from Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque. Directions: By tram to Sultanahmet stop. Walk down between Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque until you cross Akbiyik Caddesi. Or by train to Cankurtaran and walk up.

Reviewed By: Nitsan
Summer 1999