Location. The Hotel Zurich is located in Istanbul city centre, Turkey, in the Laieli old town centre, 100 metres from the Aksaray Laleli metro station and 900 metres from the 17th-century Blue Mosque and the cathedral-sized underground chamber of the Basilica Cistern. Hotel Features. This grand corner hotel stands seven stories tall, and enjoys panoramic views over the old city and Marmora Sea. Guests can visit the rejuvenating health club for a Turkish bath, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and workout at the state-of-the-art gym and indulge in massage treatments. The indoor swimming pool area is covered by a glass roof, and the nightclub offers late- night drinking and dancing. Wireless Internet is available throughout the hotel. The concierge can also help book tickets to shows and attractions and organise airport transfers (surcharge).

Hotel Zurich offers a complimentary buffet breakfast every morning. The à la carte restaurant serves traditional Turkish dishes with city views. The two cafes offer Turkish and international meals and snacks throughout the day, and a long list of drinks and cocktails are available at the piano bar.

Guestrooms. The 126 air-conditioned guestrooms are decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Amenities include cable television with LCD screens, wireless Internet, and coffee/tea facilities.

Room Types:

Presidential Suite:   One queen bed. Decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Air conditioning. Cable television with LCD screen. Wireless Internet. Telephone. Safe. Coffee/tea-making facilities. White tiled bathroom with shower cubicle, hair dryer, bathroom telephone, and makeup mirror.

Standard twin/double room:   One double or two twin beds. Decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Air conditioning. Cable television with LCD screen. Wireless Internet. Telephone. Safe. Coffee/tea-making facilities. White tiled bathroom with shower cubicle, hair dryer, bathroom telephone, and makeup mirror.

Standard Suite:   Two queen beds. Decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Air conditioning. Cable television with LCD screen. Wireless Internet. Telephone. Safe. Coffee/tea-making facilities. White tiled bathroom with shower cubicle, hair dryer, bathroom telephone, and makeup mirror.

Triple room:   Three twin beds. Decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Air conditioning. Cable television with LCD screen. Wireless Internet. Telephone. Safe. Coffee/tea-making facilities. White tiled bathroom with shower cubicle, hair dryer, bathroom telephone, and makeup mirror.

Connecting Rooms:   Four twin beds. Decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Air conditioning. Cable television with LCD screen. Wireless Internet. Telephone. Safe. Coffee/tea facilities. Tiled bathroom with shower cubicle, hair dryer, telephone, and makeup mirror.

Single room:   One twin bed. Decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Air conditioning. Cable television with LCD screen. Wireless Internet. Telephone. Safe. Coffee/tea-making facilities. White tiled bathroom with shower cubicle, hair dryer, bathroom telephone, and makeup mirror.

Executive package:   Two queen beds. Located on the suite floor. Decorated in warm earthy tones with patterned fabrics and modern wooden furnishings. Air conditioning. Cable television with LCD screen. Wireless Internet. Telephone. Safe. Coffee/tea-making facilities. White tiled bathroom with shower cubicle, hair dryer, bathroom telephone, and makeup mirror. Complimentary 45-minute massage and use of sauna and solarium. Continental breakfast.

Driving Directions: From Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): Distance to Hotel Zurich is 15 kilometres, approximately 20 minutes' drive.

Getting there. The metro system is connected to both airport terminals via an underground walkway and runs to Aksaray in the city centre. A single ticket costs around TRY 1. The Aksaray Laleli metro station and tram stop is 100 metres from the hotel. The Havas Airport Bus runs every 30 minutes to Taksim Square in central Istanbul and the main bus terminal. The journey takes around 30 minutes. Public bus 96 runs to the city centre and there is also a shuttle to the port. The hotel also offers airport transfers for a surcharge. Fixed price airport taxis are available from outside Arrivals and should cost around 18-25 EUR to the city centre. At night a 50 percent surcharge is added. Shared taxis (dolmus) are also available from the airport. All prices subject to change.

Getting around. Istanbul has an extensive public transport network comprised of metros (underground trains), buses, trams, trains, ferries and sea buses. Tickets are available from stations, main stops, or kiosks and should be purchased before boarding. Istanbul's yellow taxis are relatively inexpensive but travellers should make sure the meter is running. A cheaper way of getting around is to use a <i>dolmus</i> (shared taxi or minibus). Driving is not recommended for visitors in the city.