I had a 15 hours stopover in the new Istanbul airport between my flight from Indonesia to Egypt and I am glad I discovered a great Istanbul Airport Hotel : The Yotel airside.
Istanbul New Airport (IST) started operating in October 2018. It replaced the old Atatürk Airport and they plan for it to become the busiest and biggest airport in the world!
The bother of the new airport is that it is located further from Istanbul city center. So if you have a long stopover between two flights, you might prefer staying in the airport and get a room at the Yotel hotel.
Read my review to find out all about my stay.
Content of this article:
Location of the Yotel Hotel
I stayed at the airside branch of Yotel Istanbul.
It is located within the terminal so you don’t even need to clear immigration which given Coronavirus can feel safer for some people.
I had to go through security control after landing but it was fast and well organized. I queued for 2 or 3 minutes only.
Within 15 minutes of landing, I was in my room. Super convenient!
The hotel is in the center area of the airport and very easy to find. Just follow the sign for Yotel through the airport.
The entrance doesn’t look grand but is easy to find. I was surprised to find out that the hotel is huge with 280 bedrooms!
Tip: there is a water fountain for free drinking water by the hotel entrance. You can refill your water bottle there and reduce plastic!
Tip: when you book, make sure you don’t confuse the airside (which is inside the airport after security and passport control) and the landside which is just outside the airport. This review is about the airside Yotel.
Checkin in at Yotel hotel in Istanbul airport
The hotel lobby is small but check-in was a breeze. They have implemented locket and social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus so the check-in counter looked a bit like a train station…
Check-in was however efficient. There was no queue as 5 staffs were available at the counter to help people checking in and out and they were friendly.
Don’t expect welcome drinks or cold towels but within 2 minutes, I had the key to my room and the internet password. Efficient 😊
Review of the room at Yotel Istanbul airport hotel
I stayed in room 3157 which is a premium king room.
The hotel advertises its room as cabins so I was quite pleasantly surprised with the room. It was about 30 square meters. White is the dominant color in the room making it look modern and cozy at the same time.
They have installed ambient lighting so that you can choose the room color depending on your mood. I started to play with the colors but after a while, I got back to the traditional white color.
There is a huge TV that you can use to connect your own devices.
The Desk is convenient if you have to work. Internet is complimentary and the speed was OK at 6 Mbps.
You can see that this room has been well designed with travelers in mind. There are plenty of plugs to charge your devices, including international plugs and USB plugs.
There is a window but don’t expect any view as it faces an internal courtyard. It is however nice to have a bit of natural light coming in. The window has a black-out curtain so that you can make the room pitch black if you need to sleep during the day.
The king bed was plush and comfortable and I slept very well.
The room is super quiet which is amazing for being located inside such a busy airport. The only thing I could hear were a few people talking in the corridors. Great if you for sleeping in the new Istanbul airport!
An ironing board and iron are provided if you need them
There is also 2 small bottles of water in the room if you need them
The room was sparkling clean and everything was working well.
The private bathroom opens in the room. It has a cubicle for the toilet and a cubicle for the shower. The shower is a rain shower with great water pressure. It is always nice to take a good shower in between 2 flights.
Shower Gel, shampoo, and conditioners are provided. There is even body lotion but there is no toothbrush so bring your own
What is the price of the Yotel Istanbul hotel and how to book it?
You can book the hotel for a minimum of 4 hours and it starts at 80 Eur.
A night starts around 150 Eur.
Check out the Yotel website as they have special deals on it
What room to chose at Yotel Istanbul airport hotel?
I stayed in a premium king room it is about 30 Eur per night more expensive than the cheapest room but it is much larger so I recommend it
They also have rooms for families with bunk beds so great if you are traveling with the kids
Review of the lounge and the food at Yotel Istanbul airport hotel
The Yotel Istanbul hotel has a lounge with great food and drinks. If you are a guest at the hotel, you can access it for an extra 20 euros per day, which is great value as you can get breakfast, lunch, and dinners. Drinks are also included. Soft drinks, beer, and wine are available.
The lounge is also available for non-hotel guests for about 40 euros for 5 hours. It is a great option if you want a shower in Istanbul airport, food and internet.
Due to Covid, the buffet is currently smaller than usual and is served by an attendant. It was however great with plenty of choices ranging from quinoa salads, Tuna, gnocchi, sandwiches, fruits,…
A selection of Mezze was very appetizing and all the food I tried tasted delicious
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I had originally planned to explore the restaurants in the airport but ended up having all my meals within the Yotel lounge.
What to do during your transit stopover at Yotel Istanbul airport?
There is only one huge terminal with shops, restaurants, lounges, and a spa.
As the hotel is located at the center of the terminal, it is easy to go out for a bit of shopping or food and come back to your room. I enjoyed simply walking around the airport after a long overnight flight. There is a sports bar If you need to watch an event.
TIP: Walking distances in the airport can be really long. Make sure you leave plenty of time to reach your departure gate. It can take up to 30 minutes to walk!
Navigation in the terminal isn’t difficult while signs are clear
The airport has a spa that is conveniently located above the Yotel airport hotel.
You can see the spa menu below:
In conclusion of my review of Yotel Istanbul airport hotel
Getting a room within the airport terminal is a great option if you have a stopover in Istanbul.
I found it much more comfortable than staying in the business class lounge. During Covid, it is also nice to have a place where you can remove your mask for a few hours in between 2 flights. It was also a great place to sleep a few hours and work quietly at a desk
The Yotel Istanbul offers simple rooms, yet it has everything you need for a comfortable stay. I highly recommend it for your long transit at Istanbul airport.
If you are looking for an airport hotel in Istanbul, look no further.
To book, check their website