With Istanbul International Airport (IST) acting as one of the world’s busiest global transit hubs, long connections are a frequent part of traveling between Europe, Asia, and beyond. During a 14-hour layover in January 2024, we decided to book a short overnight stay near the airport to rest properly rather than waiting inside the terminal.
We booked Heaven Premium Hotel Istanbul Airport via Booking.com for €33.40 per night for a Double Room (excluding breakfast). Situated in the nearby district of Arnavutköy, it proved to be a budget-friendly and cozy refuge for a short connection.
Here is our honest review of Heaven Premium Hotel, covering room comfort, bathroom standards, taxi transit costs, and essential noise considerations.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: 【イスタンブール空港10分】14時間乗り継ぎに便利！Heaven Premium Hotel 宿泊レビュー
Location & Getting There from Istanbul Airport (IST)
The hotel is located approximately 15 kilometres from Istanbul Airport.
Taxi Transfer Details
- Travel Time: Thanks to smooth, quiet roads, the journey by taxi took only around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Taxi Fare: The taxi fare from the airport terminal to the hotel was between 250 and 300 Turkish Lira (TRY), making it a very affordable ride compared to staying at expensive on-site airport terminal hotels.
Room Comfort & Amenities: Cozy Heat & Welcome Snacks
While the room was relatively compact, it offered excellent warmth and thoughtful touches that are much appreciated during a cold winter layover.
In-Room Comforts
- Underfloor Heating: The room features underfloor heating, keeping your feet wonderfully warm throughout the stay.
- Bed Quality: The double bed was very comfortable, providing a solid night’s rest.
- Welcome Snacks & Refreshments: A small complimentary welcome snack was provided alongside free bottled drinking water in the fridge (the bottles are small, but a nice gesture).
- Furnishings: Equipped with a wall-mounted television, small table, chairs, an electric kettle, and a tea-making tray with cups.
- In-Room Dining Menu: Room service menus were available in the room with reasonably priced food options, though we did not order meals during our brief stay.
Important Note on Noise & Soundproofing
The main drawback of the room was the relatively thin walls:
- At around 1:00 AM, we could clearly hear fellow guests chatting and saying “Good night” in the hallway.
- At around 3:00 AM, a guest in the adjacent room spoke loudly on the phone for roughly an hour. If you are a light sleeper, bringing a pair of earplugs is highly recommended.
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Bathroom & Amenities
The en-suite bathroom was compact, spotlessly clean, and functional.
- Shower Performance: Equipped with both a hand-held shower and an overhead rain shower. Hot water took a few moments to come through, but once running, it was perfectly hot.
- Provided Toiletries: Well stocked with a hairdryer, a washcloth, two bottles of high-quality shampoo, liquid soap, and standard vanity items.
- Towel Notice: Unusually, despite two guests staying in the room, there was only one large bath towel and one small hand towel provided. You may wish to request extra towels from reception upon check-in.
Wi-Fi & Front Desk Hospitality
Front Desk Hospitality
The reception staff were exceptionally welcoming and friendly, offering us complimentary Turkish welcome tea upon arrival. Several members of staff spoke good English, making check-in and taxi arrangements effortless.
Wi-Fi Speed
As expected in Istanbul, the free Wi-Fi internet connection was smooth, fast, and completely reliable throughout our stay.
Final Verdict
For €33.40 a night, Heaven Premium Hotel Istanbul Airport offers fantastic value for money for travellers facing long transit connections at IST.
Its close 10-minute proximity to the airport, welcoming service, cozy underfloor heating, and fast Wi-Fi far outweigh the slight noise issues. It is a solid, budget-conscious choice for layovers in Istanbul!
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