Economy Twin Room, Shared Bathroom | Terrace/patio
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Reviews of Second Home Hostel

2 out of 5
Second Home Hostel
Ebusuud Cad. No: 19, Sirkeci, Eminönü, Istanbul, Istanbul

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 9 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 42 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 42 reviews" "

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very chill people
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Memo on Aug 24, 2023
Thank you! :)

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Regret not staying in different hostel
I don't like leaving bad reviews first and foremost. I'm well travelled, have stayed in hostels around the world so know what to expect. We stayed in a private room as there were 3 of us friends. 1. Cleaniness - room wasn't cleaned once in 6 days there 2. Matainence- we reported the radiator leaking on floor 3 times and it was addressed at all. Belongings wet as a result. Toilet was frequently broken. 3. Security - luggage hold is basically to leave all bags on first floor landing, didnt feel secure to leaving any valuables there. 4. Location - its close to old city sights, but thats just a days worth sightseeing. For food, shopping and nightlfe you are going to want to be nearer to Galata and Taksim side. Traffic is horrendous at most times and Uber is near useless with taxi drivers gaming the system. Is faster to walk most of the time. Restaurants in the area are just tourist traps. If you are vegetarian or vegan then you will need to head towards Galata/Taksim side. 5. Vibe - I won't say that it doesn't have a vibe at all but it is very low key. The layout of 4/5 flights of stairs between the reception area and terrace make it difficult, you're not going to want to make that trip just to find nobody there. 6. Staff - they were largely pleasant enough and friendly. 7. Rooms - near enough impossible to get any sleep, no ventilation, a/c or fans so have to leave window open. Leaving the window open in this location will mean loud noise 24/7. This was in mid Nov
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
Response from Memo on Dec 1, 2022
Dear Bobby,Thanks for your stay and opinions about your stay but this comments are really shocking!We just read your review and are really sorry and sad in fact. 1. There is sign that you need to inform us about cleaning as we don't enter the rooms every day like a hotel system. We clean the rooms upto requests during stays.2. I entered the room two times and fixed the radiator and there was only little blobs that didn't go to your belongings. But even i told you to not touch it, you turned it and it leaked again. No idea about toilet how broken it was. There were 3 other rooms that used same time you stayed and it is still the same and there is no issue. Could you explain this problem, please? So we can be more careful for the next guests. 3. The luggage room is watched by security cameras and we always accept valuables in our locked case or at reception upto requests as your friends left some bags before. You had no communication about that. And sorry to hear that made you uncomfortable.4. About location: it is you personal idea to have food in other side. We mention at all websites that we are close to historical places. Not shopping area. Uber is not our problem, either.5. There is always staff at the terrace who welcome the guests and there are always guests hanging out on the terrace. It's been mentioned that we don't have an elevator. We have events every single day and good atmosphere, you also joined family dinners, pub crawls, walking tours etc. Sorry for not completing your expectations when we did for other 30 people.6. Thank you!7.Everybody asked for heating and we had to open the heaters but you complain that there is no A/C or no fan. How can we know that it is too hot for you if you don't tell us during your stay? We took all the fans from the rooms when it got cold and no need anymore.We had thousands of guests stayed here in 13 years and we're always one of the top hostels. Our first mission is to solve problems immediately and make people comfortable.We are always ready to assist and give hand for anything.Have a great time and safe travelsMemo

10/10 Excellent

Hadi

Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Memo on Jul 8, 2022
Thank you so much! :)

10/10 Excellent

Omar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is my first hostel experience and I as not disappointed at all. The staff are really friendly and the location is amazing. A walking distance from most touristic attractions and easy access to Taxis and the train. Definitely coming back again.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Response from Memo on Jan 4, 2022
Thanks for being with us during your stay in Istanbul! You are always welcome at your secondhome :)

10/10 Excellent

TINA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
Response from Memo on Oct 29, 2021
Thank you :)

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excelente hospedaje
Stayed 15 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Memo on Jul 18, 2021
Thank you, you are always welcome in your Second Home! :)

10/10 Excellent

Rasif, Amherst, MA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The best parts of the property were it's very central location and the helpful staff. Memo and the team took the best possible care of me from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. The airport shuttle was very helpful. Oh and they have the most incredible and chill rooftop terrace.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Memo on Dec 29, 2019
Thank you so much for your feedback :) Hope to see you again!

10/10 Excellent

Lauren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best backpackers hangout in Istanbul
We LOVED our stay at Second Home! The location is perfect for sight seeing, only 5-10 minute walk to almost all the major sites (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, museums, grand bazaar) Anything else is easy to get to by the metro at the end of the street. But what is really great is the Hostel itself. The staff is very welcoming & fun to hang out with after a long day of sight seeing. If you're on a budget, the roof top of BYOB, & you can buy your own drinks & relax. They go above and beyond to create a casual atmosphere where you can meet fellow travelers. Don't miss out on doing dinner with them- it's some of the best food we had in Istanbul.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019
Response from Memo on Aug 23, 2019
A great, lovely couple! Thank you so much staying here. Hope to see you again! All the best

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pleasant hostel with great service.
Pleasant hostel with great service.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Memo on Aug 23, 2019
Thank you for rating and good comments. Would love to see you again :)

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfortable & convenient base for Sultanahmet
Located in between Galata Bridge and Hagia Sophia, Second Home is well-positioned as a convenient base to explore the historic Istanbul! The hostel itself is also a comfortable place to rest - my single bedroom was as comfortable as my own bedroom (and thus matched well with the Second Home name). I unfortunately stayed here for only a night as a stopover, but I will definitely choose to stay here again on my return to Istanbul.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ellie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Will stay here again!
This isn’t the fanciest place to stay in the area, but it’s definitely great value for money. It was clean and the beds were comfy - we shared a bathroom with the other rooms on our floor and it was cleaned throughout her day. The service is 10/10 and the team at Second Home go above and beyond to make sure you feel welcome and that you get the most out of your visit to Istanbul. The hostel is really well located, 3 mins walk from the tram, and within walking distance of the park, loads of museums, the blue mosque and some lovely restaurants. When we go back to Istanbul we will definitely stay here again, and hopefully Mimi the kitten won’t have grown too much by then!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018
Response from Secon Home Team on Oct 11, 2018
Thank you for your kind words Elly! We are glad that you enjoyed your stay. We would be more than happy to host you again, any time!

8/10 Good

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very friendly English speaking staff and hotel very close to main attractions.
Response from manager on May 1, 2018
thank you so much for stayed in our hostel we hope to see you again

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Such a wonderful place
The second home hostel is an amazing, warm place. The host is incredibly kind and they gave us tea when we arrived and bought us a shuttle back to the airport. Istanbul can be a crazy place for foreigners but this hostel really made our trip wonderful (pretty much entirely because of this hostel). It really is a second home.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018
Response from can on Apr 7, 2018
thank you so much stayed in our hostel we hope to see you soon again

10/10 Excellent

Enigma, Europe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Night
I spent 2 nights in Second Home hostel and it was good,everything is near,tram,metro,sea,old town,as u can walk everywhere.The rooms are quite good and clean.The stuff ate also kind,and friendly,especially Mehmet :).So if u are going to Istanbul,feel like home and stay here..

6/10 Okay

Minestrone, Melbourne

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, convenient for a quick stay
Travelled with friend in June 2013. Great location, walking distance to tram which runs through all the main tourist attractions. Staff were friendly. Room was as per expected at a hostel, nothing more nothing less. Shared bathrooms were impractical as there were no hooks or locks on any of the doors. There was only one sink to share between the whole floor. Overall, it was comfortable enough for one night.

8/10 Good

AC, Boston, MA

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
good enough, but staff issues
Great place to stay -right in the middle of sultanahmet. The location was great! We stayed in a double private room and the room was good enough. We got exactly what we expected- small room with a bed and a window with a tiny bathroom down the hall. The rooms get pretty muggy (you can smell the old water pipes), but there is a fan and the windows open so it disappears after 5 minutes. The terrace was a nice touch - great place to hang out after a long day of site-seeing. The hostel staff even offered to order us dinner. Instead we went out to eat, took some wine to go from a convenience store, and drank and played backgammon on the terrace. They also have two computers with internet that you can use for FREE! The staff were always available to answer your questions; however the only complaint I have is that when we arrived we immediately went to the reception to reserve shuttle service to the airport to Ataturk. Can (the main receptionist) said ok great you are all set, just be down here 15 min before the departure time of the shuttle. On our departure date, we come downstairs and he denies ever calling the shuttle for us. He must have forgotten it was Easter weekend and did not even bother to think that the shuttle would get full. We ended up having to book it to the airport on the metro last minute. (which actually was really easy - only one switch for a total transportation cost of 4 lira a person). He was so rude upon our departure and did not even care about his mistake.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
What you see is not what you get.
I cannot fault hotel for location, beeing helpful and friendly but they say that there is a tea/coffee maker and fridge in every room which is not true. They say the kitchen is supposed to be there for everyone's use and on the foto it is huge but in reality it is tiny and there is no over or microwave so all the food I took along had to be chucked away. It is really well located though but not worth the money they charge.

10/10 Excellent

Beatlemania, Malta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent location
Clean, safe, comfortable, close to many restaurants, helpful and friendly staff, value for money, breakfast is okay, location is very central, stairs have no lift. overall great!

8/10 Good

hakan

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from Memo on Jun 26, 2023
Thank you!

6/10 Okay

Melike

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Das Personal und die Lage sind Top! Die Zimmer sind leider nicht sauber. Nach Nachfrage wurde nochmal sauber gemacht, jedoch ist es immer noch nicht sauber genug gewesen. Da unser Aufenthalt nur drei Tage war und wir nur zum schlafen im Hostel waren, war dies aushaltbar.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Memo on May 6, 2023
Thanks for your feedback!

10/10 Excellent

Alperen

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from Memo on Aug 6, 2022
Thank you so much Alperen! You're always welcome :) Görüşürüz!

8/10 Good

Philippe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good place, the roof terrace is a must.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from Memo on Oct 29, 2021
Thank you :)

10/10 Excellent

Carla

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good
I had a long stay and the staff were amazing. The location is perfect. Regarding the room, if you only need it for sleeping is perfect. Don't expect a huge room. Common spaces are great
Stayed 15 nights in Mar 2021
Response from Memo on Apr 12, 2021
Dear Carla, Thanks for staying here with us in Istanbul. It was so nice to meeting you. Hope to see you again, enjoy your study and work in your new place :)

10/10 Excellent

Mary, Paderborn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wir hatten einen sehr angenehmen Aufenthalt. Besonders das freundliche Personal hat uns beeindruckt. Memo hat uns sehr geholfen und viele Telefonate geführt, damit wir ein Testzentrum finden konnten. Auch das Frühstück war sehr lecker und die Ausstattung der Küche gut.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020
Response from Memo on Dec 1, 2020
Hello lovely people :) Thank you so much staying with us during your trip in Istanbul. You are always welcome at your second home :) All the best!

6/10 Okay

Recep

Disliked: Room comfort
Oda bir tane pencere vardı onunda önü tamamen kapalı güneş görmüyor avizelerden birinde ampul yoktu geriye kalan herşey fiyata göre iyi , görevli arkadaş gerçekten çok yardımcı
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020
Response from Memo on Feb 14, 2020
Geri bildiriminiz için teşekkürler.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020
Response from Memo on Feb 3, 2020
Thanks for the feedback

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
服務人員很親切提供所需資訊，方便我們長時間寄放行李，房間寬敞，需自備個人沐浴用品
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from Memo on Aug 23, 2019
Thank you for the rating and comment! See you next time :)

6/10 Okay

Tuba nur

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort
Çok misafirperver ve güleryüzlüydüler. Fakat hostelde su yoktu, yapılan bir çalışma dolayısıyla olduğu söylendi. Çift kişilik odada kaldık, temizdi fakat oda karanlık, penceresiz ve yatak rahatsızdı. Fakat terası, hizmeti ve konumu çok iyi.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from Second Home Hostel Team on Jan 22, 2019
Bizi tercih ettiğiniz için ve geri dönüşünüz için çok teşekkür ederiz. Yaşadığınız problemlerden dolayı üzgünüz. Malesef bölgedeki şebeke suyu kesikti ve çalışma beklenilenden uzun sürdü.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Second Home Team on Jan 13, 2019
Thank you for staying with us! :)

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Personal muy amable, y localización geográfica inmejorable
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018
Response from secondhometeam on Jan 5, 2019
Muchas gracias por estar con nosotros. Nos alegra que te haya gustado nuestro albergue!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
コスパ良し
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018
Response from secondhometeam on Jan 4, 2019
Thank you so much!! :)

10/10 Excellent

Kin Cheong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
Response from JHON on Aug 2, 2018
thank you so much stayed ın our hostel we hope to see you again soon

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Response from Second Home Hostel Team on Jan 8, 2019
Thank you. Hope to see you back!

8/10 Good

Charlotta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellet service and great location
Very nice personnel and a great location close to all the major attractions and with a lot of good restaurants just around the corner. The breakfast was quite good considering the price, including tea&coffee, cereals, bread etc... The room could have needed a renovation, but considering the price it was alright.

8/10 Good

Muggle Poy, THA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Muggle Poy
Very good location!!, friendly staffs and good service.

6/10 Okay

Nicole (46)

Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
In der Hähe der Sehenswürdigkeiten
Wir waren zu fünft auf einem Städtetripp von 5 Tagen. Das Hotel liegt sehr zentral und ist vom Flughafen auf dem Asiatischen Teil gut mit dem ÖV zu erreichen. Bus nach Kadiköy und dort die Fähre nach Eminönü. Das Hostel liegt imn einem Seitengässchen mit Durchgangsverkehr. Leider wurde gegenüber gebaut und dies die ganze Nacht. Wir hätten auch gerne mal neue Tüchlein gehabt. Die Zimmer sind zweckmässig aber nicht sonderlich gross. Leider hatte es bei uns im 4. Stock schlechte Gerüche aus den Abläufen im Boden der Duschen. Das Personal ist sehr hilfsbereit und freundlich, das Frühstück gut aber klein. Die Dachterrasse ist sehr angenehm. Wäre der Geruch und der Baulärm nicht gewesen - zu empfehlen für kleine Budget.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Gutes Hostel
Das Second Home Hostel isr recht sauber, die Zimmer sind klein, aber ausreichend. Die Lage ist top, nur wenige Meter vom Topkapı-Palast entfernt. Die Mitarbeiter sind sehr nett und hilfreich.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hostel with nice atmosphere
Nice common area by the entrance. Welcoming staff and good service. Room was clean and the right size. Shared bathroom perhaps a little small, but functional. The area is relatively quiet, but very touristy. The hostel is located near some of the major sights and transportation (tram/boats). Very convenient. Wi-Fi was also working from room.

8/10 Good

Simon, Ambilly (Haute savoie)FR

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Second home hotel:Simple,accueillant,convivial!
Hôtel parfait à tout point de vues! Le personnel est adorable,les chambres sont minimalistes mais très bien tenues! Rapport qualité/prix intérressant pour le secteur. Le barbecue du samedi soir proposé sur la terrasse est un souvenir inoubliable et enrichissant pour celui qui aime la rencontre d'hôtes venus des quatres coins du monde;en plus bon et pas cher! Pour ceux qui souhaitent découvrir le quartier ancien ,et plus encore(liaison toute proche du pont de Galata pour rejoindre la ville moderne et proximité aussi pour les bateaux qui desservent toutes les rives de cette immense et somptueuse ville surprenante ,dynamique ou chaque pas effectués vous conduisent de surprises en surprises!).

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
aardig hostel
De prijs kwaliteitverhouding was niet optimaal. Wij vonden het te duur voor wat wij kregen. Kamer zonder badkamer hadden wij gereserveerd, deze was erg klein en zonder veel comfort. De service was in orde, het had na ons idee meer iets weg van een feest hostel. Heel mooi dakterras, jammer dat het niet schoon was.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort