When planning our layover in Istanbul, we found ourselves debating whether to take the plunge and book a stay at YOTEL Landside at Istanbul Airport. I’d seen all the mixed reviews floating around on Google—complaints about check-in delays, indifferent staff, and overpriced rooms—but the convenience of staying right at the airport was hard to pass up. In the end, I’m so glad we went ahead with the booking. Our experience turned out to be smooth, restful, and surprisingly pleasant—far better than I had expected after reading all those negative reviews.
First, a quick note for anyone booking: there are actually two YOTELs at Istanbul Airport. One is airside (past security), and the other is landside, before passport control. We stayed at the landside location. The signage inside the airport could be better, but once you figure it out, the walk to YOTEL Landside is not too bad—just be ready for a bit of a trek through the terminal.
We opted for the larger deluxe room, and I have to say, that choice made all the difference. The room was spacious by airport hotel standards—spacious enough, in fact, that we were able to roll our full-sized airport luggage cart right into the room. That may sound like a small detail, but when you’re dealing with heavy bags and a short stopover, it’s a huge convenience. Not having to unpack or transfer things to hand-carry bags made our next morning’s departure incredibly efficient. It’s little practical details like that which really won me over.
The room itself was clean, modern, and comfortable. What stood out immediately were the colorful LED lights installed around the room—mostly purples and soft blues—that gave the whole space a futuristic, almost cozy spaceship vibe. You can adjust the lights to suit your mood, which was a fun little touch after hours of fluorescent lighting on the plane. The bed was comfy, linens fresh, and the bathroom had good water pressure and was spotless. Despite being right at one of the busiest airports in the world, the room was surprisingly quiet. We slept well, which was ultimately the most important thing.
We didn’t dine at the hotel’s restaurant—it looked stylish and well-kept, but the prices were definitely on the higher side. Then again, that seems to be the norm at Istanbul Airport, where nearly every food outlet comes with a hefty price tag. If you’re hoping for a quick and affordable bite, the terminal offers a few more casual options, though even those aren’t exactly budget-friendly.
Speaking of the airport, Istanbul Airport is truly massive and serves as a key hub for Turkish Airlines. It’s busy at almost all hours, with flights connecting every corner of the globe. The sheer number of international passengers moving through at any given time is impressive, and it gives the whole place a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel.
One of the unexpected highlights of our stopover was the beautiful mosque located just outside the main terminal building near the airport train station. It’s serene, architecturally stunning, and a peaceful place to take a moment of quiet before or after a flight. From that same area, you can also catch the airport train, which makes getting into the city incredibly convenient if you have more time during your transit.
In the end, our stay at YOTEL Landside Istanbul Airport exceeded expectations. Yes, some travelers have had less-than-stellar experiences, and the hotel could maybe improve in a few areas like check-in speed, but our own stay was smooth, clean, and very comfortable. If you’re looking for a place to rest your head during a long connection and don’t want the hassle of leaving the airport entirely, this is a solid choice. Just be sure to book the right room—ideally one of the larger ones—and your transit experience might end up being far more relaxing than you imagined.
