Fodor's Expert Review Ararat Hotel

Popular with Mt. Ararat climbers, this hotel is geared to backpackers but tries harder than most places in town, making it one of the best options in the area. The lobby makes a promising start, although the rooms themselves have fairly average furniture and aging carpets. All rooms have balconies and the ones on the upper floors that face east have views of İshak Paşa Sarayı. In non-summer months, about half the rooms are used to house young schoolteachers from western Turkey who often speak English and are happy to meet visitors from around the world.