PERA PALACE HOTEL
Mesrutiyet Str. 98/100, Tepebasi,
T 90 212 222 8090
www.perapalace.com
At the Pera Palace, most famous Istanbul hotel, you’ll find 1920s style Art Nouveau décor. It’s amazing history is intriguing… Greta Garbo, Alfred Hitchcock, Jackie Onassis, Matahari, and Agatha Christie (she left her typewriter in the main hall) all stayed here. The hotel was built in 1892 to house passengers of the Orient Express. It’s survived two world wars, the decline of the Ottoman Empire, and Istanbul’s changing economic, political and social conditions.
THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
Tevkifhane Sokak 1,
T 90 212 638 8200
www.fourseasons.com/istanbul
The Four seasons Hotel, which was originally built as a prison in the early 20th Century now provides ultimate luxury and the opposite of what you’d think you’d find in a prison. Spacious rooms, decadent marble baths, top quality service, and understated elegance in its decor. The hotel is really central in the old city and close to everything; just remember to book early, as it stays full of lucky guests.
CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKY
Çırağan Cd,
T 90 212 326 4646
www.kempinski-istanbul.com
The palace, built by Sultan Abdülâziz, was designed by the famous Armenian palace architect Nigoğayos Balyan and constructed by his sons Sarkis and Hagop Balyan between 1863 and 1867. This was a period in which all Ottoman sultans used to build their own palaces rather than using those of their ancestors. One of the most stunning hotels in Istanbul, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski was once the home of Ottoman sultans…the only Imperial Palace to become a hotel in Turkey. It’s dramatically situated on the shores of the Bosphorus and offers outstanding views, especially from any of the hotel restaurants. Take a swim in the pool with Bosphorus and Palace views…you might find it hard to leave the grounds.
A’JIA
Cubuklu Caddesi 27,
T 90 216 413 9300
www.ajiahotel.com
Although it’s on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, the A’jia Hotel offers a speedboat shuttle to the European side. Other than that amenity, you’ll be awestruck over the amazing former summer mansion perched directly on the water. With a slick and modern decor with clean lines, plush bedding, luxurious bathrobes and slippers, DVD Player and many other sensational room amenities, plus a restaurant right on the water, you might not want to leave this amazing getaway from the city.
WITT ISTANBUL SUITES
Defterdar Yokusu
No. 26, T 90 212 393 7900
www.wittistanbul.com
From US$250
A real oasis of peace near the heart of Istanbul, the Witt has superb interior design throughout and an excellent staff, extremely helpful with restaurants and directions. This ultra smooth hotel is quite rare for a boutique hotel and offers huge lofty spaces, understated and stylish modern design and furniture, and magical views of the Bosphorus and Old Istanbul from many rooms.
MISAFIR SUITES
Gazeteci Erol Dernek Sok.
No: 1 Beyoglu,
T 90 212 249 89 30
www.misafirsuites.com
From US$210
The neighborhood of Beyoglu is a bit like the old Soho in New York before commercial businesses moved in. Trendy, stylish, and a little rough around the edges. It’s full of artists, musicians, and packed with the best antique shops, galleries, jazz clubs, and nightlife. Misafir is a converted apartment block centrally located in Istanbul. The price is affordable but you’ll get a courteous and helpful staff to help you around the city. You’ll find a hip and fun restaurant in the building… it’s a great place to grab a drink or a quick bite on your way out or back up to your room for a rest. The rooms are amazingly spacious for the price but book way in advance, as there are only 7 suites.
HOTEL EMPRESS ZOE
10 Akbiyik Cadessi,
Adliye Sokak,
T 90 212 518 2504
www.emzoe.com
From US$210
Named after an infamous Byzantine queen, the Empress Zoe is a small hotel that packs in quite a lot of tasteful glamour and luxury. The hotel is laid out through a number of wood and brick houses and part of the hotel’s structural core are ancient Byzantine walls and passages, some of which can be seen from the lobby. The rooms are decorated in dark wood and richly colored textiles, and you’ll find having morning coffee in the tiny stone garden a great way to start your day. It features a hamman no longer in use, but ask for one of the guest rooms with a built-in hamman in the bathroom. End your night on the rooftop bar and take in the uninterrupted view of the Bosphorus before bed.
SUMAHAN ON THE WATER
51 Kuleli Caddesi, í‡engelköy,
T 90 216 422 8000
www.sumahan.com
This popular hotel was once an alcohol distillery. Now you’ll find the only liquid to think about is the Bosphorus, as the hotel is perched directly on the Asian shore of this amazing body of water. You’ll love that the renovations preserved an industrial feel to the place, while mixing some modern and old Ottoman touches, like the Hamman-like bathrooms. All rooms have a stunning view and most have a fireplace, perfect for a romantic getaway. The only downside of this superb hotel is the distance away from the city center… but if you don’t feel like heading back after a long day of sightseeing, the hotel offers two well-touted restaurants.
IBRAHIM PASHA
5 Terzihane Sokak,
Adliye Yani,
T 90 212 518 0394
www.ibrahimpasha.com
Stay at this lovely little hotel tucked away just up the hill from the Blue Mosque, and at dusk, watch the moon rise over the famous mosque. The four-story, century-old townhouse sits just across the street from the Museum of Turkishand Islamic Art, and thus named for the building’s original occupant. You’ll get much more for your buck here, as the rooms are spacious and decorated stylishly with plush carpets and huge windows.
ANSEN SUITES
130 Meşrutiyet Caddesi,
T 90 212 245 8808
www.ansensuites.com
Directly across the water from Sultanahment, you’ll find this small ten-room town house in Tünel, Istanbul’s most bohemian neighborhood. If you’re looking to be in a hip neighborhood, this is one of your best bets. The decor is minimalist and contemporary, and the rooms are roomy and feel like your own apartment, even with your own kitchenette. The rooms on the top floor offer excellent views of the Golden Horn. There’s a great French Bistro in the hotel, but you’ll want to head out into the neighborhood with its burgeoning nightlife and cafes.