Accommodations in Istanbul

• Hotel rating: HR1

Located in the heart of the city, the neoclassical Four Seasons Istanbul building was once a Turkish penitentiary. Just steps from the Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the Marmara Sea. The rooms and suites are set around an open courtyard which provides an intimate atmosphere amid the bustling old town. Features: 76 rooms & suites; restaurant; courtyard; lounge and rooftop lounge; health club; access to the pool and the facilities at the Spa at another Four Seasons hotel in Istanbul. Room amenities: air conditioning; television; DVD player; telephone; in-room safe; minibar; coffee facilities; hairdryer.

• Hotel rating: HR4

Situated in the heart of the Sultanahmet area in Istanbul, the Avicenna Hotel is a converted 19th century traditional Ottoman wooden house which was completely renovated and refurbished in 2008. All 48 rooms retain their authentic Ottoman style but blended with modern amenities such as LCD television, air conditioning, direct dial phone, mini-bar and safe. The hotel has a restaurant with outdoor terrace which serves Turkish and international cuisine or enjoy a traditional afternoon coffee at the inner Garden café.

• Hotel rating: HR2

The Cirigan Palace Kempinski hotel combines a splendid 18th century palace with a modern hotel building next door. Both buildings are situated on the shores of the Bosphorus within walking distance of the harbour-side district of Ortakoy, an area full of restaurants and shops. Each of the comfortable 315 rooms has air-conditioning, satellite television, mini-bar, en-suite bathroom and hair dryer. The hotel also has 3 restaurants, a bar and a wine cellar. In addition leisure facilities include a fitness centre and a traditional Turkish bath.

• Hotel rating: HR3

Built in the traditional style of an Ottoman mansion, the boutique Sirkeci Konak is located in the historic centre of Istanbul, a 10-minute walk from Topkapi Palace. The hotel combines Turkish and contemporary décor whilst the restaurant serves regional Turkish cuisine either in the dining room or alfresco on the rooftop terrace. Enjoy complimentary tea and snacks in the living room every afternoon. Features: 32 rooms; 2 restaurants; bar; indoor swimming pool; wellness centre including Turkish bath; restaurant; terrace bar. Room amenities: air conditioning; satellite television; in-room safe; hairdryer; tea and coffee facilities.

• Hotel rating: HR2

With impressive views of the city and the Bosphorus, The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul is just a short taxi ride away from the Sultanahmet district and historic old town of the city. Drawing inspiration from the Ottoman period, the hotel décor is an interesting mixture of old and modern features. The 244 rooms each have air-conditioning, minibar and a safe. The Cintemani Restaurant offers a mix of contemporary Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine and the RC Bar offers the largest collection of single malt whiskies in Istanbul. Leisure facilities include a Turkish hamman, an indoor swimming pool and spa.

• Hotel rating: HR1

The 5-star de luxe Four Seasons at the Bosphorus is located on the European bank of the Bosphorus offering superb views of Istanbul. A former 19th century Ottoman Palace has classic décor with Ottoman influences. The hotel restaurant overlooks the Bosphorus and offers fine cuisine with Italian and Turkish specialities. Features: 195 rooms & suites; restaurant; pool grill; lounge; wine bar; swimming pool; hammam spa; fitness centre and swimming pool. Room amenities: air conditioning; satellite television; Wi-Fi; in-room safe; minibar; hairdryer.

• Hotel rating: HR4

The Celal Sultan Hotel, situated in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district, offers comfortable accommodation and panoramic views of the Bosphorus and Hagia Sofia. The property provides a great base in the old city centre, with many historical attractions such as the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque within easy walking distance.

Features: 55 rooms, restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor terrace, Wi-Fi, complimentary afternoon refreshments.
Room amenities: Television, air conditioning, hot drinks, minibar, hairdryer.

• Hotel rating: HR3

Situated on the Asian side of Istanbul in the Uskudar area, the Bosphorus Palace offers a fantastic view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Built in Neo-Ottoman style, the architecture and furniture reflect historic Turkish culture. The restaurant serves national and international cuisine; other facilities include minibar, safety box, air conditioning and wireless internet.

• Hotel rating: HR3

The Eresin Crown is a boutique hotel located within the historic area of Sultanahmet, and is just a short walk from the Blue Mosque. The hotel has 60 rooms, and offers one indoor and one terrace restaurant, as well as a separate bar.

• Hotel rating: HR2

The 88 room Park Hyatt - Macka Palas is located in the Nisantasi residential and shopping district of Istanbul. The hotel combines the historic architecture of an Art Deco palace with innovative interior design. There is a restaurant which serves international cuisine and offers guests the choice of al-fresco dinning. The hotel has an extensive spa with treatment rooms and Turkish Hammams.

• Hotel rating: HR2

Located in the Akaretler district of Istanbul, known for its destination restaurants, bars and cafes, W Istanbul is in close proximity to the Bosphorus Strait and Nisantasi, the city’s most fashionable shopping district. The hotel is situated close to the Dolmabahce Palace and the Museum of Painting and Sculpture and a short drive from the Old City, the Blue Mosque and the Istanbul Modern Art Museum. Combining authentic Ottoman-style design with the signature design elements of the W brand, including the W Lounge experience, where guests and locals can socialize, relax and unwind or recharge in a communal setting. The hotel’s restaurant, Spice Market, by Jean-Georges Vongerichten offers views of the Bosphorus whilst serving a mix of flavours from South East Asia. All 134 rooms have very modern amenities including ipod docking stations, 32" flat screen television and minibar.

• Hotel rating: HR2

Built in 1892 to accommodate passengers from the Orient Express rail service from Paris, the Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah is considered one of the finest hotels in the city. In its illustrious history, it has played host to iconic figures including Kemal Atatürk, Ernest Hemingway, Mata Hari, Greta Garbo and Agatha Christie to name but a few. Christie is rumoured to have written Murder on the Orient Express while staying in room 411. The hotel has 115 guestrooms and suites, which have been extensively refurbished in a classical style while retaining original pieces from the pre-restoration period. There are two restaurants: Agatha is named in honour of the famous writer and offers a selection of regional Turkish cuisine, and 1892 has a summer terrace with views over the Bosphorus. There is also a cocktail bar and a tea lounge with patisserie. Health facilities can be located in the extensive spa, which has a traditional Turkish hammam, sauna, treatment rooms and fitness centre.

• Hotel rating: HR3

Located in the Sultanahmet area and within walking distance of the Hagia Sofia, the Hotel Ottoman Imperial is a 4-star hotel built in the traditional Ottoman style of the early 19th century. Originally built as a school and a hospital, the building was converted into a hotel in the middle of the 20th century and furnished in a classical style. The hotel's restaurant serves traditional Turkish cuisine. Features: 49 rooms; restaurant; bar; lounge; Jacuzzi. Room amenities: air conditioning; minibar; satellite television; in-room safe; Wi-Fi; tea and coffee facilities.

• Hotel rating: HR3

The five star Swissotel The Bosphorus is situated close to the upmarket shopping district of Nisantasi, a few minutes walk away from the Bosphorus. The 497 rooms are decorated in traditional style, are soundproof and have air conditioning. The 7 restaurants serve Swiss, Turkish and international cuisine. The hotel features an indoor and an outdoor pool, a gym and an award-winning spa and wellness centre.

• Hotel rating: HR3

The Hotel Levni is a boutique style hotel located in the Sirkeci area of Istanbul with 75 guest rooms. All feature modern facilities with contemporary design. Public amenities include a restaurant, a bar and an indoor pool with sauna.

• Hotel rating: HR2

Located in the modern centre of Istanbul and close to Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, the Grand Hyatt Istanbul has 360 rooms, all of which are furnished in a modern and elegant style with light pastel colours. The rooms are equipped with individual air conditioning, high-speed Internet, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer and minibar. Public facilities include two restaurants, bar and an outdoor swimming pool, which is very unusual for a centrally located Istanbul property.

• Hotel rating: HR1

Often considered the finest hotel in Istanbul, the Hotel Les Ottomans was built in the 18th century as a seaside mansion on the shores of the Bosphorous. The hotel has been restored with interiors that shun modern minimalist styles for something altogether more theatrical. Its 10 suites are individually decorated with a chic design, where the Ottoman empire meets feng shui. Features include gold paintwork, parquet flooring, velvet-lined walls reminiscent of Venice, Iznik tiles (treasured by art enthusiasts for their rich colours and detailed patterns), mosaics, red-panelled ceilings complemented by black chandeliers, and Turkish works of art. There are also extensive spa facilities, which include a Turkish hammam, Finish sauna, whirlpool, fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and Pilates classes.

• Hotel rating: HR4

The Hotel Garden House is a boutique hotel with 24 guestrooms located in the Sultanhamet district, close to the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosques. Originally a 19th-century Ottoman mansion, the guestrooms are designed in simple pastel colours and feature original wooden furniture. The hotel's restaurant offers Turkish and international cuisine with the option of alfresco dinning on its terrace. There is a bar, which serves coffee, tea and light refreshments.

• Hotel rating: HR3

The A'jia hotel has one of the most picturesque settings of any hotel in Istanbul. Situated in a traditional Ottoman mansion, set on the waterfront of the Bosphorus, it is 23km away from the centre of the city and can be reached by a boat shuttle service. All 16 guestrooms are designed with light pastel colours or white to enhance the character of the rooms. Guests may take their breakfast on the waterside terrace or dine at the A'jia restaurant, which offers a fine selection of Mediterranean cuisine.

• Hotel rating: HR3

One of the first hotels to open on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, the hotel welcomed its first guests in 2005. The property was converted from an abandoned Ottoman distillery from the 1870s into the chic boutique property, which has won numerous awards. There are only 24 guestrooms, each with a view of the water and designed in a modern contemporary style with bare brick, exposed stonework coupled with modern amenities. The hotel's restaurant, Tapasuma, is renowned for its excellent menu of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine and there is also the option for informal dining at the waterfront cafe.

• Hotel rating: HR3

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Tom Tom suites is highly regarded in Istanbul as an excellent property with impeccable service. It is housed in an authentic Istanbul building that reflects the social history of Pera from the 1850s to recent. Throughout history, this building was home for French nuns and some well-known Levantine families. Nowadays, the building is a converted hotel with 20 guestrooms, each of which is characterised by high ceilings, wooden floors and iPod docking stations. The La Mouette restaurant offers a selection of Turkish nouvelle cuisine with excellent views over the Golden Horn, Sultanahmet and Beyoglu. The centre of new Istanbul, Taksim, is located only 1km from the hotel.

• Hotel rating: HR2

The Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul is ideally located on the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait. Set within the Besiktas district, the shopping and transport hub of Istanbul, the hotel is close to the city's financial district and the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre. Its décor has an Asian influence, a contrast to the historical façade of the hotel. Features: 186 rooms & suites; 2 restaurants; health and well-being facilities; indoor swimming pool. Room amenities: air conditioning; satellite television; Wi-Fi; in-room safe; minibar; tea and coffee facilities.

• Hotel rating: HR3

The Vault Karakoy is set in a splendidly restored building in the Karakoy district, with marble columns and high ceilings, it offers a relaxing atmosphere. The hotel is ideally located for exploring the historic district of Sultanahmet and is within walking distance of the Galata Tower, the Hagia Sophia church and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. The hotel's Kasa Lokanta restaurant serves both international and Turkish cuisine. Features: 63 rooms, restaurant, bar, spa, gym, sauna, steam rooms, garden, terrace, Room amenities: Air conditioning, flat-screen televisions, minibar, iPod docking station, Wi-Fi.

• Hotel rating: HR2

Soho House Istanbul is a private members' club that occupies the 19th century Palazzo Corpi, formerly the US consulate, in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul. The hotel is spread over are three original buildings - the Palazzo, the Chancery and the Annex - as well as the new Glass Building. All guestrooms feature original Rococo, Classic and Art Nouveau wall and ceiling paintings, all carefully restored by a team of local artisans and are complimented by a collection of contemporary art from Turkish and international artists. Dine at either Cecconi's restaurant situated in the courtyard garden or the Mandolin Terrace restaurant. Features: 87 rooms & suites, 2 restaurants, bar, terrace, spa, gym, screening room, hammam, nightclub, Wi-Fi. Room amenities: Air conditioning, television, safe, minibar, tea & coffee facilities, hairdryer.