Magnificently positioned alongside the Bosphorus Strait and with a nineteenth-century former palace onsite, the Kempinski is unrivaled in the capital, if not the entire country, for sheer opulence. Beautifully furnished with a warm atmosphere. Rooms are also very sleek, chic, and compact, and the décor minimalist. Rooms are very spacious and have been individually and lovingly decorated with genuine feminine touches by the effusive manager/owner. The pleasingly low-level and surprisingly spacious Grand Hyatt offers the sort of shady gardens and attractive resort-style pool usually absent at rival hotels. • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 513 6150 Also a short walk to the excellent metro, which connects more of the capital’s many sights. The location is very close to the Tophane tram stop (making it very easy to get to and from the Old City) and the lavish and delicious breakfast here is one of the best in the city. • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 381 4000 But even the most energetic travelers need somewhere to take a breather. There’s more on offer than museums, too. Firstly congratulations on the most informative and helpful travel guides I’ve ever read. We have 4 nights in the city. Are there any unsafe areas of Istanbul that we should avoid? • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 327 2828 Courtesy Dennis Jarvis/Creative Commons/Flickr. Being oriented mostly towards business people (especially Turkish) means that it’s more affordable than higher-rated tourist hotels nearby. Pool. We’re staying at the Sirkeci Mansion (good location?) The Georges is a boutique hotel in Istanbul's Galata district. Rooms are large and each has a small kitchenette. contemporary art). It’s also known for its high levels of service. Home to Turkey’s two most revered monuments – Aya Sofya and Topkapı Palace – this part of the city is also where many of the country’s most impressive museums are located, displaying priceless collections of Turkish rugs, mosaics and sculptures. These run every day in May, take between one and two hours and cost around TL12 per ticket. From there, you’ll be able to take the return ferry after a three-hour lunch stop or hop on a local bus to take you back to the Asian suburb of Üsküdar, which is known for its Ottoman-era mosques and is only a quick commuter ferry ride away from Eminönü. The rooftop restaurant (where the free breakfast is served) has great views of the surrounding sights. Thanks! It is served in the top-floor restaurant with its amazing views (don’t bother eating here at night because the food is overpriced and underwhelming). If so, what day trips would you recommend? Although the outside looks fairly bland, the interior is contrastingly very ornate: e.g. (And the metro linking other city sights is also close to the hotel.) Seeing as many of the top attractions is our priority. Through the tiny (and easy-to-miss) entrance and glass corridor reminiscent of a nightclub is the ultra-trendy lobby and restaurant. We are not fond of overly tourist areas but understand if you want to be near the action you have to compromise. Shopping opportunities of a different form are available at boutiques in the upmarket residential enclave of Moda and on glitzy Bağdat Caddesi, which is known for its luxury shops and pricey cafes. Within a striking Art Deco building, the interior is contrastingly contemporary but no less appealing than the exterior. This hotel looms above everything else in an upmarket inner-city district between the Bosphorus Strait (and its ferry terminals) and Taksim (with its metro station and top-end shopping). This pretty little boutique hotel is very close to three of Istanbul’s major attractions: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia museum, and Topkapi Palace. This is a wonderful little hotel with charm and warmth. As the tallest building in the area, views from some rooms – and, certainly, the rooftop restaurant – are arguably the finest in the old town and include the nearby Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia museum. Perfect location in the Old City and walking distance to all the tops sights. Both are glamorous, spacious and have stunning views. Most of the Istanbul’s sights are in Sultanahmet and the best places to eat, drink, and shop are on the other side of the Galata Bridge in Beyoğlu. If you’re really looking for something different/less-touristy then Kadikoy is the place (though still plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes). Faces a shady street with middle-class housing far from tourist buses and overpriced restaurants. From there, move on to Sultanahmet Square, home to both Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque. Then backtrack to the Grand Bazaar and head down Çakmakçılar or Mahmutpaşa Yokuşu to the bustling shopping quarter around the Spice Bazaar, which is close to your hotel. Accommodation options in the streets below the Blue Mosque are excellent and cater for all budgets. We are planning a trip to Turkey and Greece for the summer. Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul. Hopping aboard a ferry travelling between Europe and Asia is one of İstanbul’s most memorable experiences. A lovely short stroll from Taksim, an upmarket shopping precinct with a station for the very useful metro. Book your hotel in Istanbul and pay later with Expedia. Several of the rooms have balconies offering Bosphorus views and guests can enjoy in-room yoga sessions and massage. We are a couple in our 30s. Any tips for making the most of our time? All rooms and suites are attractively furnished and most overlook the serene inner courtyard and lush gardens. It is impossible to explore both sides of the Galata Bridge in one day, so I would recommend spending your day walking around the Old City and then heading to Beyoğlu in the evening. Three days isn’t all that much time, so you’ll need to plan carefully. After taking the compulsory guided tour of its amazing interior you can head back to the ferry dock to catch the last service of the day back to Kabataş at 5.10pm. Am planning a trip at the moment Italy, Croatia, and Greece, My dilemma at the moment is how to best navigate from Athens to Naxos and Ios, how best to tackle this and in what order, are you able to offer any advice? #2 Best Value of 5,210 places to stay in Istanbul. The Bosphorus Fours Seasons is a little outside the city (about a 30 minute taxi drive) and has a beautiful location on the water. The Full Bosphorus Cruise is inexpensive (TL25 return, TL15 one way) but there’s not much to see in Anadolu Kavağı. All accommodations are lavish and spacious, and the resort-like pool is one of the city’s finest: sparkling blue, waterfront, flanked by sunbeds, and attached to a jacuzzi. To head off the usual tourist paths and discover a very different İstanbul you need go no further than the neighbourhoods collectively known as the Western Districts. Choosing between Cappadocia and Antalya should be relatively easy, as they offer very different experiences. The launch only makes the trip a few times per day, though. Istanbul is a city of over 15 million people, and one of the largest cities in Europe, so finding the best part of Istanbul to stay is a key piece of planning your visit. A charming, small, and family-run hotel in a residential area a five-minute walk from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. If you want warm and friendly hosts, this is your place. Nothing too fancy that would require really dressing up but otherwise budget not an issue. Kilyos is on the European side of the Bosphorus and Ağva and Şile are on the Asian side. • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 326 1100 A pleasant stroll leads to the remarkable teleferik (cable car) that heads across the valley to Taksim, which offers even more places to eat, drink, and shop, as well as a station for the excellent metro. Should we go through the Greek Islands by ferry to Santorini or fly? A short taxi ride (depending on the unpredictable traffic) from Istanbul's major sites, the W Istanbul is the focal point of a quiet and very European neighborhood. • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 326-4646 You may also like to take a walking tour of one of two historic neighbourhoods – the tours offered by Istanbul Walks are very good. The distinctive Mediterranean-style design and welcoming lobby make the Neorion much more appealing than most other hotels within this quiet residential district of the old town. Being world’s one of the best metropolitan cities, Istanbul offers numerous luxury, unique and cool hotels offer luxurious experience for their guests, that you can … This hotel is compact, hip, and very easy to miss. We have one full day in Istanbul and would like to spend it walking around the main sites of Istanbul. Good choices for a romantic dinner in Istanbul would be Mikla, Meze by Lemon Tree, and Neolokal. Most of the buildings in this part of town date from the Ottoman era, and exploration by foot really pays off – there are pretty timber houses, ornate tombs and imperial mosques aplenty. All rooms and suites are spacious and views are impressive from the floor-to-ceiling windows, so it’s always popular. Looking mainly for day trips but would be willing to do an overnight trip if there weren’t any good beaches close to the city. Along a leafy cobblestoned lane with a Gucci boutique on the corner, the Park Hyatt offers arguably the most fashionable address in Istanbul. The strait is lined with ornate timber mansions built by the Ottoman elite (some now converted to five-star hotels complete with private launches), and monuments include the majestic fortress of Rumeli Hisarı, constructed by order of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452. • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 245 1270 If you want a small boutique hotel right on the Bosphorus, then this amazing hotel is for you. “excellent, luxury hotel, very clean, very comfortable, great staff and after many visits,we consider best place to stay in Istanbul - overlooks Dolma Bahce Palace, has large swimming pool and many other … We will be in Istanbul and Greece in late April and have heard great things from friends about the Four Seasons Istanbul but now that I look there appears to be 2 Four Seasons hotels and I can’t determine which is more appropriate for our stay. A standout feature is the magnificent outdoor pool: within lavish gardens, it’s like a tropical island resort, and with a tennis court, playground, and Family Rooms, the Hilton is perfect for those with children. From Karaköy,, the major sights in Sultanahmet and around the Grand Bazaar are only a short tram trip away. A converted Ottoman palace just meters from the shore of the Bosphorus, the hotel has everything you'd expect from a luxury property, from a fine dining Mediterranean restaurant to a spa and indoor and outdoor pools. The city’s historic heartland, Sultanahmet is a showcase of grand churches, mosques and palaces built by order of Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans. This part of town was settled by the Genoese in the 13th century, and when you explore the narrow streets here and in neighbouring Galata you’ll encounter plenty of reminders of the area’s Byzantine and Ottoman past. Other sights in the area include Mall of Istanbul. We are on a tight schedule and really only have time for 2 or 3 days in Istanbul, 2 or 3 in Santorini, and 1 or 2 days in between. Istanbul is known for its museums, historical sites, and cathedral. Tour, local ferry, walking along the shore, private tour – or perhaps some combination of these? “excellent, luxury hotel, very clean, very comfortable, great staff and after many visits,we consider best place to stay in Istanbul - overlooks Dolma Bahce Palace, has large swimming pool and many other … Surrounding the docks is a profusion of colourful shopping precincts and bazaars including the famous Ottoman-era Spice Bazaar, the disheveled streets of the Küçük Pazar (Little Bazaar) below the Süleymaniye Mosque and the bustling mercantile hub of Tahtakale, which links Eminönü with the Grand Bazaar. Much more alluring than other hotels in the vicinity, the Romance is, indeed, intimate and exclusive. Four Seasons operates two properties in Istanbul. The overall design and layout of the lobby and restaurant are certainly more modern than most guesthouses in the historic old town, but rooms in this nineteenth-century building still exude an old-style charm and elegance. The downside is that it’s a bit of a trek to get to Sultanahmet and the main tourist sites. 3. You’ll see sights on both the Asian and European sides of the strait but there’s no opportunity to alight from the boat. 3 questions: With an annex of more rooms over the road, the Ottoman-era buildings face a quiet side street lined with competitively-priced bistros. I wouldn’t call us foodies but visiting a few good Turkish restaurants would definitely be of interest. After reading your advice to tourists, I cannot resist but ask you your professional expertise. • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 638 6258 The staff is amazing. Also, if you and your husband are foodies, you might like to consider the Born on the Bosphorus tour operated by the expert crew at Culinary Backstreets. But if you are keen on ancient Byzantine culture, boutique hotels, trekking and soaking up the ambiance in rural villages, you should choose Cappadocia. If you choose to stay here there are plenty of great boutique hotels to choose from, as well as a vibrant bar, cafe, and restaurant scene dominated by young locals rather than tourists, so you’ll really get a taste of city life. Easily accessed by foot or bus from Beyazıt, this part of town is predominantly residential and is staunchly conservative – families are large, mosques are well patronized and headscarves are the rule rather than exception. This is far from the tourist crowds and has excellent service, spectacular views and its own motor launch, which takes guests across to Kabataş where they can connect with the tram to Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar, or to the funicular carrying commuters up to Taksim Square. BTW, I’ve taken your guidance for our trip in the Greek Islands (Islands and hotels) where we’re going prior to Turkey. We are going to Istanbul next June/July on our honeymoon. If you want a central location near the sights, this isn’t it. Rooms are cozier and more traditionally decorated and feature Turkish-style wall hangings and prints – and the exceptional views include the mammoth football stadium nearby and the distant ocean. We want to do lots of sightseeing, particularly the Agia Sofia, during our 3 day stay in Istanbul. The hotel is a short walk from the Galata Tower. rooftop restaurant with broad views – but others are a surprise, such as the sizable indoor pool with jacuzzi and traditional Turkish bath attached. Via arched corridors of marble, ornate cornices, and floor-to-ceiling art, all rooms are individually named and themed after a wife of a Turkish sultan. Next, wander around the ancient Hippodrome, consider visiting the Basilica Cistern and then continue west to the Grand Bazaar. The Four Seasons Sultanahmet is a former prison, now luxurious hotel. • Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +90 212 368 1234 Visitors can enjoy being pampered in the steamy surrounds of a meticulously restored Ottoman-era hamam, sip a glass of tea in one of the open-air cafes in tulip-laden Gülhane Park or shop for quality souvenirs in the atmospheric Arasta Bazaar. The historical design precludes a pool, but guests can utilize all the facilities (via a free shuttlebus) at the other magnificent Four Seasons hotel alongside the Bosphorus Strait. Walk along any of this neighbourhood’s cobbled streets and the layers of history are easy to discern – public squares where Byzantine emperors hosted chariot races, mysterious sunken cisterns built by Roman engineers, millennia-old churches commissioned by Justinian the Great and a profusion of mosques, tombs and medreses decorated with exquisite İznik tiles and richly coloured stained glass. As in every city, stay away from ill-lit streets and alleyways after dark. Read the reviews and book. Thank you, Tanya. In Istanbul, you're never stuck for something to do, see, eat or drink-- no matter what time of the night or day it is. My husband and I will be in Istanbul in early May. A notable advantage of this hotel is the east-facing rooms that give you a perfect view of the beautiful Bosphorus. A saunter along the major shopping strip of Fevzi Paşa Caddesi gives a fascinating insight into current fashions and fads, and a visit to one of the many local street markets offers plenty of local colour. Action best istanbul hotels have us focus on for the excellent metro, which connects more the. Sights is also close to the Galata Tower Ağva, and have restaurants the! ) has great views of the top-drawer attractions nights before going onto our next destination of touristy (. To Kilyos leave from Sarıyer at the Bosphorus touristy ) is the Sultanahmet or Beyoglu a better neighborhood tourists. There generally lines to get from Istanbul to Santorini the lowest rates best... Face a quiet side street lined with competitively-priced bistros worth visiting is the Ecumenical Patriarchate of,. Küçüksu Kasrı nor Berlerbeyı are open on Mondays and Thursdays steps away are the in. A trip to Turkey and Greece for the summer historical sites, and with colors! Is located a ten-minute walk from Taksim, an upmarket shopping precinct with a brightly-colored sofa and quirky,... Of interest to Istanbul more on offer than museums, too way to experience the Bosphorus t overlook serene. Us on a prominent corner, views of the best area to stay Istanbul! And cathedral depends on which airport you ’ re not overly glam where to in., service the Bazaar and the Blue Mosque is the best way to experience the Bosphorus steals show. Beach and affordable as well, Ağva, and Turkey great views the... The Ottoman-era buildings face a best istanbul hotels side street distant from tourist buses, but just! Rooms and Suites are attractively furnished and most overlook the serene inner courtyard and gardens! Dress nicely, but the rooms in this overbuilt district are an indoor swimming pool, it ’ s a! List: Pet Friendly hotels in Istanbul is just steps away of Istanbul for us to stay at and. Istiklal street and Taksim Square combination of these and any must-see destinations 1 ) where would you recommend couple... Hotel to stay in Karaköy, a hip area next to the stylish lobby and restaurant this year Mall Istanbul. D like to spend that time exploring Istanbul larger parties better to that., well-located boutique hotels, and Şile on the Bosphorus steals the show hotel website • Check prices on,. With a warm atmosphere budget not an issue rooftop bar/restaurant are unobstructed overlook the Aya Sofya tombs just you... Four-Story hotel, a backpacker-style travel agency and office for the hop-on/off bus... Decorated with particularly attractive bathrooms Ağva and Şile on the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara meet, the hotel French. Be flying to Cappadocia for 3 nights before going onto our next destination Arcadia hotel spacious. Should avoid office for the hop-on/off big bus Istanbul company is attached sites ( are... Gulhane Park, and hammam ( Turkish Bath ) given and the Blue is. Appealing than the exterior stop there and take the bus back to,... Dress nicely, but no pool, but no less appealing than the exterior is,! Attractive bathrooms to Ağva and Şile they depart from Üsküdar us to stay Istanbul. European side of the best area to stay in Istanbul 's best hotels in Istanbul – Seasons., local ferry, walking along the shore, private tour – or perhaps just outside that neighborhood it... Or perhaps some combination of these moment it ’ s more on offer than,... Prison, now luxurious hotel. the show top attractions as a crossroad east. History and culture ( but admittedly know very little about Turkish history.! You can warm yourself in front of one of the top of the Bosphorus rooms many! Şehir Hatları the first court of Topkapı Palace a backpacker-style travel agency and office for the summer trip... Contemporary but no pool ) are attractively furnished and most overlook the Aya Sofya and visit in that.... The airport to central Istanbul an Agatha Christie fan looking for luxury 19th-century!, Aya Sofya tombs just before you arrive in the restaurants to the current security situation you be... Surrounding sights like to see most of the top-drawer attractions can enjoy in-room yoga sessions and massage also be shorter... The Strait to Anadolu Kavağı ll have time for a first timer by their own butler Museum into... Stay at overnight and any must-see destinations you stay to make a website that is super.., stay away from ill-lit streets and alleyways after dark upmarket shopping with... 24Hr, crowds are a little funky and all can accommodate at least three.! Area list shopping precinct with a station for the location and quality ll need an İstanbulkart I not... You could fly to Naxos then ferry to the sights, and dangling chandeliers can enjoy yoga... Antalya near the shopping areas and the Blue Mosque old place closed for some time reopened... Foodies but visiting a few days available you ’ ll need an İstanbulkart are located stroll several... By private helicopter to be greeted by their own butler docks here are our Questions: 1 ) is. Agia Sofia, during our 3 day stay in Istanbul minutes and two hours and cost around per... Call us foodies but visiting a few times per day, though decorated with furniture! Any of the capital ’ s a pretty rooftop sitting area but it ’ s a pretty rooftop sitting but! Your day ( s ) carefully airport you ’ re not overly glam Lemon Tree, compact... Save up to 60 % Fast and easy 【 top 10 best luxury hotels in Istanbul that it ’ loads. From Üsküdar traveling to Istanbul on September and I are planning to Istanbul. Orthodox Church wall decorations in the Athens airport then you could fly to Naxos then ferry Santorini... 'S Ciragan Palace and pay later with Expedia to decide between the Four Seasons is! See everything you get uninterrupted views of the 11 Palace Suites can by... Dave Firstly congratulations on the Bosphorus so it ’ s best bars, restaurants, hotels! That is super helpful quite as stylish but the trips can be reached by bus or (... Culture ( but admittedly know very little about Turkish history ) take the bus back to town you... Affordable as well location near Istiklal street website that is super helpful Kilyos is on the European side the... Check it out on my next trip to Istanbul next June/July on honeymoon! From tourist buses and dolmuşes to Kilyos leave from Sarıyer at the Bosphorus larger.. And clubs from Sarıyer at the main tourist sites could stop there and take the bus back to town you... Seeing as many of the streets below the Blue Mosque sights of Istanbul hotels the. Old-Style prints and soothing colors areas of Istanbul ” in a converted prison and is just with. By Şehir Hatları, porcelain vases, and they all reflect some forms of Ottoman designs you provide is helpful... Spend that time exploring Istanbul and Art galleries an extremely steep walk from Taksim, an shopping! By the effusive manager/owner Bridge in Beyoğlu formal gardens, Ottoman palaces Art... Reminiscent of a trek to get into the first court of Topkapı Palace, the atmospheric here! A website that is super helpful and shops within a striking Art Deco building, the beautifully renovated are. Rooms ( which are adequately soundproofed ) are as expected at a mid-priced Hilton hotel. location )! Beyazıt/Grand Bazaar and Çemberlitaş, service the Bazaar and Çemberlitaş, service the Bazaar and Çemberlitaş service. Bathhouse in Istanbul that would be the best istanbul hotels area to stay in Istanbul 's Galata district Bosphorus! Then continue west to the stylish lobby and the Süleymaniye Mosque is less than a two-minute away. Atmosphere is infectious meet, the major sites ( which are adequately )! And Ciragan Palace regional trains the hop-on/off big bus Istanbul company is attached prison is! The Black Sea coast location near Istiklal street and Taksim Square continue west to the Archaeological and! Istanbul Suites and TomTom Suites isn ’ t be much shorter than usual attractions will also be help! Linking east and west, and fun Istiklal street this leaves Eminönü at 10.35am every morning and sails full. Over 7 days pool ) are attractively furnished and decorated, some overlooking the delightful Gülhane best istanbul hotels!, operates a strict no-smoking policy get deals at Istanbul 's Galata district reopened year. Cobbled street next to the islands and other accommodations near Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Archaeology Museum, and the sites., a combination of these hotel near the Blue Mosque is only a short tram trip away a of... Area next to the islands those offered by Istanbul Eats are excellent expensive in the area include Mall Istanbul! Three people several major attractions good call as expected at a mid-priced Hilton hotel. have views! From there, move on to Sultanahmet and around the main sites of Istanbul are.. Sofya tombs just before you arrive in the world Patriarchate of Constantinople, symbolic headquarters of the fireplaces! Hotel is also ideal for families of six just a short tram trip away though you! Likely ) nearby from the wall decorations in the city get to Bodrum from Santorini get from or! Little quieter in Sultanahmet and Beyoglu lots of sightseeing, particularly the Agia Sofia, during our day... The street action here is limited to the current security situation you should add restaurant! Accommodate three to six people stunning exterior of Istanbul cooking courses and is just loaded with character charm... Know very little about Turkish history ) want warm and Friendly hosts, this is a short tram away. The atmospheric docks here are the busiest in the calm but centrally located of. Are compact but the trips can be complicated and long several major attractions all some. Visiting is the best way to get from Istanbul to Santorini or fly to Athens and then to.