Istanbul

What was once the home of an extended Armenian family offers comfortable, stylishly decorated rooms... with vintage-looking wood and leather furniture. — Fodor's

With a funky roof terrace, comfortable rooms, friendly staff and excellent breakfasts, this hotel in the heart of Istanbul is popular with discerning city-breakers. — The Telegraph

Recently renovated and outfitted in sensitive high style with the amenities and spaces you'd expect at twice the rate. — Concierge

This charming stone-built hotel is located opposite the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. — DK Eyewitness

Conjure up images of a flickering open fire, comfy sofas, shelves stacked with copious quantities of books, and an endless supply of fresh tea and homemade cookies. — Frommer's

Rooms have been given a luxurious facelift, and although most are cramped, the sumptuous breakfast buffet and extensive facilities... compensate. — Lonely Planet

Luxury can be found elsewhere but if mystery and history appeal, you will love the atmosphere and original trappings. — DK Eyewitness

One of the world’s iconic hotels, the Pera Palace first swung open its doors in 1892 and has been a meeting point for travelers in the city for more than 100 years. — Afar Magazine

If you have no nostalgic whimsy... this is a solid high-end hotel in a central part of town. — Concierge

Extensive restoration has brought this Istanbul landmark... back to its former glory, with beautifully outfitted rooms and plenty of period decorations and antique furniture. — Fodor's

This uber-stylish ‘design hotel’ is located between the glam shopping district of Nişantaşi and the party precinct along the Bosphorus. — Lonely Planet

Rustem pasha mosque in Istanbul. This is a little mosque hidden among the busy shopping streets of Tahtakale/ Eminonu which is about five minutes walking distance from the Spice Market.... — Afar Magazine

Features an entry lounge with an "interactive art installation" mixing lights, mirrors, and video installations...and a traditional Turkish-style hammam in the W Spa. — Condé Nast Traveler

Hip hotel with Ottoman-inspired interiors and a 24-hour lounge bar, a five-minute walk from the Bosphorus. — Jetsetter

From a block of abandoned row houses built in 1875 by Sultan Abdülaziz, to a stylish Starwood-branded W Hotel targeting the young, hip, and yes, even club-going set. — Frommer's

The guest list reads like a who's who of international royalty, all lining up for a Bosphorus-view room (not all get one). — Frommer's

Once a residence for the Ottoman sultans, the late 19th-century Çırağan Palace (pronounced chi-rahn) is Istanbul's most luxurious hotel. — Fodor's

Formerly the palace of an Ottoman Sultan, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski is the grand dame of Istanbul. — Oyster

Enjoy "the ultimate Istanbul experience" at this hotel on the Bosphorus, which blends a former sultan’s palace with a modern building. — Condé Nast Traveler

Staying at this former Imperial Ottoman Palace—an elaborate, Arabian-style compound that the empire’s sultans called home—may easily give you delusions of grandeur. — Travel + Leisure

The hotel's lush garden is an extremely tranquil spot to eat breakfast, and there's also an intimate, two-level roof terrace with nice views. — Fodor's

The Empress Zoe is one of the rare places in the area to display any spark of creativity in its concept and design. — Concierge

This fabulous place is the prototype for most of Sultanahmet's boutique hotels but is unique in that it is constantly being changed and improved. — Lonely Planet

A couple of period town houses form the basis for this charmingly simple hotel. — The Telegraph

If you do strain your back on the way up, you'll be pleased to find extremely comfortable beds and loads of character when you make it to your room. — Frommer's

I promise that the best place to relax, have a twilight cocktail, and soak in the awe-inspiring sights of Istanbul is the rooftop of the Four Seasons at Sultanahmet. — Afar Magazine

A former prison just steps from Topkapı Palace and Aya Sofya is now one of Istanbul's premier accommodations, where rooms and suites are luxuriously outfitted. — Fodor's

Probably the only Four Seasons in a prison, and one of the smallest in the chain, but there's nothing confining about this 65-room hotel. — Concierge

Refined boutique hotel in the heart of the old city, a short stroll from Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. — Andrew Harper

Century-old prison turned plush Istanbul digs with manicured gardens, a roof terrace and spa. — Jetsetter

Ian Schrager's take on Ottoman opulence takes business and pleasure to new heights in Istanbul’s contemporary Levent district. — Jetsetter

An aquarium occupies an entire lobby wall at Edition Istanbul. But that’s only one of the design flourishes—silver-foil ceilings; glassed-in bathrooms—that send the 78-room hotel over the top. — Travel + Leisure

A chic, designer hotel with three-floor spa, housed in a modern tower block in Levent, one of Istanbul’s most fashionable areas. — The Telegraph

Following suit from the brand's inaugural (and now defunct) Waikiki Edition, the tranquil, monochromatic vibe is evident throughout the premises. — Fodor's

The Istanbul Edition is a sleek, 73-room luxury hotel located in the Levent, one of Istanbul's major business districts on the European side of the city. — Oyster

Its contemporary decor is understated but elegant, with particularly impressive bathrooms, and each suite is beautifully appointed. — Lonely Planet

Offers superb accommodations and authentic character, with guest rooms furnished with warm woods, textiles in natural colors, high ceilings, and original artwork. — Fodor's

Very few visitors to the exotic, ‘’Oriental’’ city of Istanbul would expect to stay in a chic hotel fashioned from a former Franciscan nunnery. — The Telegraph

This hidden gem draws high marks for the excellent service given by helpful staff, its modern, well-appointed rooms and the wonderful terrace views. — DK Eyewitness

Tomtom Suites can be described as the quintessential boutique hotel. Centrally located in a neighbourhood full of contrasts, it provides a perfect base to explore the city. — Time Out

The lobby is minimalist and very light, and oversize rooms include vintage photos by Turkish photographer Ara Güler. — Frommer's

Offers spacious, elegant rooms decked out in sleek walnut with modern amenities alongside old-fashioned touches like period chandeliers and black-and-white photographs of Istanbul. — Fodor's

You’ll find no more glamorous neighborhood than Nisantasi, with its Parisian-style cafés, recession-be-damned boutiques, and now a suitably posh hotel. — Condé Nast Traveler

Classy crash pad in Istanbul’s swankiest shopping district, with spacious rooms and hammam-style bathrooms. — Jetsetter

The Park Hyatt Macka Palas offers distinctly personalized service that highlights Istanbul’s local culture. — Afar Magazine

Housed in acharmingly traditional building, the upscale Hotel Niles Istanbul is a small family-runproperty set just two blocks from Istanbul's must-see Grand Bazaar. — Oyster

Niles is a solid, no-nonsense, family-run hotel on the fringes of the tourist heartlands of the old city, the kind of place where experienced travellers go back time after time. — The Telegraph

Serious shoppers seduced by the prospect of bunking down close to the Grand Bazaar could do a lot worse than stay in this well-run and reasonably priced place. — Lonely Planet

The plant-filled roof terrace has a lovely view of the Sea of Marmara, and service is on par with that at sister establishment Dersaadet. — Fodor's

This sister hotel to the Dersaadet Oteli is located in a working neighborhood a 3-minute walk from the Beyazit transportation hub and the Grand Bazaar. — Frommer's

Run by the Raffles Group, Swissotel is the choice of many globetrotters when in Istanbul. — DK Eyewitness

The Swissôtel is one of those brands that says quality, luxury, sophistication, and understated elegance. — Frommer's

Swisshotel The Bosphorus is one of Istanbul's most luxurious hotels, situated in 65 acres of gardens overlooking the Bosphorus. — Oyster

This "grand hotel" on a wooded hilltop sits on the gardens of Dolmabahçe Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman sultans. — Condé Nast Traveler

Contemporary hilltop hotel in a residential quarter behind the Dolmabahçe Palace, with Istanbul's largest spa. — Travel + Leisure

The Shangri-La Bosphorus is a first-rate luxury hotel housed in a former waterfront warehouse on the European side of the Bosphorus river. — Oyster

Five-star hotels have been popping up like seedlings in Istanbul in the last few years. Shangri-La Bosphorus opened in May and is one of only a handful right on the waterfront. — The Telegraph

Offering all the opulence and sophistication expected of this world-class brand, the Shangri-La Bosphorus overlooks the water, with a glittering lobby that features a two-story crystal chandelier. — Fodor's

Luxe digs on the Bosphorus, with palatial rooms, a world class spa and a destination Cantonese restaurant. — Jetsetter

It may take a knock for its lack of outdoor space, but if one must watch the Bosphorus Strait from indoors, there is no better place than the Shangri La. — Condé Nast Traveler

Dersaadet means "place of happiness" in Ottoman Turkish and this small, cozy hotel lives up to its name—rooms have an elegant, even plush, feel. — Fodor's

Roughly translated, the Turkish word 'Dersaadet' means 'Place of Happiness' – and you will indeed be happy if you stay here. — Lonely Planet

In Turkish, Dersaadet means "place of felicity and beauty" -- an appropriate designation for this handsome hotel fashioned in the style of a 19th-century Ottoman house. — Frommer's

The Dersaadet Hotel Istanbul is a cozy, upscale property set in a remodeled 19th-century Ottoman-style inn. — Oyster

To convert a 19th-century Istanbul distillery into a boutique hotel, owner-architects Mark and Nedret Butler looked to the Bosporus for inspiration. — Travel + Leisure

What was once a derelict distillery on the Asian waterfront of the Bosphorus is now one of Istanbul's most chic and original places to stay, with comfortable rooms and suites. — Fodor's

Istanbul’s Asian coast, lined with wooden yali... has charming little neighborhoods, including bustling Çengelköy, now the site of one of the city’s most luxurious small hotels. — Condé Nast Traveler

One of Istanbul's most talked-about boutique hotels, the recently refurbished Sumahan on the Water hugs the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in the village of Çengelköy. — Concierge

Attractive hotel in a three-story former raki distillery at the water’s edge on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. — Andrew Harper

The comfortable and inviting room decor emphasizes local character, while the bustling, ornate lobby and warm, helpful staff convey feelings of refined luxury. — Fodor's

The Ottoman interiors go well beyond the usual sateen... to lend a more oriental, and regal, sense to the decor. — Frommer's

The owners of this terrific hotel overlooking Gülhane Park know what keeps guests happy – rooms are impeccably clean, well sized and loaded with amenities. — Lonely Planet

The Sirkeci Mansion hotel has built a very good reputation on the solid foundations of sound management and consistently good service. — The Telegraph

All rooms feature a balcony with the best views overlooking the Bosphorus and the Princes’ Islands. — Wallpaper

Opulent, ultra-mod newcomer overlooking the Bosphorus with a rooftop cinema, lavish spa and Michelin-starred chef. — Jetsetter

Raffles Istanbul is a five-pearl property with dramatic, art-filled interiors situated in an upscale mall and residential complex, about a 30-minute drive from the top tourist sights. — Oyster

Outside of sleeping in Istanbul’s iconic Grand Bazaar, the new Raffles is as close as one can get to the city’s great shopping: The lobby connects to the Zorlu Center, a... — Afar Magazine

Unlike the majority of luxury hotels in Istanbul, Raffles does not pay homage to the city’s bygone Byzantine and Ottoman eras, but stands instead as a symbol of a modern, self-confident Turkey. — The Telegraph

Originally the Ottoman Bank, Vault Karaköy by House Hotels in Istanbul has kept its classic architecture and charming historic features (including the eponymous vaults) but added plenty... — Mr & Mrs Smith

The hotel's 63 rooms walk the line between elegant and contemporary with tall arched windows, and frescoed ceilings, and dark-stained wide-plank timber floors. — Travel + Leisure

A mid-19th-century bank building near the Galata Bridge combines historical accents and contemporary design in comfortable, attractive rooms spread over two separate buildings. — Fodor's

The 63-room Vault Karakoy is a luxury boutique hotel situated in a former bank. — Oyster

Three or more nights in Istanbul's Karaköy, in a chic, design-savvy hotel, with breakfast and a welcome drink. — Jetsetter

Hip urban crash pad with designer digs by Philippe Starck, cuisine by Michelin-starred chefs and a rooftop bar. — Jetsetter

This slick addition to the city's hotel scene is daringly located on the top three floors of the Demirören shopping mall. — Frommer's

Mama Shelter is a popular choice among younger travellers to Istanbul, offering kooky, Philippe Starck-designed interiors, cheery staff, excellent dining and DJ sets in the bar. — The Telegraph

Smack in the middle of Istanbul's entertainment district, the celebrated Philippe Starck–designed Parisian boutique hotel brand presents its first foray outside France. — Fodor's

The French Mama Shelter hotels have a new Turkish sibling. — Wallpaper

Service here is exemplary, rooms are luxurious and the setting on the Bosphorus is truly magical. — Lonely Planet

Adjacent to the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, and nearly as costly, this Four Seasons property is as elegantly restrained as the Kempinski is glamorously over-the-top. — Travel + Leisure

This nineteenth-century Ottoman palace sits on the European bank of the Bosphorus Strait and has "magnificent views" of the hills of Asia. — Condé Nast Traveler

Restored 19th-century palace converted to contain guest rooms and suites, a quarter of which have views across the sea to the shoreline of Asia. — Andrew Harper

This restored 19th-century Ottoman palace with two modern wings exudes luxury. — Fodor's

The Marmara Taksim is a five-pearl hotel situated in eastern Istanbul on Taksim Square. — Oyster

The Marmara is an excellent choice for those traveling for business or pleasure, particularly for its towering location above central and bustling Taksim Square. — Frommer's

Perfectly positioned overlooking Taksim Sq, this very popular hotel is an Istanbul institution. — Lonely Planet

The rooms here are extremely comfortable and beautifully decorated. — DK Eyewitness