The Pool at Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

"Residence of the last Ottoman sultans, the hotel that you see today is actually two buildings: the faithfully restored stone-and-marble sultan's palace (housing the VIP suites) and the modern five-star deluxe hotel, both standing majestically on the shores of the Bosphorus and presiding over a magnificent collection of sculpted lawns, marble gates, a waterside swimming pool, and even a putting green"

"View the entire 2011 Gold List of the world's best places to stay › Also appeared in the Gold List in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Amenities: Pool, Spa"

"The best things about the place are its location right on the Bosphorus and its amazing infinity pool"

"It wows guests at every turn, from the sprawling, manicured grounds, to the heated infinity pool right on the Bosphorus, to the refined suites"

"It’s hard not to feel like royalty as you stroll through the expansive property, where palms, pools, landscaped gardens, and hammock-dotted paths front the Bosporus"