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WHERE TO STAY IN ISTANBUL
We consider that the following represents an excellent cross-section of the wide range of hotels available in Istanbul. Our selection has been based on character and charm, service, facilities and location. However, there are many superb hotels in Istanbul and it is not possible to feature them all. Therefore, should you wish to stay at hotel not featured here then please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you.
KYBELE HOTEL
This small and charming family owned hotel is centrally located in the Sultanahmet
district, the historic heart of the old city, and within easy walking distance
of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Originally two townhouses,
the Kybele is a treasure trove of Ottoman antiques with the lobby alone lit
by over 1,000 historic lamps! Each of the sixteen bedrooms and two suites
offer a different style of Turkish decoration and all rooms have air-conditioning
and modern bathrooms. Facilities include a lounge, dining area and a charming
patio garden.
KONUK EVI HOTEL
Konuk Evi is a restored wooden Ottoman house dating from the late 1800s situated
in a charming cobbled lane close to the walls of the Topkapi Palace and Hagia
Sophia in the Sultanahmet district. Restored by the Turkish Touring and Automobile
Association in 1994, Konuk Evi is furnished with period furniture and offers
ten rooms and two suites, all air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms. In
fine weather, meals and refreshments are served in the delightful terraced
garden or in the garden conservatory restaurant. Konuk Evi’s sister,
the Yesil Ev Hotel, is situated nearby and stands between the Blue Mosque
and Hagia Sophia. This 19th Century wooden mansion is tastefully furnished
with period furniture and offers nineteen rooms, a quiet garden and restaurant.
THE BLUE HOUSE
Overlooking the Blue Mosque this small and friendly hotel of twenty-seven
rooms is in the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district. The
views over the Bosphorus and the Blue Mosque from the rooftop restaurant (open
in the summer only) are superb. The modern comfortable rooms are attractively
furnished and include air-conditioning, minibar and cable TV. Other facilities
include a lift, bar and two restaurants.
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
Nestled in the heart of the old city it is difficult to believe that this
intimate luxury hotel was once a prison. Four Seasons have sensitively transformed
this beautiful, century old, neo-classical building into a very special hotel
of just sixty-five exquisitely designed rooms and suites. Set around a delightful
courtyard with a spectacular glass pavilion restaurant, even the reception
rooms are beautifully appointed with Turkish art and antiques and the hotel
is also within easy walking distance of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi
Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Other facilities include two rooftop terraces,
a choice of restaurants and a health club.
CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI HOTEL
The elegant Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel is situated on the European shores
of the Bosphorus between the districts of Besiktas and Ortakoy and in easy
reach of all the major sites of the city. Built in 1911 as a residence for
the Ottoman Sultans, the palace has been restored to its former glory and
has been supplemented, within the grounds, with an additional modern deluxe
hotel. The hotel has 284 rooms and 20 suites with a further 11 VIP suites
in the Palace itself. All rooms are beautifully appointed and the Sea Facing
Grand Deluxe Rooms are recommended. Facilities include an outdoor swimming
pool, health club with indoor pool as well as a variety of additional restaurants
and boutiques.