Istanbul Guide

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and rooftop lounge. Rooms are comfort able and well-equipped (opt for a deluxe if possible, as classic and superior rooms are

a restaurant, a terrace bar-cafe and a huge outdoor pool overlooking the Bosphorus and you are left with an unbeatable package. SOFA HOTEL BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€€ Map p250 ( % 0212-368 1818; www.thesofahotel. com; Teşvikiye Caddesi 41, Nişantaşı; s/d from €180/200; naW ; m Osmanbey) The Sofa offers comfortable rooms packed with amenities, a spa (with relaxation pool), a cafe-cum-bookshop, a rooftop bar- restaurant, and excellent service down to the ‘anytime, anything’ button in the rooms. The terrace suites are beautiful open-plan spaces leading to balconies overlooking the neighbourhood. Be warned that street- facing rooms can be a bit noisy. Rates in clude an aromatherapy massage. 4 Kadıköy HUSH HOSTEL LOUNGE HOSTEL € Map p253 ( % 0216-450 4363; www.hushhostels. com; Rıhtım Caddesi 46, Yeldeğirmeni; dm €18, s without bathroom €24, d €52, without bath room €36, tr €48; naW ; f Kadıköy) Spread over two buildings in the up-and-coming Yeldeğirmeni district near the iskele, this well-run hostel is the more staid of the Hush Group’s two Kadıköy properties and has a multi-age clientele. Dorms have reading lights and power points; lockers are in hall ways. Facilities include clean bathrooms, communal kitchen, rear garden and lounge/ TV room with book exchange. Wi-fi can be spotty. The hostel is always full on week ends, when locals keen to spend a week end partying in the neighbourhood sleep over rather than relying on dolmuşes to get home. If staying on a Friday, be sure to take advantage of the free two-hour walking tour of the district. HUSH HOSTEL MODA HOSTEL € Map p253 ( % 0216-330 1122; www.hushhostels. com; Güneșlibahçe Sokak 50b, Moda; dm €18, s without bathroom €24, d €52, d without bathroom €36, tr €48; naiW ; f Kadıköy) Located in the thick of Kadıköy’s entertainment dis trict, this is the party animal of the Hush group’s two local hostels – expect plenty of noise. Private rooms with bathroom have air-con (dorms and rooms without bath room don’t) and there’s a convivial terrace bar. The produce market is conveniently close, so the hostel’s communal kitchen sees lots of cooking action.

slightly cramped). ISTANBUL PLACE APARTMENTS

  Sleeping BE Ş IKTA Ş, NiŞANTAŞI & ORTAKÖY APARTMENT €€ ( % 0506 449 3393; http://istanbulplace.com; apt 1-bed €80-121, 2-bed €109-230, 3-bed €115-270; aW ) Operated by a British-Turkish couple, this apartment rental company has nine well-appointed and beautifully presented properties in historic buildings across Gal ata and Taksim. MARMARA PERA HOTEL €€ Map p248 ( % 0212-251 4646; www.themarmara hotels.com; Meşrutiyet Caddesi 1, Tepebaşı; r/f/ste €120/240/300; pnaiWsc ; m Şişhane, L Tünel) A great location in the midst of Beyoğlu’s major entertainment enclave makes this high-rise modern hotel an excel lent choice. Added extras include a health club, a tiny outdoor pool, a truly fabulous buffet breakfast spread (€15 per person) and the fashionable Mikla (p136) rooftop bar and restaurant. Rooms with a sea view are approximately 30% more expensive. o PERA PALACE HOTEL HISTORIC HOTEL €€€ Map p248 ( % 0212-377 4000; www.perapalace. com; Meşrutiyet Caddesi 52, Tepebaşı; r €150-325, ste €330-550; pnaiWsc# ; m Şişhane) This famous hotel underwent a €23-million restoration in 2010 and the result is simply splendiferous. Rooms are luxurious and ex tremely comfortable, and facilities include an atmospheric bar and lounge (the latter often closed for private functions), spa, gym and restaurant. The most impressive feature of all is the service, which is both friendly and efficient. Breakfast costs €25. 4 Beşiktaş, Nişantaşi & Ortaköy FOUR SEASONS ISTANBUL AT THE BOSPHORUS LUXURY HOTEL €€€ Map p250 ( % 0212-381 4000; www.fourseasons. com/bosphorus; Çırağan Caddesi 28, Beşiktaş; r from €600; pnaiWsc ; g Bahçeşehir Ünv. or Çırağan) One of two Four Seasons choices in İstanbul, this hotel incorporates an Otto man building known as the Atik Paşa Konak. Service here is exemplary; rooms are luxu rious; and the setting on the Bosphorus is truly magical. Add to this an excellent spa,