Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

HOTEL€€€ HOTEL€ 4 Bazaar District BURCKIN SUITES HOTEL ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-638 5521; www.burckinhotel.com; Klodfarer Caddesi 18, Binbirdirek; s €59-64, d €64-69, f €109-119; pnaW ; j Sultanahmet) Readers have criticised the small size of Burckin’s rooms and their bathrooms, but the decor is attractive and there are plenty of amenities. The main draw is the rooftop-terrace restaurant-bar, which has a wonderful view of Aya Sofya and the Sea of Marmara. SARUHAN HOTEL ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-458 7608; www.saruhanhotel.com; Cinci Meydanı Sokak 34, Kadırga; s/d/f €70/75/105; naiW ; j Çemberlitaş) Hitherto bereft of hotels, the quiet residential pocket of Kadırga is inching its way into the limelight, courtesy of impressive family-run operations like HOTEL€ This modern hotel has memorable views of Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara from its roof-terrace bar-restaurant, and a ground-floor cafe where complimentary afternoon tea is served. There’s also a hamam and a gym. Rooms are extremely comfortable; all are a good size but the sea-view options are worth their higher price tag. FOUR SEASONS ISTANBUL AT SULTANAHMET ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-402 3000; www.fourseasons.com/istanbul; Tevkifhane Sokak 1, Cankurtaran; r from €400; pnaiW ; j Sultanahmet) This luxurious hotel has an excellent position near Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque, with views of both and of the Bosphorus from its rooftop bar restaurant. Facilities include a spa and an excellent restaurant in the leafy inner courtyard, while even the entry-level superior rooms are serene havens with original Turkish artworks and handwoven kilims (pileless woven rugs).