The 5 Best Hotels in Istanbul

As the capital of several empires, Istanbul is one of the most ancient cities in the world. Stradling the boundary between Europe and Asia, this humming metropolis of over 15 million people boasts plenty to explore, from the bustling Grand Bazaar to the iconic Hagia Sophia to the serene shores of the Bosphorus River.

Turkey is famed for its hospitality, meaning that there are a lot of great hotels with fantastic service here. It’s a great place to splash out. I especially love that many hotels are located in historic buildings, so you’re always soaking up the history of the city no matter where you go.

But (like anywhere), there are a lot of subpar options too. To help you save time and money, here’s my list of the best hotels in Istanbul:
 

1. Celine Hotel Ottoman Mansion

This four-star hotel is located in a former Ottoman mansion in Sultanahmet, just a short walk from Istanbul’s main sights. I love that the entire place retains its historic atmosphere and character. It’s decorated in a late Ottoman style, with grand wood ceilings, gilded paintings, hardwood floors, and period furnishings. There’s even a fireplace in the lounge.

The rooms feature wooden wardrobes and desks, comfy beds, a flatscreen TV with satellite channels, an electric kettle, a safe, and a minibar. You’ll also get two complimentary bottles of water in the room per day. The bathrooms have marble sinks, deep tubs, and rainfall showerheads (a big plus in my book). There are also free toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, and a hairdryer.

Every morning in the interior patio, you can get an excellent complimentary breakfast. I especially enjoy that it has both Turkish and Western options, with a ton of variety, including fresh pastries and breads, fruits, eggs, and sweet cakes.

2. Sultan Hamit Hotel

This three-star hotel is a great option for an affordable stay in the center of historic Sultanahmet. The staff is very welcoming and accommodating, and every morning there’s a traditional breakfast buffet filled with fresh fruit, cold cuts, cheeses, breads, pickled veggies, and dips. The rooms are minimally decorated and a bit dated, but always kept very clean.

Even though the rooms are on the smaller side, they come furnished with a surprising number of amenities. In all rooms, you’ll find a minifridge, a desk, wardrobe, flatscreen TVs, AC, safe, and an electric kettle to make tea and coffee. The bathrooms are small (with shower pressure that’s a bit…