People often ask me if booking a hotel online is safe. And if so, whether I can provide links to hotel booking sites that are trustworthy and/or offer hotel rooms at the lowest prices available. Since I’m merely running a blog about Istanbul (and not a travel agency), this has always been a tough question to answer, up until recently!

Is Booking A Hotel Room Online Safe?

Recently my good friend Darren from Travel-Rants wrote a post on lack of credit card security when booking hotels online. In short, booking online via an established third-party hotel booking website is secure, if you follow the following internet safety basics:

1. stick to the bigger, well-known hotel booking websites
2. before entering personal and/or credit card information, make sure the webpage is on a secure (https://…) server
3. check if the bottom of your browser shows a padlock

Luckily, the majority of the established hotel booking websites has implemented these security measures. The only thing you can never be sure of is human carelessness after all your details have been wired to the hotel of your choice. Hotel staff writing down your credit card numbers on a piece of paper or in a spreadsheet may always occur, regardless weather you booked online or in person after arrival. Unless you carry/pay cash, but then of course other security concerns surface.

Best Price Guaranteed

So yes, in my experience booking online via well-known hotel websites is not only safe, it can also result in a fair hotel price discount. The question remains of course, what third-party hotel booking website to use.

Already back in August last year, to serve my readers better, I conducted a little research on this topic. I reviewed a handful of the most-known hotel booking websites, and decided to promote Booking.com for the following reasons:

• they have a very user-friendly and clear website
• hotels I had already previously recommended to friends are in their 220 Istanbul hotel list
• they provide detailed and accurate information about every hotel
• they offer extensive customer reviews with pros and cons about every hotel
• booking a hotel is easy and hassle-free
• you can view the website in the language and currency of your choice

Moreover, since 2009 Booking.com also added a Best Price Guarantee. You can find the full details here, but in short they promise the following:

“Booking.com wants you to pay the lowest price possible for your hotel. Should you find your hotel room, with the same booking conditions, at a lower rate on the internet after you have booked, we’ll match it. Just contact us within 24 hours of booking, with details of the website.”

This new Booking.com Best Price Guarantee policy just confirmed that I already back in August 2008 chose the right hotel booking website to advice to my readers!

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Although this part of town houses less historical landmarks than the historical part of Istanbul, neglecting the modern part of Istanbul would be a shame. It still has a fair amount of must-see sightseeing spots and is the place to be if you’re in for shopping, wining and dining or a great night out. The modern part of Istanbul is the area north of the Golden Horn and consists of boroughs such as Beşiktaş, Galata, Karaköy, Nişantaşı, Ortaköy, Şişli, and Taksim. Below you find an overview of the ones you may (unknowingly) wander around in as a tourist.

Taksim

Taksim Square symbolizes the heart of modern Istanbul and is a popular meeting point for a day or night out. Leisure time in this area is mostly spent on Istiklal Caddesi or one of its many side streets. Taksim is ‘open’ day and night, seven days a week – it’s a place where you’ll never walk alone! During the day the place is packed with shoppers, and after dusk it remains a bustling area with party animals conquering the streets till early morning.

You can find footage of the borough in the Taksim video gallery. For still impressions, visit the Taksim photo gallery or the Istiklal Caddesi photo gallery.

Beşiktaş

Beşiktaş - Istanbul, Turkey.

Located in the intersection of Barbaros Boulevard, Beşiktaş Avenue and Çırağan Avenue, the Beşiktaş borough lends its name to the district of Beşiktaş.

In Byzantine times Beşiktaş was known for the Ayios Mamas Palace (the emperors’ summer residence), the Fokas Monastery, and the Ayios Mihael Church. The latter was built in the period of Constantine I and was a famous center for Greek, Armenian and Georgian pilgrims. The residence identity of the area came during the Ottoman era. The cove of Beşiktaş was convenient/favorable/suitable to use as a dock even before the 17th century. So, Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha (1478-1546) – the chief commander of the navy in the Ottoman Empire (Kaptan-ı Derya) – started to use the bay to anchor the Ottoman fleet. He had a seaside mansion (yalı) built for himself and stayed there when he was in Istanbul.

In the 17th century the bay became a swamp. So it was filled and turned into a refined garden area for the Ottoman sultans. From then on palaces and kiosks/villas were built for the sultans and their relatives. Mahmut II – who officially reigned in Topkapı Palace for 31 years (1808-1839) – actually spent most of his time in the palaces of Beşiktaş. Finally his son Abdülmecit had the Dolmabahçe Palace built in 1855 and Beşiktaş became the official residence of the sultans.

Although after the declaration of the Turkish Republic Beşiktaş lost its reputation for hosting the sultans. However, it kept its importance since Atatürk stayed in the Dolmabahçe Palace when he was in Istanbul and he also died there.
Beşiktaş gives its name to the Turkey’s oldest sports club – Beşiktaş Gymnastics Club (Beşiktaş Spor Kulübü) It is also the third football club founded in Turkey. Beşiktaş Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Pier, the monument of Barbaros, the tomb of Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa (Türbesi), the Sinan Paşa Mosque and the Istanbul Naval Museum (İstanbul Deniz Müzesi) are the places of interest.

Ortaköy

Ortaköy by night, taken from the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.

One of the popular boroughs in the Beşiktaş district is Ortaköy, literally translated ‘middle village’. It inherited the name from its location: in the middle of the European bank of the Bosphorus. One of the main characteristics of Ortaköy is that it has always been a cosmopolitan area which hosts Turkish, Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities. Today it is one of the main places of interest for locals and tourists alike because of its seaside cafés, restaurants, night clubs and bars spread around the area. Unfortunately, Ortaköy is also very well-known for its packed traffic, especially at the weekends.

The most outstanding structure of this small neighborhood is the Ortaköy Mosque which is located by the sea on the Ortaköy square. The Neo-Baroque style designed mosque was ordered by Ottoman sultan Abdülmecit.

Galata

Located on the northern shore of the Golden Horn, Galata is sloped and goes downwards to the sea from a hilltop. It is one of the historically rich boroughs of the Beyoğlu district. The famous Galata Tower on the small square of Galata and the Galata Bridge take their names from Galata, which means Celtic in Greek. It is believed that the Celtic tribe of Galatians camped in the area. After looting the Balkans and the west of Anatolia around BC 280-274, Galatians settled in the central Anatolia around Ankara and Yozgat.

The Galatasaray Lyceé (halfway on Istiklal Caddesi), the famous Galatasary Football team (Galatasaray Futbol Kulübü) and the Galata Mevlevihanesi Whirling Dervishes Lodge on Galip Dede Street also take their names from Galata. On Büyük Hendek Avenue you can find the Neve Shalom Synagogue which is the central and largest Sephardic synagogue in Istanbul. Down by the seaside the Galata dock stretches 758 meters long from the Galata Bridge towards Fındıklı on the north-east European bank of the Bosphorus. Although located in Karaköy it is named after Galata. Built between 1892 and 1895, the Galata dock is Istanbul’s and also Turkey’s first modern dock where the cruise ships anchor.

Karaköy

The Kamondo Steps in Karaköy, Istanbul.

Karaköy is one of the oldest and historical boroughs of the Beyoğlu district. Located on the northern part of the Golden Horn mouth on the European side of the Bosphorus and connected to Eminönü by the Galata Bridge, Karaköy has been the center of trade serving as a dock since the Byzantine era.

In the last 10 years of the 19th century the area became the banking center with the Osmanlı Bankası. This bank, which played the role of treasury and government bank, opened its central building here, followed by the Italian and Austrian insurance companies.

Today, serving a hub for both intercity and international transport, Karaköy is also an important commercial center with various mechanical, plumbing, electronic and electrical appliance shops in the Perşembe Pazarı.
Noteworthy cosmopolite monuments and places of interest are:

• The Zulfaris Synagogue used as the Five-hundredth Anniversary Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews (500. Yıl Vakfı Türk Musevileri Müzesi), inaugurated on November 25, 2001
• Istanbul Modern, Turkey’s the first and only private museum for contemporary art inaugurated in 2004
• Turned into a mosque by Mehmet II the Conqueror in 1475, the Arab Mosque is the only remaining Gothic church from the ante Ottoman period
• Donated by the Sephardic Jewish banker Abraham Kamondo, the baroque style built Kamondo Stairs climb up the hill from Voyvoda Street to the 19th century neighborhoods.

Completely safe during day time, yet not to be wandered after dusk, Karaköy has also name and fame for the city’s red light district.

Şişli

The Şişli borough is located in the Şişli district, located between the Sarıyer district in the north, the Beşiktaş district in the east, the Eyüp and Kağıthane districts in the west and the Beyoğlu district in the south.

Full of farming fields and vineyards the area had very little settlement until the mid 19th century. The trading middle-class Levantines, Jews, Greeks, Armenians and also Turks who lost their houses in the 1870 fire of Beyoğlu moved to the area and built homes with an European look: big stone buildings with high ceilings and art nouveau wrought-iron balconies.

The first horse pulled tramways started operating in 1871 and its line reached Şişli in 1881. In 1898 the Şişli Etfal hospital was built in the memory of Abdülhamid II’s daughter who died when she was only eight months old. Şişli became the last stop of the electrical tramway in 1913 and from then on it kept on growing rapidly. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic Şişli kept on building on the main road (Halaskargazi Street) and the area around it.

Today offices, banks, big shops, cafes, and restaurants occupy the large buildings on the avenues, yet the back streets are still residential. Europe’s largest and the world’s second largest (urban-area) shopping mall, Cevahir, is located in Şişli. Built in Ottoman style, the Şişli Mosque is a grand landmark situated between the Halaskargazi and Abidei Hürriyet Avenues.

Nişantaşı

Nişantaşı, home to the jet-set of Istanbul, Turkey.

Within the Şişli district Nişantaşı is located on the Vali Konağı Avenue and is surrounded by the Maçka, Harbiye, Osmanbey and Teşvikiye neighborhoods.

The area was used by the Ottoman soldiers to improve their shooting skills on target stones. Nişantaşı means ‘target stone’ and that’s where the name of the area comes from. In the mid 19th century Sultan Abdülmecid established two obelisks to set the beginning and the ending points of the borough. He also ordered the construction of the Teşvikiye Mosque and the police station. The area grew in the second half of the 19th century and became popular due to its central position, being close to both the Yıldız Palace and Pera (Beyoğlu).

Until the 1930s Nişantaşı was the area of mansion houses, after which its face rapidly changed to elegant apartment blocks. Its Art Nouveau apartment buildings are still well-known.

Today Nişantaşı is one of Istanbul’s most residential estates boroughs with luxurious restaurants, cafes, pubs, night clubs, galleries, boutiques and stores of world famous brands. It is the hometown of wealthy and well-educated figures of the Turkish jet-set, culture and art.

[Photo Credit Kamondo Steps: bu]

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If this is your first time to Istanbul, you’ll be spending most of your time in this area of town. Simply because it is home to most of the unmissable and famous sights. The historical part of Istanbul is the area south of the Golden Horn and consists of boroughs such as Beyazıt, Eminönü, Fatih, Kumkapı, Sirkeci, Süleymaniye, Sultanahmet, and Tahtakale. Below you find an overview of the ones you may (unknowingly) wander around in as a tourist.

Sultanahmet

The Blue Mosque, seen from Sultanahmet Square.

Sultanahmet is by far the most important borough of the historical part of Istanbul. It was the heart of the Byzantine, Constantine and Ottoman empires. Today people still refer to Sultanahmet as the historical heart of Istanbul. It has the highest concentration of tourist attractions, all barely a few minutes away from each other and well within walking distance.

Divan Yolu – the main street with the tramway – is the spine of Sultanahmet, while Sultanahmet Square is the obvious starting point for your tourist excursions. It’s a central location from which the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Place, the Hippodrome and the Basilica Cistern can be reached easily.

For impressions of Sultanahmet, please visit the Sultanahmet video gallery and the Sultanahmet photo gallery.

Beyazıt

If you start walking slightly uphill on Divan Yolu – leaving Sultanahmet Square behind you – you’ll end up in Beyazıt. Upon reaching Beyazıt Square, you can see the Beyazıt Tower and the Beyazıt University which was founded on 30 May 1453, the day after Mehmet II the Conqueror captured Istanbul. Beyazıt Square is also one of the main entrances to the Grand Bazaar. Also worth mentioning in this borough is the book bazaar (Sahaflar Çarşısı) – a charming booksellers courtyard.

Süleymaniye

The main attraction in this area is the Süleymaniye Mosque. To reach it, from Beyazıt Square walk around the university from the left-hand side until your reach the street of the addicts.

Eminönü

Eminönü, bustling with activity during the day but awfully quiet at night.

Located completely within the old city walls, Eminönü has always been a crucial settlement for the transportation and trade throughout the history. After the 10th century the Latin colonies, mostly the Genoese, settled in this Byzantine town and built their own piers to trade. During the Ottoman Empire the area kept on playing its role as trade center, and received with the Sirkeci train station some added value.

During the Turkish Republic period the face of the area changed drastically. The buildings in front of the New Mosque (Yeni Camii) and the ticket boxes for crossing the bridge were demolished; some buildings around the Spice Bazaar were cleared out while others were renovated. Although until the late 50s the area’s population kept on growing, today the residential population decreased massively due to the trade and business.

The city ferry line piers (among the Scenic Bosphorus Ferry Cruise dock) and the inner city bus terminal by the sea, the New Mosque, the Spice Bazaar and various shops surrounding those landmarks are the most prominent features of Eminönü.

Sirkeci

The most important attraction is the Sirkeci train station – once the final station of the Orient Express. The main street is called Ankara Caddesi and climbs up the hill to Cağaloğlu which used to be the press center.

Also the ferries heading for the Princes’ Islands as well as the car ferries to Harem on the Asian side are located on the seaside part of Sirkeci. Büyük Postane – the building of Istanbul’s postal authorities – is the biggest postal building in Turkey.

Tahtakale

Tahtakale is located south-west of the Spice Bazaar and famous for its coffee. Coffee came to Istanbul in 1519 after Selim I the Grim conquered Egypt and Hedjaz. The first kahvehane (café serving only coffee or tea) of Istanbul was opened in 1554 in Tahtakale by two merchants. The first customers were the bureaucrats. In those days kahvehanes were places for the intellectuals and entertainment lovers to socialize, discuss art, and play chess or backgammon. In those days being able to join these gatherings meant being accepted and approved by the community.

Located so close to the port of Eminönü, Tahtakale has always been the center of trade with dozens of shops cramped in its small streets. Before 1980 it was famous for illegal foreign exchange which was banned in those days. After the ban was lifted the area lost that reputation but is still very well-known for the variety and authenticity of the shops located in its narrow and crowded streets.

Kumkapı

Today Kumkapı is still famous for its fish restaurants.

In Byzantine days its name was Kontoskalion, meaning small pier. In Turkish, Kumkapı means ’sand gate’. It was one of the gates in the old city walls. Up until recent times, the residential population of Kumkapı was mostly Armenian. They still have a community school and several churches there. It is also the seat of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. Today Kumkapı is famous for its various fish restaurants and taverns located in car free streets – Nevizade style.

Fatih

The name of this borough comes from Mehmed II the Conqueror. Today it is still accepted as the real Istanbul. It is also one of the most conservative parts of Istanbul.

The most eminent historical values in the area are the Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Kemeri) located on the Atatürk Boulevard, Yedikule Fortress, the Palace of Porphyrogenitus (Tekfur Sarayı), the Fethiye Mosque, the Kariye Mosque, the Gül Mosque (a former Byzantine church), the Fenari Isa Mosque (a complex of two Byzantine churches), the Greek Patriarchate with the Church of St George, the Yavuz Selim Mosque and the famous Fatih Mosque. The latter is the first mosque built within the medresseh (medrese) in Ottoman history.

The tombs of Mehmed II the Conqueror (Fatih Sultan Mehmet), Selim I the Grim (Yavuz Sultan Selim) and some of the leading statesmen of the Ottoman Empire, including Gazi Osman Pasha, are in Fatih.

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Below you’ll find an overview of hotels I can recommend in the historical part of Istanbul. I grouped the hotels according to the amount of stars they are rewarded. Keep in mind that the amount of stars refer to the quality and service they offer.

• Five Star Hotels in the Historical Part of Istanbul
• Four Star Hotels in the Historical Part of Istanbul
• Two and Three Star Hotels in the Historical Part of Istanbul

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Below you’ll find an overview of hotels I can recommend in the modern part of Istanbul. I grouped the hotels according to the amount of stars they are rewarded. Keep in mind that the amount of stars refer to the quality and service they offer.

• Five Star Hotels in the Modern Part of Istanbul
• Four Star Hotels in the Modern Part of Istanbul
• Two and Three Star Hotels in the Modern Part of Istanbul

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Below you will find an overview of two and three-star hotels in the modern part of Istanbul. By clicking on a hotel name, you can obtain detailed information about the hotel, provided by Booking.com or the hotel’s own website.
The overview by no means lists all two and three star hotels in this area. The hotel list is based on personal experiences cross-checked with customer reviews provided by Booking.com. Most of the hotels have either been visited by me or by one or more of my acquaintances. They appear in alphabetical order.

• Hotel Villa Zurich – This three-star hotel is located in Cihangir, the hangout area of Istanbul’s actors and actresses. While the hotel is only awarded 3 stars, the top and bottom floors of the hotel house respectively Doğa and Leyla restaurants, both well-known in Istanbul.
• Inter Royal – The hotel offers 90 clean but basic rooms. It is located in the famous Nevizade area, which tends to be very noisy almost 24 hours a day. Obviously more suitable for young budget travelers.

Note to accommodation owners: If you want to be added to the listings on Istanbul Trails, please contact us via the Contact or Advertise page. Keep in mind though that hotels will never be listed without personally having visited your accommodation, enabling me to write a truthful review.

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Below you will find an overview of two and three-star hotels in the historical part of Istanbul. By clicking on a hotel name, you can obtain detailed information about the hotel, provided by Booking.com or the hotel’s own website.
The overview by no means lists all two and three star hotels in this area. The hotel list is based on personal experiences cross-checked with customer reviews provided by Booking.com. Most of the hotels have either been visited by me or by one or more of my acquaintances. They appear in alphabetical order.

• Ahmet Efendi Evi – This three-star hotel is a family guest house. The rooms are small but spotless, the staff friendly and helpful, and the location great. Ahmet Efendi Evi is located in the heart of the historical part of Istanbul, within walking distance of the main tourist attractions.
• Aslan Istanbul – This charming family-run 3-star boutique hotel with its homely interior and 18 clean but rather small rooms is located in a quiet street in the center of old Istanbul. As with most hotels in this district, their location is excellent.
• Ayasofya Pansiyonları – This three star hotel, also known as Ayasofya Konakları or Ayasofya Evleri, consists of nine renovated 19th century wooden houses, located in a dream setting: the cobbled street between the back-side of the Hagia Sophia and the high walls of the Topkapi Palace.
• Best Point – This brand new 3-star boutique hotel offers 13 very clean, modern and nicely decorated rooms. The hotel is within walking distance of the main attractions such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern.
• Empress Zoe – This hotel combines three separate restored houses, hence benefits from a number of enclosed gardens and panoramic terraces. Rooms reflect a high standard of taste and design. Please note that access to the rooms is via a narrow circular iron staircase.
• Olimpiyat – This three star hotel offers 59 not too big but clean rooms, each with a private bathroom. The hotel combines a great location with the famous Turkish hospitality in a casual atmosphere.

Note to accommodation owners: If you want to be added to the listings on Istanbul Trails, please contact us via the Contact or Advertise page. Keep in mind though that hotels will never be listed without personally having visited your accommodation, enabling me to write a truthful review.

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Below you will find an overview of 4-star hotels in the modern part of Istanbul. By clicking on a hotel name, you can obtain detailed information about the hotel, provided by Booking.com or the hotel’s own website.
The overview by no means lists all four star hotels in this area. The hotel list is based on personal experiences cross-checked with customer reviews provided by Booking.com. Most of the hotels have either been visited by myself or by one or more of my acquaintances. They appear in alphabetical order.

• Gallery Residence – This hotel, offering modern accommodation consisting exclusively of 21 suites, is for once not located in Taksim. You’ll find the Gallery Residence Hotel in Nişantaşı, one of Istanbul’s most fashionable and prestigious districts. With the proximity of a metro station, Taksim is within a 2 minute reach.
• Istanbul Suite Home – Every apartment of this 13 room hotel offers 85 m² residing space, including a living room and equipped kitchen. There is also a common terrace with great views and free of charge health facilities. Please note that it is located in a steep area, so access on foot could prove a challenge for some.
• Marmara Pera – This hotel with its 200 rather modest rooms is mostly famous for its location (within walking distance from the business, leisure and shopping areas) and magnificent views.
• Midtown Hotel – The Midtown Hotel has 73 deluxe room (9 with a view of Bosphorus) and 7 corner suites prepared with a minimalist approach. The hotel is ideally situated in a car-free area of Taksim, the heart of modern Istanbul and famed for its restaurants, shops and nightlife.
• Richmond – It’s the only hotel on Istiklal Caddesi, the famous car-free shopping avenue. The downside is that you briefly need to walk with your luggage. The glorious architecture combines the memories of the past with contemporary amenities. Their new Leb-i-Derya restaurant offers great Bosphorus views.
• SV Boutique – Just like the Taksim Gönen hotel, this modern boutique hotel, with its 34 spotlessly clean rooms, is located in a car-free area, on foot only 2 min. away from Taksim square. In 2006 I put all my friends there during my wedding festivities.
• Taksim Gönen – Located in a generally car-free area, on foot only 2 min. away from Taksim square, this recently built hotel offers 152 clean rooms and lots of facilities, including a small pool on the roof. Please note that the pool doesn’t open before June and the English skills of the staff are limited.

Note to accommodation owners: If you want to be added to the listings on Istanbul Trails, please contact us via the Contact or Advertise page. Keep in mind though that hotels will never be listed without personally having visited your accommodation, enabling me to write a truthful review.

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Below you will find an overview of 4-star hotels in the historical part of Istanbul. By clicking on a hotel name, you can obtain detailed information about the hotel, provided by Booking.com or the hotel’s own website.
The overview by no means lists all four star hotels in this area. The hotel list is based on personal experiences cross-checked with customer reviews provided by Booking.com. Most of the hotels have either been visited by me or by one or more of my acquaintances. They appear in alphabetical order.

• Best Western Premier Regency Suites & Spa – This 5-storey hotel located in the heart of Sultanahmet and offering only 16 rooms, is in my opinion the best hotel of the Best Western chain in this area. It has a contemporary style and provides spacious accommodation, spa and health facilities. Their terrace and some of the rooms have scenic views over the Bosporus and Blue Mosque.
• Best Western The President – This seven storey modern hotel (204 rooms) is located a bit further away from the heart of old Istanbul, but still within walking distance and in the proximity of the tramway. The hotel is known for its pleasant atmosphere and authentic English pub.
• Boutique Apex – If you want to avoid the bigger (chain) hotels and receive a more personal treatment, this recently (2008) opened hotel with only 12 rooms will certainly suit your needs. The hotel’s superb location is of course also a big advantage.
• Faros Istanbul – A brand new (spring 2006) modern boutique hotel with 23 rooms and nice views. The area has a traditional atmosphere including open markets and bazaars. As with most hotels, ask for a room away from the noisy street side.
• Garden House Istanbul – Housed in a 19th century Ottoman mansion with a wooden exterior, the friendly Garden House hotel offers 20 rather spacious and clean rooms, 9 of which with a modern design. It is located in Sultanahmet, within walking distance of all the main attractions in the historical part of Istanbul.
• Nena – This five stories high, red-faced boutique hotel offers 29 rooms and is located only 100 meters away from the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome. Needless to say their terrace restaurant offers both excellent food and views.
• Orient Express – Named after the nostalgic train Orient Express, its 54 small but cozy rooms are all decorated in an authentic way. The hotel features a panoramic terrace restaurant, an indoor swimming pool and train wagon bar. Ask for rooms in the back, since the street tends to be noisy.
• Ottoman Imperial – This clean great little hotel with its pleasant staff and 54 rooms sits on a truly premium location in town, on an elevated position, surrounded by all the major landmarks of the Sultanahmet and Topkapi districts.
• Sapphire – This new comfortable hotel with 60 rooms is located close to the Gülhane Park. Although it is not far away from all major landmarks in the old part of town, be prepared to walk a bit upwards when heading for those sightseeing spots.
• Zeynep Sultan Boutique – Zeynep Sultan is a small (24 rooms), friendly and immaculately clean boutique style hotel located right in the heart of the city, proof of which is the small street with its cobblestones.

Note to accommodation owners: If you want to be added to the listings on Istanbul Trails, please contact us via the Contact or Advertise page. Keep in mind though that hotels will never be listed without personally having visited your accommodation, enabling me to write a truthful review.

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Below you will find an overview of 5-star hotels in the modern part of Istanbul. By clicking on a hotel name, you can obtain detailed information about the hotel, provided by Booking.com or the hotel’s own website.
The overview by no means lists all 5-star hotels in this area. The hotel list is based on personal experiences cross-checked with customer reviews provided by Booking.com. Most of the hotels have either been visited by me or by one or more of my acquaintances. They appear in alphabetical order.

• Ceylan InterContinental – Located next to Taksim Park and Taksim Square, the Ceylan InterContinental is an elegant and stylish jewel in the heart of Istanbul. Its 380 rooms are not too spacious, but the luxury and impressive views of the Bosphorus make up for it.
• Hyatt Regency Istanbul – Contrary to most of its competitors, the Hyatt Regency hotel is only a 10-story tall building with an Ottoman twist. This stylish hotel offers 360 rooms & suites, slightly orientated towards businessmen.
• The Marmara Istanbul – The Marmara Istanbul is a deluxe five-star hotel where business meets luxury in Istanbul’s city centre. The hotel, a landmark building rising 20 stories above the pulse of Istanbul, features 377 rooms and has stunning views of Istanbul.
• The Ritz-Carlton – The Ritz-Carlton has a total of 244 guest rooms with a Turkish-inspired style and décor. Sumptuous surroundings and legendary service await every guest that passes through their doors.
• Swissotel The Bosphorus – The luxurious Swissôtel The Bosphorus is located in the centre of Istanbul, in the former gardens of the Dolmabahçe Palace. Situated on a wooded hilltop, most of the hotel’s 600 rooms offer panoramic views of the Bosphorus, the Asian coast and/or the old city of Istanbul.
• TomTom Suites – Istanbul’s TomTom Suites is a 5-star boutique hotel offering 20 suites of varying sizes. The hotel is located in an historical Istanbul building in the Galata and Pera area of the city, offering panoramic views over the old city and the Golden Horn. Tomtom Suites offers the discerning guest a choice of spacious, well-designed accommodations.
• W Istanbul – Europe’s first W hotel is situated in Beşiktaş in the historic former home of the guards of the Dolmabahçe Palace. As a result of the mix of W style and Ottoman glamour, even the standard rooms come with a garden and decked area, providing an oasis of calm.

Note to accommodation owners: If you want to be added to the listings on Istanbul Trails, please contact us via the Contact or Advertise page. Keep in mind though that hotels will never be listed without personally having visited your accommodation, enabling me to write a truthful review.

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