Hotels
The Peninsula, Karakoy
The Peninsula’s vantage point is unbeatable: from its position on Karakoy’s seafront, it faces the old city and the outline of Topkapi Palace across the water. What is now the chic, cavernous lobby was once the city’s passenger ferry terminal, where travellers arriving from overseas entered Istanbul under its high glass ceiling. Interior designer Zeynep Fadilioglu has reimagined the space, turning it into a large window while retaining its original Bauhaus style. Take in the view with one of the house cocktails, which are named after the city’s ferry ports.
Hagia Sophia Mansions, Fatih
This row of historic wooden houses is hidden between Istanbul’s grandest monuments. When the crowds of tourists have cleared for the day, you’ll feel as though you have the Hagia Sophia all to yourself. As part of the Hilton’s Curio range, rooms are opulent and eclectic, featuring gilt frames, mother-of-pearl inlay furniture and richly coloured textiles. Be sure to book a session in the Jacuzzi and spa, which are located in the 1,500-year-old Byzantine cisterns beneath the hotel.
Pera Palace Hotel, Beyoglu
Agatha Christie, international spies and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkey, are among the characters who have stayed at this legendary establishment. Tucked in the heart of Pera, Istanbul’s oldest nightlife quarter, the 130-year-old hotel is a living museum that whisks you back to the belle époque as soon as you pass through its doors. It was built to accommodate the well-heeled passengers of the Orient Express and its decor still rings of the golden era of travel. Check in to one of the deluxe rooms or suites, each named after and inspired by one of the luminary figures who have stayed here – Ernest Hemingway or Mata Hari? If you’re not staying the night, stop by for a drink at the lobby bar.
Splendid Palace Hotel, Buyukada
The four-storey, gleaming white atrium is the centrepiece of this hotel, where Istanbul elites have been weekending for a century. Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII stayed here when they visited Turkey in the late 1930s. The art nouveau icon sits on the shore of Buyukada, the biggest of the islands in the sea of Marmara, which is a short ferry ride away from central Istanbul. Come early in the day to sip Turkish mineral water next to a pleasant pool surrounded by faded wooden mansions, bougainvillaea and plum trees. At sunset, sip a cocktail on the hotel’s terrace and look out over the metropolis, revelling in having discovered a slice of old-world charm and calm.
