Hotels in Istanbul

As you might expect from a growing, vibrant city, Istanbul has a large choice of accommodation for visitors, ranging from cheap B&Bs to luxurious five-star hotels.

If you're travelling on a budget, it's worth considering the city's youth hostels and guest houses, as these provide cheap but decent accommodation. The Orient youth hostel is perhaps the best known, thanks to its central location(near Topkapi Palace). Its biggest plus point is probably the free entertainment in the bar, but there are other good points, like the internet access and free car park. A night there will cost about £10 per person per night for a twin room.

If you're looking for authentically Turkish accommodation in a reasonable price range, the Naz Wooden House Inn is a good choice. Expect wooden floors, traditional-looking wooden furniture and bright Turkish rugs on the floors and walls. The curved shapes of the rooms adds to the picturesque feel, and there are fantastic views of the Blue Mosque. All this, and you can still get a double room with ensuite bathroom for less than £25 per person per night. However, it is a small family business, and there are only seven rooms, so book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you're looking for five-star luxury, Istanbul has a choice of hotels, mainly in the Taksim area. You'll find the Hilton, the Ritz-Carlton and the Regency Hyatt within walking distance of each other. They all have the quality and service you'd expect from a famous international hotel group, but don't expect anything wildly different from the London versions. For a more interesting experience, head to Sultanahment, Istanbul 's historical quarter, and stay at the Eresin Crown Hotel. This five-star establishment styles itself a "boutique hotel and museum". What this means is that the hotel actually has a private museum inside it, containing artefacts from Turkey 's ancient history. Of course, a hotel doesn't earn five stars with Byzantine pottery alone, and the Eresin Crown Hotel has plenty to offer for less historically minded guests. For example: all rooms have their own Jacuzzi, and you have a choice of elegant restaurants for your meals. A deluxe double room costs around £200 per night. Suites are pricier, going up to more than £400 for the most luxurious, but prices do include the minibar and breakfast.

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