Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel, Istanbul

Advantages: Loads of things to see and do in the city.
Disadvantages: may not be much to do for children

...and Ottoman periods, inluding the Ahmet Mosque, the Suleiman Mosque, and the Hagia Sofia, originally the only Christian church in Istanbul, turned into a mosque in 1453, and a museum in 1935. The Asian side of Istanbul is not as interesting, but it was still enjoyable to wander around, and generally not as busy. Istanbul, although not the capital of Turkey, is the cultural and commercial centre, with the busiest airport, an advanced motorway network which is otherwise undeveloped in Turkey, and the biggest port. The hotel we stayed in was not brilliant, but there are some very good hotels in and around Istanbul, and overall I spent a very enjoyable week in Istanbul.... Read review

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Advantages: Fantastic rooms, equipped with everything you can think of. Extensive facilities and excellent cuisine. Ultimate luxury.
Disadvantages: Slightly impersonal service. A bit remote from the city centre.

...in Istanbul, and who still can only think of business – you will appreciate the Swissôtel's superb business facilities. The hotel has its own business centre which offers a wide range of secretarial and computer services, communications and translations. #25; Location Whereas the Swissôtel is beautifully situated on its own park estate right on the shore of the Bosphorus, it is rather far from the business centres around Taksim Square and Cumhurriyet Avenue. These can be reached by foot within minutes from the Hyatt, Hilton and Inter-Continental hotels, but require a taxi drive from the Swissôtel. Do like myself, turn disadvantages into advantages, and get intimate with the girl on the backseat of the cab. #25; Prices Agency rates for standard rooms start at $185 excluding breakfast, executive rooms come at $225 including breakfast. Off... Read review

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Advantages: Istanbul is a very diverse city with endless cultural sights and beautiful landscapes. Food and nightlife are excellent and very different to the rest of Europe.
Disadvantages: Traffic is an absolute mess. It can be hard to find a park or green spot downtown. The souvenir dealers and "guides" in the touristic areas can be very annoying.

...Hyatt, Hilton and Inter-Continental. #25; Off the beaten track: Beyoglu has its own small Bosphorus harbour, Kabatas. Boats depart from here to the Virgin Tower which stands on a rock in the middle of the Bosphorus. The Virgin Tower was only opened to visitors in Autumn 2000, and a museum will soon follow suit on this sight. The view from the Virgin Tower is one of the most spectacular in Istanbul, and a prime insider tip. Although the Lonely Planet mentions it in its March 2001 online update, it is yet to appear in any printed travel guide, and thus completely tourist-free. The Bosphorus Suburbs North of Kabatas harbour spans the Bosphorus with its splendid coastline on the European side. The slopes of the hills which form Besiktas district lead directly... Read review

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