Seven Hills Hotel - Special Category

Seven Hills sits on a quiet lane in Cankurtaran, just off Sultanahmet Square, with Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern all a few minutes' walk away. The surrounding streets are lined with carpet shops, small family-run restaurants and rooftop cafés, and the seafront promenade along the Sea of Marmara is about 300 metres downhill. The Sultanahmet tram stop is close by.

The hotel embraces classic Ottoman style, with traditional rugs, hardwood floors and rich fabrics throughout. Small touches add to the charm, from rose-scented linens to a hot tub for unwinding after a long day of sightseeing.

Rooms pair traditional Turkish rugs and hardwood floors with modern oak furnishings, comfortable beds and good-sized bathrooms. Deluxe rooms overlook Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Sea of Marmara, and are well worth booking.

The rooftop restaurant is one of Istanbul's most photographed terraces, with Hagia Sophia on one side, the Blue Mosque on the other, and the Bosphorus beyond. The restaurant serves fresh fish from the Sea of Marmara, mezes, and Turkish dishes from breakfast until late, and the bar is a wonderful spot for a sunset drink.