Istanbul has some wonderful hotel options:
I loved my hotel, the Empress Zoe, right around the corner from the Four Seasons Hotel. It was an amazing place to stay with wonderful rooms, roof top terraces and a lovely garden, nice breakfast included and friendly staff. I loved having a nightcap of Turkish red wine with Suleman, the friendly bartender. I was in the Penthouse Suite with a private terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque. I loved the antiques, the view and the extremely reasonable rate. I particularly liked listening to the call to prayer several times a day from the terrace.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski: This is a luxury hotel on the Bosphorus in a former palace. The setting is beautiful. I have heard that their Sunday Brunch is a must.
The Pera Palace Hotel has recently reopened after an extensive renovation. If you don’t stay there, you might check it out for afternoon tea. The hotel, opened in 1892, was one of the first luxury hotels where Orient Express train passengers overnighted. According to Fodors, “the Pera claims Agatha Christie wrote her popular mystery novel Murder on the Orient Express inside these walls. Some of the many famous past guests include European and Asian royalty, Jackie Kennedy, Greta Garbo, and Alfred Hitchcock.”
For other good options, recent travel and design articles and reviews have recommended Witt Hotel, Marti Istanbul Hotel, Georges Hotel in Galata, Bunk Hostel, and Edition by Marriott.
Raffles is a luxury hotel located in the upscale Zorlu Centre. Soho House is a member’s club in an 19th century palazzo, with upscale bedrooms to book for a stay. Both of the hotels were included in Wallpaper* Magazine’s ‘Best Urban Hotels’ list.