Istanbul

Truly unique and utterly jaw-dropping, Istanbul is a melting pot of history, culture and empires that have all influenced this magnificent city. From the Ottoman and Byzantine to the Roman and Egyptian, the imprints left behind through art and architecture are some of the greatest examples in the world. Straddling both Europe and Asia thanks to the Bosphorus Strait, this indulgent destination, once only discoverable to those allowed behind the palace doors is now home to some of the best bars and clubs, restaurants and retail all of which ooze with decadence. A weekend or a week here and you will feel like the royalty that the city was built for. Here are our favourite 5-star and luxury hotels to stay at in the city.