Top 10 boutique hotels in Istanbul

Located in the heart of Sultanahmet, within walking distance of iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, the Poem Hotel is a unique tribute to Istanbul's most famous visitors. Each of the 20 colourful rooms is named after a composer, writer, poet or actor with close ties to the city.

All rooms are surprisingly spacious with super soft bedding and a good choice of pillows, tea and coffee making facilities and soundproofed windows with fantastic views. What's more, each room contains a work of art commemorating the person it's named after. For complete luxury, book the penthouse. This room features angled windows above the bed, a large private balcony with stunning sea views and an indoor whirlpool bath.

The breakfast of Turkish specialities changes every morning. Another highlight is the peaceful garden where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

This is one of Istanbul's best boutique hotels if you need to escape a stressful routine... Hotel Amira offers a peaceful retreat in this bustling city day and night. Skilled masseurs invite you to forget your worries, while the spectacular rooftop bar awakens the senses with views that are almost too dazzling to be true.

Standard rooms are bright and graceful, with splashes of bright, cheerful colour, Istanbul-inspired artwork and modern bathrooms with whirlpool baths. For families, spacious suites with interconnecting rooms allow you to relax while enjoying your privacy.

A hearty buffet breakfast is served every morning, featuring all the Turkish classics. In the afternoon, an elegant tea is served.

Romance Istanbul Hotel is one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Istanbul. Each room is designed around a story. Replicas of the sultan's shirts (the authentic ones are inside Topkapi Palace) are on display inside the hotel.

While all rooms are beautiful and feature Ottoman-style headboards, luxurious bedding, parquet floors and handmade carpets, the Romance Suite is the best room for lovers. This intimate space features a king-size bed, a huge marble bathroom with shower and whirlpool bath, and a private veranda with spectacular city views.

The Romance restaurant is the ideal place for a romantic dinner for two accompanied by classic cocktails. If you prefer a dinner with a view, you are invited to visit our partner hotel, Yasmak Sultan.

The White House Hotel is one of the most decadent hotels in the city. The architecture is a wonderful blend of East and West, with its Roman and Ottoman facades.

The elegant rooms feature delicate peach and cream colour palettes, enhanced by glamorous gold detailing and delicate carvings. Traditional French windows and period furniture contrast with sophisticated multi-jet showers and modern coffee machines.

The roof garden is where breakfast is served each morning. Although it does not offer lunch or dinner, there is an almost endless choice on the hotel's doorstep.

Once a sumptuous mansion destroyed by a devastating fire in 1983, the Palais du Bosphore hotel was rebuilt and transformed into an elegant hotel in 1996. The neo-Ottoman building was divided into two areas, one exclusively for women and the other only for men. Today, the extravagant hotel invites all travellers to enjoy all its facilities and rooms.

The 12 rooms that make up the hotel are all uniquely decorated and designed. Wonderfully high ceilings, thick carpets and superb marble bathrooms with luxury amenities are the norm.

The Palace, an opulent suite, is Ottoman in style and boasts bay windows with incredible sea views, as well as a giant bathroom with whirlpool bath and shower. You must dine at the hotel restaurant at least once during your stay. It sets up a few tables on the outdoor terrace near the river.

An industrial-style hotel with a modern, avant-garde feel, SuB Karaköy is one of Istanbul's most unique hotels. With brushed grey walls, bright colours, sturdy wooden decorations and original retro elements, this hotel embraces its innovative character.

The bedrooms are stylish with hardwood floors, bolted metal headboards and modern mismatched lighting. To ensure a perfect night's sleep, there is luxurious bedding, duck down duvets and a full choice of pillows.

Head to the bright and colourful SuB Lounge first thing in the morning for a Turkish breakfast featuring classic specialities. Before heading out for the evening, stop again for a glass of local wine or raki!

Right in the centre of Sultanahmet, the Neorion Hotel is ideal for exploring the sights. Comfortable rooms with fluffy bedding, a choice of pillows and air conditioning ensure a good night's sleep, while the coffee maker, teapot and top-of-the-range toiletries ensure a happy awakening.

For a bit of luxury, treat yourself to the Deluxe room. This huge room has a superb painting on the king-size bed, a separate sitting area with a flat-screen TV and a lovely balcony with magnificent views over the city.

At the end of a long day, the Neorion spa invites you to relax. Take advantage of the indoor pool, hydromassage bath and Turkish baths, or enjoy a massage.

Set inside a renovated 19th-century mansion, Hotel Céline is an excellent choice for being central to all the sights including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. If you decide to explore further afield, there is a tram station just a few minutes away that takes you quickly to other parts of the city.

Hotel Céline features 14 Ottoman-style rooms that blend the old with the new. Marble bathrooms with underfloor heating, antique wooden wardrobes with integrated lighting, super-fast Wi-Fi throughout and personalised bathrobe and slipper sets are just some of the things you can expect.

A traditional Turkish breakfast is served each morning in the picturesque courtyard. There is also a pretty courtyard where you can enjoy a full-bodied Turkish coffee.

The Georges Galata boasts an eclectic Franco-Ottoman design and a history dating back over 100 years. Named after its original owner, the hotel was built in 1882 and prides itself on its exemplary service.

Its outstanding service is one of the reasons it has won awards and appeared on prestigious lists. The personalised butler service, the excellent concierge and the waiters make sure you don't have to lift a finger.

The rooms at the Hotel Georges Galata are simply sublime. Featuring white walls with exposed brickwork, parquet flooring, king-size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and marble bathrooms with fluffy Turkish towels and sumptuous toiletries, the rooms are elegant.

Close to all of Istanbul's main attractions, the Antusa Design offers both a charming and modern style, inspiring calm and serenity.

Its luxurious spa is state-of-the-art and unrivalled, with a traditional Turkish bath, sauna, hammam, salt room and massage cabins to get you back on your feet.

Head upstairs to the Zeugma restaurant for incredible views and classic Turkish dishes. Here you can treat your taste buds to iconic dishes such as pide (Turkish pizza), kebap (seasoned meat kebabs) and manti (small stuffed dumplings) while admiring the panoramic views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.