Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

Four Seasons Sultanahmet sits in Cankurtaran, the quiet lanes just behind Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace are a couple of minutes' walk away, and the Basilica Cistern is close by. The surrounding streets are lined with wooden Ottoman houses, carpet shops, and rooftop cafés, and the Grand Bazaar is a pleasant walk or short tram ride away. A complimentary shuttle connects to the Bosphorus.

Built in 1918, the neoclassical prison once held writers and political prisoners. Watchtowers, vaulted ceilings, tiled details, and a small courtyard mosque recall its past, while the old exercise yard is now a leafy garden at the hotel's heart.

Rooms of 40 square metres and more wrap around the courtyard, with high ceilings, tall wood-framed windows, original Turkish artwork and marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Views take in the garden, the old streets, Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, and the top-floor suites add terraces over the Sea of Marmara or Hagia Sophia.

Avlu Restaurant occupies a glass pavilion in the courtyard and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including wood-oven pide. The rooftop A'YA Lounge pairs Turkish wines and cocktails with views of Hagia Sophia, especially beautiful at night when the domes are lit, while the lobby bar features a fireplace and old cell keys on display.

Kurna Spa is small but beautifully designed, bringing Istanbul's hammam heritage into a contemporary setting. Its hammams offer a traditional scrub and foam wash, followed by massages, facials, or body treatments in quiet, calming rooms. A sauna and fitness room complete the facilities, and guests can also use the sister hotel's pools on the Bosphorus.