Kocatas Mansions Istanbul

Kocataş Mansions sits above Sarıyer, a green, village-like corner of the upper Bosphorus close to the Black Sea. Its waterfront is known for fish restaurants and traditional pastry shops, and the elegant villages of Tarabya and Yeniköy are a short drive away. This is a place to slow down: the Old City is around an hour away by car or on the hotel's private boat.

The hotel occupies two faithfully restored Ottoman-era mansions, the Kocataş and Sait Paşa mansions, separated by about 150 years of history. Laurel gardens and lush pathways wrap around the buildings, and heritage architecture meets contemporary comfort, with a gallery and an open-air cinema adding to the charm.

The rooms are spacious, with 40 square metres or more, and feature high ceilings, Ottoman-inspired interiors and marble bathrooms, so that no two are quite alike. Some overlook peaceful courtyards; others face the Bosphorus. Connecting rooms are also available.

Dining is a highlight, with a fine Turkish restaurant, a Latin- and Asian-inspired gastro bar, and an all-day lounge for coffee, light meals, and evening drinks, many of them enjoyed on terraces overlooking the gardens and the water.

The spa is the hotel's heart: a calm, beautifully designed retreat with three traditional Turkish hammams for time-honoured bathing rituals and a menu of signature treatments. Outside, the infinity pool offers panoramic views over the Bosphorus, and the hotel also has an indoor pool and a well-equipped fitness centre.