You go to Istanbul because it is one of the world’s great historic cities. So why stay in a boring hotel? You want to stay in something charming, something with a connection to the city with a unique character. Step forward to the Dersaadet Hotel. The name means “place of felicity and beauty” which is an epithet richly deserved.

The same family has operated the hotel for generations and all the interiors have been custom made to their strict specifications; from the ornate Turkish rugs to the patterned hardwood walls. Your suite is decorated with Ottoman luxury using rich velvet and fine materials - you also have a whirlpool bath and all the modern conveniences. The glamorous roof terrace is where you will want to dine and relax in the evenings enraptured by the view of the Sea of Marmara.

The hotel is on a ‘real’ street away from the tourist hub but still within walking distance of the main sights of Istanbul including the amazing Ayos Sophia – a fifth-century church that remains one of the architectural wonders of the world.