For travelers who prefer a larger, full-service property with a reliable brand name over the boutique hotels and inns scattered around this region, the upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Istanbul City could tick all the right boxes. The property includes multiple dining and drinking options, impressive business amenities, a spa-equipped wellness center, plus a sizable outdoor pool (a rarity in these parts). Moreover, its 203 rooms are undeniably well outfitted with each featuring minibars, LCD satellite TVs, laptop safes, and iPod docks. The downside is that the overall look is dated, and reported issues concerning maintenance only exacerbate that. Travelers prepared to sacrifice the swimming pool would be better off booking into the upscale Ramada Istanbul Grand Bazaar instead: it offers more sophisticated, contemporary accommodations closer to the top attractions.