Celal Sultan Hotel

The plain, biscuit-colored masonry facade of the Cela Sultan Hotel belies its warm interior. The hotel fills three buildings, including the main structure, an Ottoman design lined with wrought-iron flower boxes. The lobby has an eclectic feel: bright-red velvet sofas, Oriental rugs on wooden floors, and collections of mirrors on the dark-brown walls. The lantern-like accent lamps and sconces create an intimate vibe that encourages lingering, and there's a small bar to one side. A spiral staircase with velvety red carpeting leads up to rooms, as does the elevator. There are meeting rooms, including two with windows to the outside, that range from cozy with white wooden chairs and yellow walls to corporate board rooms. Business travelers will find modern amenities in a city where solid Wi-Fi is a rarity. The breakfast room, within a winter garden setting, has doors that open to a courtyard. The most coveted amenity is the hotel's restaurant terrace, with white couches and glass tables where guests can take in views of the enchanting city of Istanbul.

The Cela Sultan Hotel is set amidst the jewels of Istanbul's attractions, many within walking distance of the hotel. The Hagia Sophia, once a consecrated mosque and now a museum, is visible from the hotel's terrace restaurant and a four-minute walk. The magisterial Blue Mosque is a seven-minute walk. (Female visitors must cover their heads and shoulders upon entry to any mosques; all visitors must remove their shoes.) The Tokapi Palace, a dazzling compound of minarets and domed roofs with what is arguably the best view of the Bosphorus, is a six-minute walk. Reaching the Grand Bazaar and its extensive maze of shops is a 13-minute walk. The Galata Bridge, which spans Istanbul's Golden Horn and is itself a hive of fishing, wares-peddling, and eating, is an eight-minute drive. The Sultanahmet Tram is a five-minute walk from the hotel and will link visitors to Istanbul's diverse neighborhoods. The Attaturk Airport is a 32-minute drive from the hotel without traffic. Food choices, from white tablecloths to stalls selling cones of mussels next to the Bosphorus, are everywhere in surrounding streets. 

After navigating the vibrant, chaotic streets of Istanbul, there's a sense of calm in the rooms of the Celal Sultan Hotel. The color palettes anchor this peacefulness with rooms walled in pale blue or russet red with white pendant lights. Bigger rooms have velour sofas beneath Venetian mirrors and round tables and chairs. Bedspreads are flock or paisley patterned, and set off with velvety pillows. The bathrooms are marble in a sophisticated soft gray, and have showers, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and the hotel's own toiletries -- but no bathtubs. All rooms have air-conditioning, although strengths may vary, minibars, coffee/tea facilities, and flat-screen TVs. There are two Suites, 22 Superior Rooms, and 31 Standard Rooms -- none will feel like a chain hotel, and some have balconies for taking in the old city views. 

The Celal Sultan is a hotel with an elevator, a basic amenity that can be rare in Istanbul. It also has free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning (although its effectiveness can be shaky), and meeting rooms, including two with windows to the outside. There's a safety deposit box in the lobby and rooms are opened via key cards. The front desk is staffed 24 hours. There's a concierge who can arrange airport transfers for a fee. The hotel has free breakfast, with frequently changing items such as homemade cheese and yogurt, and a terrace restaurant serving Turkish and Western cuisine and, best of all, overlooking the wondrous Hagia Sophia. The restaurant was under construction in the fall of 2015. But breakfast service was still offered as was 24-hour room service.