Georges Hotel Galata

To a first-timer, the great surprise about Istanbul is how urbane, how sophisticated, how cosmopolitan a city it is. For every potentially exotic ancient landmark or Ottoman flourish there’s something like the Georges Hotel to balance it out. This stylishly refurbished guest house in the bustling Galata district, with its views of the Bosphorus from its roof terrace, is the sort of effortlessly stylish boutique hotel any of the world’s great cities would be only too happy to have.

It’s smaller in scale and ambition than the big luxury hotels, but the experience scarcely suffers. The rooms lack for nothing in terms of comfort; goose down duvets and solid soundproofing are universal, as are walk-in rain showers. Many rooms look out towards the Bosphorus from private balconies, and whatever’s not to be found in-room will be at your butler’s fingertips.

There’s a conference room in case you’re scheduled for a bit of business, and a yoga instructor available for an in-room lesson. And while the immediate neighborhood contains much of the best of Istanbul’s dining and nightlife, don't short yourself on the rooftop front. Nowhere better for breakfast — nor, for that matter, post-dinner drinks to go with the view.