AJWA Sultanahmet

What’s new is old again at Ajwa Sultanahmet. Though it’s a brand new hotel, Ajwa strives to blend effortlessly into this most historic of Istanbul’s neighborhoods. To that end, it steers well clear of the modern boutique minimalism that’s on display elsewhere in town. This is pure Ottoman style, albeit a contemporary vision thereof — alongside the finely wrought woodwork and the meticulous traditional crafts you’ll find all the services and amenities of a contemporary five-star luxury hotel.

In the rooms this means traditional latticework and ornate geometric patterns alongside 4K televisions, remote-controlled blinds, and radiant underfloor heating. The bathrooms are visions in marble and tile but underneath it all they’re perfectly modern, and the way the Ajwa towers over the neighboring buildings is nothing but good news when it comes to views of the city.

Of particular note is the restaurant, which, in addition to its panoramic views, speciaizes in Azerbaijani cuisine — not extraordinarily dissimilar to Turkish cuisine, but different enough to give Ajwa a bit of distinction. Don’t miss the hammam, an utterly traditional feature of Istanbul life. In this case there’s nothing unusual about it at all; it’s the sheer opulence of the place that sets it apart.