W Istanbul

Turkey’s got history, to put it mildly, but they’re not afraid of a little modernity either — they’ve taken to boutique hotels with zeal, turning out some of the world’s most stylish and surprising hotels. It’s high time some of the more design-centric names moved into Istanbul, and with the advent of the W Istanbul, it seems they have.

Though there are exceptions, Istanbul isn’t a high-rise town, so the W is a bit of a departure for the ordinarily high-flying chain. Instead of a tower it’s a row of converted townhouses, its 142 rooms tucked discreetly away behind their 19th-century facades. The real fireworks are hidden inside, from the baroque décor and dramatic lighting at the reception to the heavy boudoir romance of the guest rooms. Suites verge on excess, some with chandelier-lit living rooms, others with honeymoon-suite circular beds, but even the standard — sorry, Wonderful — rooms come with cleverly disguised 32-inch LCD televisions and king-size beds with 350-thread linens.

The location, in Besiktas, isn’t quite picturebook Istanbul, but what it is is fashionable and upscale — the shopping here is phenomenal, and you won’t mind being a taxi ride from the historical sites. In-house is a Spice Market as well as a couple of other excellent restaurants, as well as a full-service spa and fitness center — you won’t want to shut yourself in, not with vibrant Istanbul just outside, but if you had to, you could, and comfortably.