Opened in 2004, The Marmara Pera has quickly become one of Istanbul's hippest places to stay, combining the luxury of a full-service hotel with the funky decor of a smaller one. The building doesn't look like much from the outside, but the interior is a treat: think of it as an 18-story boutique hotel. The lobby is done in floor-to-ceiling brown-and-cream tiles and has vintage '50s and '60s furniture. Smallish rooms have large windows overlooking the city. There's a small pool on the roof, and the lobby café has an excellent range of cakes and chocolates. Pros: amazing views of city and Golden Horn; great location; good dining options. Cons: expensive for the size of the rooms; pool and fitness center are small.
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