The quiet Villa Zurich, in the heart of Cihangir, is a good base for exploring this neighborhood and the rest of Istanbul. The lobby is small and rather simple, but the rooms were completely renovated in 2006 (maybe the lobby will be next), with new furniture, carpeting, and bathrooms. The decor is modern and rooms are done in browns, neutrals, and dark blues. The top floor is home to Doga Balik, one of Istanbul's best fish restaurants, and is also where breakfast is served in summer, with a nice view of the Golden Horn. Pros: location in hip residential neighborhood; good value. Cons: some rooms and bathrooms have unpleasant odors.
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