The sultans meet Las Vegas in this glitzy recreation of an Ottoman palace. A courtyard with a fountain leads to the hotel, the exterior of which is painted a dusty pink and has faux pink granite columns; the lobby has grand marble stairways and a stained-glass atrium. Rooms are also opulent, with marble-lined, hamam-style bathrooms in most (instead of a shower or tub, there's a small marble-lined room with a faucet, a marble ledge to sit on, and a copper bowl; to wash, you fill the bowl with water and pour it over yourself), as well as plush bedspreads, and cushioned divans for reclining and gazing out the windows. Three deluxe rooms have sea views, while eight new standard rooms have tubs instead of hamam baths. A restaurant in back has a terrace looking over the Sea of Marmara. Pros: location just behind Blue Mosque; elegant decor and feel. Cons: top-floor rooms small; hamam-style bathrooms not for everyone.
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