We are staying over in Istanbul after a cruise and wondered if this group would share your always valuable insight into the best 5 star located for old town sightseeing.

I think the Four Seasons would be it. In Sultanahmet between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, a short walk to the Topkapi Palace and walking distance to just about everything else you might want to see. I'm sorry to say I didn't stay there but nearby. http://tinyurl.com/lntv2uo

We're staying nearby right now. The Four Seasons is a beautiful hotel in.a great location.

It's been awhile, but when we stayed at the Four Seasons the major drawback was that Sultanahment was dead at night. Not a fun area for eating and strolling at night.

I concur with Marija - the Sultanahmet is very quiet at night.

That said, it IS a perfect location if you're only staying for a day or two - even with the relative lack of nighttime options due it it's proximity to many major tourist sites (the only ones you'll have time for on a 1-2 day visit). I have a feeling this is your time frame, no?

HOWEVER, if you'll be in Istanbul 3 days or more, then it would be far better to stay in the Beyoğlu district, IMO. Pera Palace Hotel and Tomtom Suites are two hotels you may want to look at there.

The up side of the Sultanahmet area at the moment is no riots.

My favorite is the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

http://www.kempinski.com/en/istanbul...image-gallery/

If you're lucky, you will be upgraded to the actual palace itself.

I found it easy to get around on foot and had no difficulty from the hotel.

I also like the Ciragan Kempinski.

The Ritz Carlton is very posh but you have to cab it everywhere, although you can walk up the hill to Taksim Square. OK maybe not a good idea.

You can go in other direction and cross the road to Dolmebache Palas.

Sultanahmet is a dead tourist village overrun with carpet salesmen.

Thin, knows posh

Did you take notice that the Shangri-la just opened in Istanbul?

It is not far from the Dolmabache Palas.


Thin

There is also Four Seasons Bosphorus, again closer to Besiktas and Dolmabahce Palace than Ciragan Kempinsky.

However, the proximity of Kempinsky to the entertainment area just past Ortakoy or even at Ortakoy is a major advantage.

Ortakoy is a crowded middle class seaside square with cafes and restaurants but with a few good upscale bars and restaurants like Anjelik, Istanbul Jazz Club, Feriye, etc.

Further up are the posh supper clubs Reina and Sortie, each with 608 restaurants in a horses shoe shape and a large bar in the middle, next to the Bosphorus.

Another alternative is Bebek Hotel. Great large rooms, although lacking in as good service as the others, but location is in the thick of the upscale Bebek area with great bars and restaurants at your feet.

Also best area for a morning or late night walk along the sea towards the Rumeli fortress and a breakfast or drink at one of many pleasant cafes there. All local. Nary a tourist in sight.

All these excellent hotels can provide sea taxi service to and back from the old town and.or to the cruise ship docks so that you would not need to suffer any traffic inconvenience.

We have used the sea taxi quite a few times and found it very safe, fast and reasonably comfortable. (can pay by credit card)

If you do not mind the expense of the sea taxi, I would definitely recommend Bebek hotel or Ciragan Kempinsky above any other alternative.

Many Thanks to all of you. As usual, the insight on this site is priceless. Looks like the Four Seasons in Sultanahmet.