5 lovely boutique hotels in Istanbul

A beautiful neo-renaissance apartment building designed by Alexandre Vallaury in 1881 (for the French Levantine businessman Mr. Henri Hypollite Décugis and his family) is now the Galata Antique Hotel. Individually decorated rooms have a simple yet elegant design while breakfast is served on the roof terrace with a great Istanbul view.

Inside a 19th-century apartment building with a very Parisian vibe in its muted elegance, Georges’ rooms have marvellous views from floor-to-ceiling French windows, while the glass elevator leads guests up to the candlelit terrace restaurant and bar.

Tomtom Suites is housed in an elegantly renovated building originally constructed as the Soeurs Garde-Malades Apartment in 1901 for the Franciscan nuns. Stay in one of the twenty modern rooms and enjoy breakfast or dinner at the Michelinstar worthy Nicole Restaurant on the top floor with gorgeous views.

This young boutique hotel gave new life to the former Collège des Frères St. Pierre Elementary School built in 1842, which had stood abandoned since its closure in 1935. The former classrooms are now guest rooms overlooking the central courtyard and the Il Cortile Ristorante Pizzeria inspired by the Italian architect Gaspare Trajano Fossati, who designed the school.

Harbouring the gentle nature of a true Istanbul gentleman, this hotel is thoroughly inspired by the quiet and historic demeanour of the Tomtom neighbourhood. The rooms, with young design touches in bold colours, overlook the iconic St. Antoine Church. On the rooftop, cocktails or glasses of Turkish wine and tapas are accompanied by endless views of the city and the Bosphorus.