Editor's Choice: Istanbul's Ottoman Boutique Hotels

Some of the Ottoman mansions in the historic district of Sultanahmet and the suburbs on the Bosphorus have been converted into small boutiques hotels that offer comfortable and atmospheric accommodation, close to many of the city's main attractions.

In recent years, Turkey has made a considerable effort to develop its hotel facilities. A large number of faceless concrete high-rises have gone up at some resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coast to provide accommodation for visitors on package tours. Away from these there are smaller boutique hotels that offer real character.

Grading: Hotels registered with the Ministry of Tourism are graded from 1 star (1 yildizli) to 5 stars (5 yildizli). There are also unclassified hotels that have no stars, which can range from poor to acceptable. Classification is based on the standard of service and facilities. Motels and holiday villas are first class (1 sinif) or second class (2 sinif). There are other establishments registered with local authorities, and these too correspond to a certain standard in regard to facilities and services. There is also a national hotel association, TUROB (see Accommodation Information below). 

Guest houses (pensions) can be found in holiday resorts and major towns. The guest houses in the region of Cappadocia are sometimes found in caves dug into the soft volcanic rock. Some guest houses also double as hostels, offering dormitory accommodation as well as private en suite rooms.

Villas and apartments can be rented, especially on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, and also in Cappadocia and the larger cities. Time share properties are also starting to take-off in Turkey, most usually in the resorts along the Aegean or Mediterranean coast and in Istanbul.

There are numerous sites, but facilities are generally limited.

There are a number of excellent youth hostels in Turkey. The Yücelt Interyouth Hostel in Istanbul (see Accommodation Information below) is a member of Hostelling International. In recent years a number of private hostels aimed at backbackers have opened for business, especially in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district. Some hostels also offer private rooms in addition to dormitory accommodation.

TUROB (Touristic Hotels and Investors Association)
Cumhuriyet Cad. Pak Apt. Kat 6 D: 12, Harbiye (Divan Oteli Yani), 34437 Şişli-Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: (212) 296 2464.
Website: www.turob.org

Yücelt Interyouth Hostel
Caferiye Sok No 6/1, Sultanahmet 34400, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: (0212) 513 6150.

Istanbul Hotels Guide
Website: www.istanbulhotelsguide.com

Turkey Hostels
Website: www.turkey-hostels.com