Romantic Hotels in Istanbul

If the objective on your honeymoon or romantic getaway is to be as close as possible to the city's major attractions — the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace — while lodging in luxury, you can't do better than the Four Seasons Sultanahmet. The hotel is a five-minute walk from every one of them. Originally a prison (the private courtyard was once the inmates' exercise yard), the property has just 65 rooms and suites and does sell out. So if you have your heart set on being in the middle of things, book a stay well in advance.

If you're drawn magnetically to water (as well as luxury), choose the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus as your base of operations. Converted from a 19th-century Ottoman palace, it's located at the water's edge and has more of a resort feel than the preceding hotel. The large spa includes a private suite for two as well as men’s and women’s hammams and a skylit indoor pool. Its outdoor swimming pool and adjacent cafe overlook the Bosphorus Strait, passing yachts and ferries, and Istanbul's Asian side. At night the property is particularly romantic.

Park Hyatt Istanbul Macka Palas opened in 2008 in a building that dates to 1922. Renovated to harmoniously blend Art Deco architecture with state- of-the-art amenities, 90-room hotel is located in the Nisantasi district, a fashionable part of modern Istanbul that's popular with brand-attentive shoppers. Spa bathrooms in select rooms feature a bathtub big enough for two (bath salts and remote control to adjust mood lighting are thoughtfully provided), a shower with a steam option, heated floor, and separate water closet. Dedicated honeymoon suites on the eighth floor offer a big, white-sheeted, king-size bed; a private terrace off the bedroom; and a spacious living room.

Traditionalists will appreciate Ciragan Palace Kempinski hotel by the Bosphorus. There's a precise, practiced formality at this stately property, which prides itself on maintaining high standards of hospitality. Of all the places I've visited, it reminds me most of New York's large, graceful Waldorf=Astoria — if that property had a huge swimming pool beside the Bosphorus. Once the residence of Ottoman sultans, nearly three-quarters of the guest rooms have a sea view and all have balconies. Culturally oriented, the hotel hosts monthly classical music concerts and readings. The late John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Caroline Bessette, visited it on their 1996 honeymoon.

Cool and contemporary, the Edition brand appeals to style-conscious couples. One of the newest hotels in Istanbul's Taksim Square, the Edition has generously scaled guest rooms with a Bang & Olufsen state-of-the-art flat screen LCD TV, free wi-fi, and 24-hour room service. Lounges with deep, sink-in couches are good places to connect with fellow travelers, and the in-house screening room lures movie lovers. The indoor pool, fitness center, hammam, and ESPA spa's couples suite are all fine places to recharge before heading back to the city.

Close to lively Taksim Square, The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul provides honeymoon couples and other romantics with a luxurious perch from which to explore both the modern and ancient city. Spa lovers can indulge a deux in two couples suites. With the Open Air Spa, there's both indoor and outdoor pampering: massages, facials, and body treatments plus private space to sunbathe. There's also a huge indoor pool in the spa and an outdoor pool for all guests.

This recently restored historic hotel is a place of beauty and grandeur, its style a blend of Art Nouveau and Oriental elegance. Among its 115 rooms are 54 with a romantic French balcony overlooking the Golden Horn. Agatha Restaurant, the hotel’s main dining venue, evokes the Orient Express train journey (Murder on the Orient Express was reportedly written here, or at least inspired by the hotel and its guests). The menu includes French, Italian, and Turkish dishes. The ornate Kubbeli Saloon / Lobby Lounge (ceiling pictured) is the hub of the hotel and a fine place to savor English High Tea. In the spa guests can experience the heady scented steams and invigorating body scrubs of a traditional hammam.

If you find wide, encompassing views from up high romantic, choose the modern Marmara Pera, a member of the Marmara hotel collection in the city. Sunset and evening views of the Golden Horn from the rooftop bar, pool, and terrace are simply dazzling. In the upscale Pera district of the city, it's surrounded by shops and consulates. Taksim Square is about a ten-minute walk away. Among luxury romantic Istanbul hotels, the Marmara Pera is an affordable choice.

Another hotel with romantic views, The Marmara Taksim stands on the tallest of Istanbul's seven hills and rises 20 stories. Most guest room windows, as well as the pool on the terrace, overlook Taksim Square, the city beyond, and the Bosphorus. From its big picture windows, the hotel's Panorama Restaurant has a sweeping view of The Bosphorus. It serves Turkish cuisine and serenades honeymoon couples and other lovers with live piano music Monday through Saturday nights.

Another Taksim Square high-rise, the Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul cossets couples in large, comfortable quarters with marble bathrooms. Sexy Jacuzzi suites, ideal for honeymoon couples and other romantics, feature round bathtubs positioned beside a big picture window. Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul contains a restaurant, spa, outdoor pool, and hair salon.