While most Americans tend to check-in to the beloved Four Seasons or newer W Hotel while in Istanbul, there is one hotel that was literally built for royalty. Hotel Les Ottomans sits on the site of a 18th Century waterfront palace on the European side of the Bosphorus home to a Pasha artesian known as Muhsinzade who more than two centuries later found his match in current-owner Ahu Aysal. Virtually abandoned after a fire that destroyed the original residence in the 1930s, the palace has been recreated by Aysal to the look and feel its previous owner might likely have wanted. A dignified three-story white façade hugs the waterline and still looks very much the stately residence.
 
A dramatic lobby foyer with staircase that would shame the White House is lined in hand sewn red carpets and crowned with a massive 100-light crystal chandelier. Not so much as for swimming as for showing off, the circular infinity pool outside is surrounded by an outdoor lounge of local socialites in Chanel sundresses and linen suits with a cabana deck of colorful pastel-trimmed settees and loungers with curtains blowing in the transcontinental winds. During colder and quieter winter months an additional indoor pool located within The Caudalie Vinothérapie spa filled with saltwater from the Dead Sea with stunning circular hammam. 

The Room:

With just 10 rooms, interiors would make a Versace sibling smile within micro-apartments with marble floors, boldly upholstered Louis XIV furnishings and collector-grade artwork acquired by the owner. Perhaps the most stylish of any Istanbul luxury hotel, immaculate guest space ushers visitors to another time from check-in through checkout via period antiques, camera-ready architecture and a staff poised with Ottoman-honed service that doesn’t feel like just another chain hotel. True high-rollers should look into a day on one of the hotel’s three yachts offering trips around the Bosporus and further Aegean and Mediterranean on boats with large indoor/outdoor seating areas, built-in heaters and bows with upper deck sunbathing for any show-off types.