Radisson Blu Pera ★★★★★

Behind its contemporary exterior, the Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Pera, sports an impressive Art Deco-style interior. Book into your stylish Superior room and take time to savour the fabulous sea views before you set off to explore the many historic sites within easy walking distance.

Istanbul’s Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Blue Mosque, so named because of its ceiling’s brilliant blue tiles, the Hagia Sophia with its sixth-century dome and the Topkapi Palace Museum. For an alternative view, take a unique boat trip along the Bosphorus that marks the border between Asia and Europe.

For a spot of shopping, navigate Istiklal Street’s cobblestones to seek out exclusive designer boutiques as you’re serenaded by street musicians. Try haggling for bargains in the Grand Bazaar where more than 5,000 shops sell everything from handbags and tablecloths to carpets and spices. Take a break to sip Turkish coffee or have tea and sweet pastries at the Pera Museum Café before walking across the Galata Bridge as the setting sun casts a rosy glow across the mosques and minarets.

Back at the hotel, enjoy a massage or facial in the Botanica Spa to energise you for the night ahead. Sip cocktails in the Luna Lounge bar and head up to the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, a favourite haunt of celebrities, or venture out into the city to party across two continents. After exploring the city’s past and present glories, sink into your pillow-top bed for a restful sleep.