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Istanbul Suggestions and Advice

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    I'd very much appreciate it if anyone who has been to Istanbul in recent years offer some advice and suggestions on hotels, and restaurants. I don't plan on doing much sightseeing, as I will only be there for a weekend. Thank you in advance.

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    We stayed at The Ciragan Palace in Istanbul a few years ago and we loved it. It was the ultimate in luxury. Located right on the shore, overlooking the Bosphorus, it is widely considered to be, by far, the best hotel in Istanbul and is often included as one of the best hotels in the entire world. It is NOT located in the middle of the city, however. It's about fifteen minutes by car from the center of Istanbul. Some people might consider that a drawback, but we didn't. The location was much more scenic and it was very convenient to a ferry terminal, which was within easy walking distance, from which you could take a quick ferry ride to the "Asian shore" and up the Bosphorus. What a wonderful hotel!

    Thanks from: vernon
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    The Four Seasons in Istanbul is also a good choice and a great location in Sultanahmet. It was actually a former prison from the ottoman empire. It has a very nice feel to it and very nice rooms, but I would follow DonPablo's advice and choose the Ciragan over the Four Seasons to tell you the truth.

    Thanks from: DonPablo, vernon
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    taksim square is a better location if you like to spend a week there mainly for sightseeing and shopping,
    cab fares will be cheaper,u got to take it to the consideration that in istanbul ,price of gas a gallon is 14 US Dollars.
    If you stayed in ciragan and paln to go to the topkapi,blue mosque or covered pazzar.u will spend a fortune,and traffic moves slow.
    try dolmus from taksim square to go any of those sight seeings,you will be saving so much money.it will cost you 10 % of cab bill.Also eating out is very cheap,try local places,very clean restaurants.Big Hotels have Euro prices,charge u so high.
    I have lived there as an expat for 5 years,I was much more happier there than Singapore.

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    Living close to Turkey, we visit Istanbul on a regular basis, and always stop at the Ritz Carlton - which is walking distance to Taksim, although we generally get a cab - on the club floor, the service is out of this world, the food is excellent, the spa is great, fantastic Bosphorus / Galata Bridge / Asian Istanbul views ..... I could go on. We have never had anything to complain about.

    We thought we would have a change last xmas and try the Four Seasons - another great location for sight-seeing - but it was full; still fancy it sometime. Istanbul is a wonderful city, full of life, atmosphere, character, amazing history, fab restaurants and shopping.

    There are reviews, pictures and links to the Ritz Carlton on my website
    www.travelwritersreviews.com

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    Forgot to mention my thoughts on The Ciragan.

    We stayed there a couple of years ago and thought it too large and impersonal. Drinks prices were soooo over the top it was ridiculous.

    Food was good, but not overly so for the money - although the breakfast was superb - and staff service were very hit and miss. The Ritz-Carlton beats it hands-down in our opinion.

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