Nestled in a 19th-century neoclassical masterpiece, Grand Hotel de Londres transports you to the illustrious era of the Belle Époque, a time when European explorers flocked to Istanbul discover the mysteries of the Orient. The hotel owes its renewed popularity in the mid-2000s to the films of Golden Bear laureate, Turkish director Fatih Akın. The ornate decoration in the lobby has entertaining eccentricities like a giant parrot, vintage music machines and gramophones, among others. The rooms, surprisingly affordable, exude an old-fashioned charm with wooden cabinets, retro wallpapers, and velvet drapery.
TIME OUT TIP: The hotel’s unpretentious terrace bar attracts the artsy crowd and expats who come for sundowners against the encaptivating views of the Golden Horn.