Just down the hill from Taksim in the neighbourhood of Cihangir, Villa Zurich (Akarsu Yoküsü Caddesi 44-46, Cihangir, 293 0604, $60) offers a comfortable perch near the heart of the action. Alternatively, for a spot amid the sights, there are the Ayasofya Pensions (Sogükçesme Sokak, Sultanahmet 513 3660, www.ayasofyapensions.com, from $120), on a picturesque street located plum between Haghia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Other notable hotels include the Four Seasons (Tevkifhane Sokak 1, Sultanahmet, 638 8200, www.fourseasons.com, $320-$550), and the self-confessedly ‘shabby’ Grand Hotel de Londres (Mesrutiyet Caddesi 117, Tepebası, Beyoglu, 245 0670, $65-$105), in which just about everything dates from the early 20th century.

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