Hotel: The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

A really stunning addition to the Four Seasons portfolio, this hotel used to be a sultan-era prison which has now been turned into a palace. The hotel was called the Sultanahmet Jail and is often confused with the Sağmalcılar Prison, which was the subject of the film Midnight Express. The small exhibit of prison artifacts in the hotel lobby seems to confuse travelers even more. With just 65 guest rooms and suites, the property is intimate, exclusive, and the service is typical Four Seasons' five star. Rooms are on the large side, with big, decadent marble bathtubs and cozy sitting areas near large banks of windows that must have been adorned with bars in the old days. The hotel's historic architecture creates a variety of unique rooms and suites, all nestled around an enclosed courtyard, and you can truly say that there's no room with a bad view. When the hotel opened several years ago, it was considered one of the best in the city and its street cred hasn't diminished. If you're

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A really stunning addition to the Four Seasons portfolio, this hotel used to be a sultan-era prison which has now been turned into a palace. The hotel was called the Sultanahmet Jail and is often confused with the Sağmalcılar Prison, which was the subject of the film Midnight Express. The small exhibit of prison artifacts in the hotel lobby seems to confuse travelers even more. With just 65 guest rooms and suites, the property is intimate, exclusive, and the service is typical Four Seasons' five star. Rooms are on the large side, with big, decadent marble bathtubs and cozy sitting areas near large banks of windows that must have been adorned with bars in the old days. The hotel's historic architecture creates a variety of unique rooms and suites, all nestled around an enclosed courtyard, and you can truly say that there's no room with a bad view. When the hotel opened several years ago, it was considered one of the best in the city and its street cred hasn't diminished. If you're looking for elegance, class, and don't mind seeking action elsewhere, this is a great place to quarter yourself. Remember that in Istanbul, bringing locals back to your elegant hotel is a no no.

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