Ottoman Mansion Inns in Istanbul

In the former imperial capital of Istanbul (Constantinople), you'll stay in Ottoman-style mansion inns which recreate the richness and romance of the old-time City of the Sultans.

Turkey Home Page - Private Gulet / Thursday One week Yacht : Start Istanbul

Upgrade to the Sultan's Suite - Corner room at the Arena Hotel in Istanbul

One week Mediterranean Gulet Group cruise departure

or the 10-day group departure on Fridays

Hotel Arena

The Hotel Arena is like an elegant Ottoman home open to travelers.

Owned and personally managed by Mrs Gul Kucukserim, the Hotel Arena is a small Ottoman-style mansion hotel only a stone's throw from the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Sancta Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Turkish carpets and traditional crafts such as faience (fine colored tile work), filigree brass, miniature painting and embroidery give a richness and historic aspect to the decor. The service is personal and individual, and the view from the rooftop terrace of Old Istanbul and the Sea of Marmara is simply breathtaking.

Hotel Armada

A marble fountain greets you as you arrive at the Hotel Armada.

The Hotel Armada is a somewhat larger building located right next to the Byzantine city walls and only steps from the Sea of Marmara shore. Like the Arena, the Armada prides itself on its Ottoman-style decor typified by the tinkling fountain of creamy marble which graces the reception area. Along with the hotel's personal service, the old-time ambience gives guests the feel of staying in an Ottoman mansion. Istanbul's major sights are only a few minutes' stroll away along the cobble stoned streets of the ancient Cankurtaran quarter.

As a thank-you gift for your paid trip reservation, we will send you a  copy of "Turkey: Bright Sun, Strong Tea," a humorous travel memoir  written by Tom Brosnahan, one of America's most prominent travel  writers. Brosnahan has written travel guidebooks to Morocco, Tunisia,  Egypt, Israel and Turkey, so he knows the Mediterranean well. "Bright  Sun, Strong Tea" is the story of his discovery of this wonderful area,  and how he came to write so many guidebooks about it. It's perfect  on-the-plane or end-of-the-day travel reading, and we'll send it to you  with our compliments. To read excerpts of the book, or to order additional autographed  copies, click here.

Turkey Home Page - Private Gulet / Yacht