Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus, IstanbulFour Seasons Hotel Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey has a corrected score of 4.0 ± 0.1 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms), ranked 25 of 245 hotels we score in Istanbul. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 4.1 before correction: Booking.com 4.1, Tripadvisor 4.1, Google 4.3, Agoda 3.9. Rooms from about $989 a night (cached, not a live quote).Located on the Bosphorus waterfront near the Sultanahmet district, this hotel occupies a renovated 19th-century Ottoman palace. The property features high-ceilinged rooms and a mix of traditional and modern interiors. Guests can access indoor and heated outdoor swimming pools, a Turkish hammam spa, and various massage services. On-site dining options include a restaurant, while business travellers can utilise the dedicated business centre. The hotel is pet friendly and provides valet parking. While the historic architecture and waterfront setting suit luxury seekers, the check-in process can sometimes be slow. It is a suitable choice for those wanting a grand, historic atmosphere by the water.What stands out

Waterfront palace setting

Indoor and heated outdoor pools

On-site spa and hammam

Pet friendly facilities

Watch out for

Slow check-in process

Better-scored in Istanbul

Sansaryan Han Istanbul, Istanbul: 4.4 ± 0.2 (solid evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), from $372 a night. Sansaryan Han Istanbul is a neoclassical building from 1895 located in the Sirkeci district on the historic peninsula.

Ajwa Hotel Sultanahmet Lvx, Istanbul: 4.3 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), from $416 a night. Ajwa Hotel Sultanahmet Lvx is a five-star property situated in the historic Sultanahmet district.

Royan Hagia Sophia Radisson Ind, Istanbul: 4.3 ± 0.2 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms), from $241 a night. Royan Hagia Sophia Radisson Ind is a four-star boutique hotel situated in the Sultanahmet district.