Dosso Dossi Hotels Old City ★★★★

My husband and I had long dreamed about our trip to Istanbul, flicking through colourful guidebooks and watching tantalising travel documentaries which only further whet our appetite. We always thought that although jam-packed full of culture, the bustling Turkish capital was bound to be one of our more tiring city break adventures. But that was not the case when staying at the Dosso Dossi Hotels Old City ****, which boasts the perfect combination of central location and peaceful comfort.

The hotel’s inviting aura is prevalent from the very first glance. As we stood before it, the cool white façade glittered in the scorching Turkish sun, dotted with pretty red canopies over the windows, and upon entering we were welcomed with shiny marble flooring and sumptuous interior decorations. Our prestigious Executive Room continued the serene theme, with its large, clean and elegant spaces. Little contemporary touches such as a Nespresso machine, iPod dock and soundproofing ensured all our wishes were catered for.  

We spend our first evening in the comfort of the Tulip Old City restaurant, where we were able to sample our first taste of traditional Turkish fare, alongside a large choice of other international cuisines. After enjoying a refreshing beverage in the elegant setting of the Lobby Lounge, I was dying to check out the spa facilities before we headed to bed – so it was with great pleasure that I discovered that a Turkish bath, steam room, sauna, fitness centre and massage facilities were all on offer.

But before we indulged in some pampering, it was time to get out and do some exploring! The next day, we found that the hotel’s positioning in the Sultanahmet area was more than ideal - we were able to race through our long itinerary due to the fact that well-known sights such as the Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque were within walking distance. And if we did want to head further afield, the tramway and train stations were just down the road.
    
So did our long-anticipated trip to Istanbul live up to our expectations? Yes, in fact it exceeded them. How could it do anything but, when we were staying in such an elegant central establishment as the Dosso Dossi Hotels Old City?