The Best Hotels to Book in Turkey for Every Traveller

One for history lovers, this hotel is found within a restored Ottoman mansion located in the Istanbul suburb of Kanlica. The A’jia Hotel, is situated on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, a short boat ride away from the city’s old town. Enjoy views of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge from the al fresco restaurant, or relax in the boutique comfort of the waterside suites. If you’re after a secluded location within reach of the city’s main sights, this is the Istanbul hotel for you.

Art enthusiasts will enjoy a stay at the Rixos Pera in Istanbul, as it’s just a short walk from the Museum of Modern Art and the Pera Museum, a gallery dedicated to 19th-century artworks from the eastern world. This five-star luxury hotel is one for foodies too, featuring three restaurants offering a fusion of eastern and western cuisine. After admiring the sea views and delighting in a meal on the terrace, you can unwind at the Rixos Pera spa, where the full Turkish bath experience is available.

The perfect place for history-loving foodies, the Divan Cukurhan has had a long life serving weary travellers outside the gates of Ankara’s ancient citadel. This restored Ottoman-era inn dates back as far as the 16th century and was brought back to life with a modern boutique overhaul in 2007. The lobby bar and the Safranhan Brasserie serve dishes and drinks fit for a Sultan, inspired by centuries of Ottoman cooking.

The restored timbers and whitewashed walls of the White Garden Hotel will transport you back to a long-gone era. Located in Antalya’s historic Kaleici district, this historic hotel is just a short walk from Roman ruins and the ancient harbour where travellers have been disembarking for millennia. It’s perfect for beach lovers too, because the sands of Mermerli Beach are just 200m (656ft) away from the hotel.

Spend the night living in the strange luxury of an underground cave hotel. Cappadocia is known for its cave dwellings, with entire underground cities, such as Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, being high on the must-see list. The hotel rooms at the Ottoman Cave Suites have been carved from rock, before being finished with Cappadocian rugs and rock-hewn bathtubs. Your options range from the basic Stone Room, right up to the luxury King Suite.

Presumably named after characters in Greek mythology, and not the high street shop, Argos Cappadocia is an Instagram hotspot. This hotel offers photogenic views over the valleys of Cappadocia from its rocky perch in the village of Uçhisar, and even the standard rooms have their own stone terraces. Start the day with a hot air balloon ride over the otherworldly landscape and end the day with Anatolian food and wine, all produced with ingredients and grapes from the on-site garden and vineyard.

If you’re looking for secluded, small-town charm on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, the Luna Hotel in Kas could be the place for you. This boutique hotel offers double and triple rooms with balconies and some of the best sea views in town. Oh, and you can be on the beach in just 10 minutes after a pleasant stroll through Kas.

If you’re an avid hiker, then the Likya Yolu Palas Hotel is your gateway to Turkey’s long-distance, Mediterranean walking path. The Likya Yolu – or Lycian Way – stretches from Fethiye in the north, 300mi (482km) south to Antalya, and along the way, it takes in ancient Roman ruins and secluded coastal villages. Offering an outdoor pool, boutique rooms and an organic restaurant, the Likya Yolu Palas Hotel makes for a great base while you explore the surrounding walking routes.

Anyone looking for luxury and value should book into Hotel Villa Mahal on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Having claimed a prestigious award for being the best value luxury hotel in Europe and the Mediterranean, this is one hotel where you get your money’s worth. It has its own private beach overlooking Kalamar Bay and a freshwater swimming pool to cool off in; with just 13 rooms, you won’t be crowded out even in summer, leaving plenty of room to book a day trip on the hotel’s private sightseeing yacht.

Hidden away among the rocky cliffs and valleys of Lycia is the Degirmen Hotel. Located in the village of Faralya, the hotel overlooks Butterfly Valley, a steep, craggy ravine that leads down to the Aegean Sea. Yes, there are lots of butterflies here, and you’ll find many in the green, almost tropical garden that surrounds the hotel. Enjoy the cool swimming pool, fed by natural springs, while preparing your own meals in the self-catered apartments found in this old watermill.

What’s so unique about Fethiye’s Hotel Unique, you might be asking? Is it its unique Mediterranean location with the town of Fethiye in one direction and beaches in the other? Alternatively, it could be the unique Nude restaurant offering deconstructed Ottoman and modern fusion cuisine. There’s plenty on offer at this boutique hotel, including a spa, sailing trips to secluded islands and a premium room that comes complete with a private garden jacuzzi.