Laid-back, fun and very friendly, the Bahaus may yet pip the competition and become Istanbul's busiest hostel. It's a few steps from Istanbul's backpacker hub and very close to all the sights. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Gilded furniture, heavy velvet curtains, plush carpets: Bosphorus Palace Hotel is the ultimate in Ottoman-era palatial extravagance in an unbeatable location right on the Bosphorus. Here you can watch the ferry boats and hulking Russian container ships pass right outside your win… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Beyoglu is the hub of modern Istanbul and this hip hostel is the place to base yourself if you're here to sample Istanbul's thriving nightlife. It's in a good backstreet spot, a short stagger from the bars but far enough away to escape the noise for when you do want to sleep. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Cordial is a very friendly option well away from backpacker-central, Akbiyik Caddesi in Sultanahmet, but still very close to the sights. There is a huge selection of rooms and a great bunker-style lounge/bar. It's also the closest budget option to the Grand Bazaar. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Roughly translated, the name of this hotel means 'The Place of Happiness' in Turkish, and we're confident that guests will be more than happy with this comfortable mid-sized hotel. In a painstakingly restored Ottoman wooden house, the interior features exquisitely painted ceiling… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Kooky, there's no doubt about it: chintz statues, bad-taste Roman-inspired friezes, heart-shaped pillows. They certainly broke the mould when they decorated this hotel. We're not quite sure how to take Angel's Home, but we like it. For maximum Angel's experience book the pickup f… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

With its garden outlook, great terrace and attentive staff, Hotel Poem may not win awards for the most attractive makeover, but it certainly offers a comfortable and welcoming stay. Each room is named after a Turkish poem, framed above your bed. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Sultan's Inn is in a pleasant, quiet neighbourhood away from the hullabaloo of Sultanahmet, but still within walking distance of all the sights. It's a pleasant option, though with seemingly little to write home about until you see the terrace… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Uyan is in a close race with the Tria Hotel, Tan Otel and Ottoman Hotel Imperial for the title of best new midrange addition to the old city's sleeping scene. Like its competitors, it offers comfortable and attractive rooms with a good range of amenities and high levels of se… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This well-appointed hostel has some of the cheapest and cleanest rooms in town. It's a great-value option and close to all the sights. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

One of a fast-sprouting crop of boutique hotels around town, this self-consciously hip place has 22 attractive rooms of varying sizes, all of which are individually decorated and presented with nice touches such as L'Occitane toiletries and CD players. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Perfectly positioned overlooking Taksim Sq, this very popular hotel is an Istanbul institution. It's slick, plush and has all the five-star mod-cons you'd expect in a very friendly, laid-back but professional package. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

It's a bit rough around the edges, but tiny Mavi Guesthouse is a perennial favourite for its location (a short stroll to Istanbul's top sights), friendly hosts and chilled atmosphere. It's not geared for partying, but is more for travellers who prefer to swap travelling yarns ove… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This special little spot is in the heart of a lovely neighbourly district of tumbledown wooden houses, a short walk from all the sights. Naz is also an old Ottoman house, so it nicely fits the neighbourhood, but inside it's been fully refurbished in traditional style. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Istanbul's best-known and most popular hostel, the Orient has been around forever and, showing admirable staying power, it's still going strong. It's right in the heart of Istanbul's backpacker hub and very close to Istanbul's main sights. It's also one of the cheapest options in… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Hands down one of the best budget choices in the city, Stone Hotel has excellent rooms, super views and garden, and very friendly staff to boot. It's well located away from backpacker central, but still only a stone's throw (ha) off the end of the Hippodrome. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

If you're here to party, this basic backpackers is right in the touristy heart of the action. In fact the streetside cafe/bar is the action most nights. The accommodation itself is nothing special, but if you need a bed within staggering distance from the busy cafe/bar, Sultan is… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This funky little sister of the landmark hotel in Taksim Square opened in 2004 and has been a popular choice with glam globetrotters ever since. Rooms are small-ish but extremely well appointed, featuring quality touches such as a magazine selection, pillow menu and stylish white… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Behind Vardar's gorgeous Seljuk-inspired facade are a range of surprisingly top-grade rooms given the price. And it's well located just a few steps off Taksim Sq. Upon entering, look up to see the gorgeous ornate ceiling and sparkling chandelier. Unfortunately this elegance isn't… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Occupying the architecturally significant 4 Vakif Han, this recently opened five-star hotel conversion is a mass of contradictions. The 'Kulliye' rooms are massive and wonderfully full of light, whereas the 'Atrium' rooms are relatively small and dark - bizarrely, there's no diff… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A large wooden house adorned with flower-filled window boxes, the Artefes is almost a prototype of a safe midrange accommodation choice. It offers clean, sun-drenched rooms featuring amenities such as satellite TV and hairdryer. The foyer and roof terrace are impressive and the l… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Though a newcomer to the competitive Cankurtaran hostel scene, we reckon this well-run place is likely to be a stayer. Dorms on the ground floor are a bit dingy, but those above are light, freshly painted and clean. There's a foyer with large-screen satellite TV and a rooftop bar… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Vegas-style furniture and marble floors in its lobby are the Erboy's only attempts at glamour. The rest of the place is resolutely mom-and-pop style, with small rooms that are clean but without frills. On the plus side, the location, near Topkapi, is central and quiet, and th… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Serious shoppers seduced by the prospect of bunking down close to the Grand Bazaar could do a lot worse than stay in this well-run and reasonably priced place. Rooms are characterless but extremely clean, and there's a pleasant rooftop terrace and restaurant. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This recently opened four-star hotel is in a wonderful location just outside the walls of Topkapi Palace. Once the city's main youth hostel, the building has been extensively renovated and features large rooms decorated with Ottoman-style ceramics, textiles and ebru (traditional … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

You could do a lot worse than book into one of the deluxe or renovated rooms here, which are clean, comfortable and well priced. The exterior is unprepossessing, but the interior can hold its own with most of the city's business hotels. There's an English-style pub downstairs tha… Full Lonely Planet Review ›