Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton

Overlooking two of Istanbul’s most iconic monuments, the Topkapi Palace and the awe-inspiring Hagia Sofia, Hagia Sofia Mansions, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, is an oasis of tranquillity at the heart of Turkey’s most beguiling city.Nestled amongst the ancient streets, Ottoman architecture and hallowed monuments of the city’s Sultanahmet Quarter, this row of former mansion houses have been converted into a stylish hotel, evocative of Istanbul’s rich and colourful history.

Reflecting back to the grandeur of the Ottoman era, the hotel is awash with vibrant colours, geometric patterns and hand carved furniture, with ornate chandeliers and sumptuous fabrics reflecting the hotel’s prestigious location at the historic epicentre of Istanbul. The main hotel building, Yes¸il Ev, is the heart of the hotel, housing many of the spacious and stylish suites, the main facilities and the tranquil courtyard garden. Lined up along historic Sogukçesme Street, the remaining mansions share a wall with the Tokapi Palace, each named after flowers that bloom on along the quiet cobbled street they overlook. Spread across both wings of the hotel, each of the rooms and suites is unique and showcases locally made textiles, hand-carved beds and traditional marble bathrooms with a mini-hammam. Ranging in size from the comfortable and contemporary Superior Rooms through to the expansive Hu¨rrem Sultan Suite that combines two suites within the mansions within Yes¸il Ev, each room offers the same levels of comfort and luxury and a true sense of calm amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. The hotel’s main restaurant is located within Yes¸il Ev, opening out onto the tranquil courtyard gardens. A buffet breakfast and lighter fare is served here, surrounded by the tropical plants and the trickling fountains. The hotel’s other restaurant is housed within an ancient 1,500-year-old water cistern and offers truly atmospheric dining experience, with its vaulted ceiling, exposed brick walls and hallowed atmosphere. Many of the city’s superb local restaurants are within easy walking distance of the hotel, along with some of Istanbul’s most iconic attractions, including the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the incredibly atmospheric subterranean Basilica Cistern.