Istanbul

Few cities carry their history as dramatically as Istanbul. Straddling Europe and Asia along the Bosphorus, the former imperial capital layers Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques and palaces with Art Nouveau apartments, grand waterfront mansions and striking contemporary architecture. From the historic streets of Sultanahmet to the creative energy of Karaköy, Galata and Beyoğlu, Istanbul is a city of constant contrasts, where centuries of architecture and culture remain part of everyday life.

Food and drink are equally woven into the city’s identity. Traditional meyhanes, bustling markets, neighbourhood bakeries and legendary kebab restaurants sit alongside ambitious contemporary kitchens, rooftop bars and an increasingly sophisticated cocktail scene. Turkish breakfast can occupy an entire morning, while evenings stretch from meze and local wines to late-night drinks overlooking the Bosphorus. Coffee and tea remain rituals in their own right.

Istanbul’s most memorable hotels reflect the same richness. Ottoman mansions, historic banks, former embassies and waterfront palaces have been transformed into remarkable places to stay, while a new generation of boutique hotels brings contemporary Turkish design into the mix. At DNA Hotels, we curate the properties where architecture, interiors, gastronomy and history become inseparable from the experience—hotels that capture the beautiful complexity of a city that has always belonged to more than one world.