Ajwa Sultanahmet

Those who are looking for a fantasy of “1001 Nights” in Istanbul should not look further. Each centimetre-square of this 61-room hotel is decorated with exquisite marble work, silk Tabriz carpets, and specially commissioned tiles and mother-of-pearl furniture, while all the aspects of the service adhere to the halal standards. The character of the hotel is more Middle Eastern than Turkish, while the scenic rooftop Zeferan Restaurant serves predominantly Azerbaijani food.    

TIME OUT TIP: A short walk away from the hotel, Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi, a 300-year-old former madrasa, charms nargile (waterpipe) enthusiasts with its misty atmosphere. Here, one can enjoy the fruity aromas of tobacco, and chill in a manner called “a la Turca”.