The St. Regis Istanbul

Character and identity

Set in Nisantasi, Istanbul's luxury shopping and fashion district, The St. Regis transplants the brand's New York art-deco heritage into a Turkish frame. The lobby reads more elegant than ostentatious: a library stocked with volumes on Ottoman history, art and design, walls hung with works from the Demsa Collection of Art and commissioned contemporary pieces that carry through into the guest rooms. Dining anchors include Spago, one of Wolfgang Puck's few European outposts, serving his California cuisine with Bosphorus views from the terrace, and the all-day St. Regis Brasserie. The 10,225-square-foot Iridium Spa runs two hammams and three pools. Butler service defines the register.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this hotel apart is the butler-led service culture paired with serious dining, not the location or any dramatic view from the building itself. Book it if you want shopping, restaurants and an art-deco urban cocoon over historic sightseeing; request a higher category with Bosphorus-facing aspect, reserve the airport car in advance, and don't skip a terrace table at Spago.