DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Old Town

A modern building, the DoubleTree is more architecturally impressive on the inside. The open lobby is made up of geometric lines, with abundant natural light illuminating with metal, glass, and concrete structural elements throughout the hotel's common areas and rooms. The hotel is built around a central oval that sweeps all the way to the glass roof, making the space feel dramatic and cathedral-like. An installation of pendant lights that look like winged birds hang at different heights from the roof. The same foundation of design -- including generous open spaces and clean lines -- continues beyond the lobby and into both the Lobby Bar and Lounge and the Old Town Restaurant. During the morning, the breakfast scene here can be frantic as business people rush out the door, but, in the evenings, a more leisurely atmosphere settles in as guests and locals arrive for cocktails and glasses of wine.

The DoubleTree is located in the Old Town, on the edge of the historic neighborhood of Sultanahmet. The hotel itself is set back on a tree-lined, pedestrianized street of modern buildings, surrounded by designer shops, and the area is bustling at all hours. A tram stops just outside the from door that takes you to the heart of Sultanahmet, where the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern can all be found. The Grand Bazaar is 10-minutes away by foot, and is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world

Rooms and suites are simple and clean-lined in design, with all the requisite high-end amenities typical of the brand, although some might feel that they lack color or strong design elements. Wall-to-wall carpets are clean and soft, in a modern shade of slate gray, and red chairs, natural wood, and gray accents round out a soothing color scheme. The gray marble bathrooms in the standard rooms are on the small side. Rooms have pillow menus and Select Comfort mattresses. Suites have shower/tub combos (lower-tier rooms only have showers) and good water pressure. All rooms are air-conditioned and have flat-screen TVs, ample closet space, coffeemakers, and alcoholic mini-bars.

With a comprehensive range of equipment, the fitness center looks like a professional gym. The two on-site restaurants are chic and popular with guests and locals alike; the rooftop one has panoramic city views. The bar serves innovative fare, wine, and cocktails, and has live music and dancing. There's also a cafe restaurant and a lobby bar. The hotel's standout feature, though, is its spa, which -- in addition to a range of treatments, a sauna, steam room, and hammam -- has a sunken whirlpool on a sleek, contemporary wooden platform. Wi-Fi is only free for Hhonors members. Guests can check their e-mail on one of the public computers in the business center. The hotel is kid-friendly, with babysitting services at hand and plenty of cribs and high-chairs. The Doubletree's signature chocolate chip cookies are offered to guests at check-in.