The Bosphorus Strait has been Istanbul's center of attention for centuries. Expensive hotels here today are no exception. These aren't modest, down-to-earth accommodations. Instead, the emphasis is on glitz and elegance. For a real splurge, get a room with a Bosphorus view, looking across to another continent. Keep in mind that these hotels are outside the city center, but easily linked with Bosphorus ferries.

Bosphorus Palace is by the Bosphorus Bridge on the Asian side, close to Beylerbeyi Palace. This beautiful property, with neo-Ottoman architecture, has 14 luxurious rooms: five with full sea views, two with side views, five with garden views, and two standard (Sb/Db-€175-350, mention this book for a 10 percent discount, Yalıboyu Caddesi 64, Beylerbeyi, tel. 0216/422-0003, fax 0216/422-0012, www.bosphoruspalace.com, reservation @bosphoruspalace .com)

Sumahan on the Water, in the Çengelköy district on the Asian side, was once a liquor distillery but is now a classy small hotel. Within walking distance of the ferry station, and with easy connections to Istanbul's Old Town and the modern city center, the Sumahan has 18 rooms and offers a complimentary scheduled shuttle boat across the Bosphorus for hotel guests (Sb/Db-€170-375, prices vary with season, Kuleli Caddesi 51, Çengelköy, tel. 0216/422-8000, fax 0216/422-8008, www.sumahan.com, info @sumahan.com).