You may already have read about Nişantaşı if you enjoy the novels of Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk. It was in this district northeast of Taksim Square and Harbiye that the author lived and learned to write ().
This upscale residential and commercial district is named for a Nişan Taşı (Monumental Stone, in this case an obelisk) at the intersection of Valikonağı Caddesi and Abdi İpekçi Caddesi.
Today Nişantaşı and neighboring Teşvikiye are tony, upscale residential, shopping and office districts with numerous chic hotels and short-term apartment complexes.
The advantages of staying here? Status, shopping, chic cafés and pastry shops, great little restaurants, close to the Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Hilton Conference Center and the Military Museum, and 1.7 km (1 mile) north of Taksim Square and İstiklal Caddesi.
Disadvantages? Lodgings are pricey (though luxurious), and you're a distance—through Istanbul's fierce traffic—from the major sights around Sultanahmet Square.
The Sofa Residences: luxury, style and convenience.
The Sofa Residences
Luxury, style and convenience: designed by a prominent Istanbul architect, exclusively suites, equipped with all the comforts (including a gym, sauna and jacuzzi, and near to two major meeting venues. Sophisticated short-term rental apartments in one of Istanbul's most upscale neighborhoods. More...
Gallery Residence
Complimentary breakfast is included, and fine restaurants are near, but you still have your own kitchen for comfy dine-in evenings. The street in front is busy during the day, quieter at night. More...
Mega Residence
Close to the Lütfi Kırdar Centre and Maçka Park, with fine views over the city and—how can you go wrong?—a restaurant name Chocolate. More...
Bentley Hotel
Located on Halaskargazi Caddesi, the northern extension of Cumhuriyet Caddesi, this upscale hotel is right around the corner from Nişantaşı, and close to the Osmanbey Metro station for easy transport to Taksim Square, Tünel Square and the cafés, tavernas, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and shops of Istiklal Caddesi and Beyoğlu. More...
Five Boutique Hotel
This cute little place on a quiet side street only a half-block from busy Cumhuriyet Caddesi and Harbiye is within a three-minute walk of the Military Museum, and 10 minutes or less to the Lütfi Kırdar Centre, the Hilton Conference Center, and trendy Nişantaşı. But at the Five, you'll feel as though you're in a bit of 19th-century Constantinople. More...
To get to your hotel, it's easy to reserve a value-priced private airport transfer to the hotel in a Mercedes-Benz or equivalent vehicle that costs only slightly more than a taxi, and significantly less than two taxis (which you'll need if you have four or people and/or lots of luggage), and far more pleasant, comfortable and trustworthy. More...
—by Tom Brosnahan
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