Istanbul city is divided by the Bosphorus into Europe and Asia. The Golden Horn divides the old and new city. Most of the sights are located within the old city - Sultanahmet district - and the new area of the city is Beyoglu, where the nightlife and shopping facalities are.

Most of the visitors prefer to stay in the old part of the city to be close to the sights, history and tourist activities. But in the evening it is much quieter compared to downtown.

In Turkey, hotels are catagorised from 1 up to 5 star. The old Ottoman Mansions, restored and converted into hotels, are catagorised as 'S' Class. Pensions, guest houses, hostels, aparthotels and holiday villages are other catagories.