February 20, 2007

Europe | Turkey | Istanbul

Talking New Turkey

By Mark Jolly

Modern meets Ottoman courtesy of Accor.

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With no shortage of hotels opening in Istanbul, the Novotel Istanbul Marmara, debuting March 12, is the next entrant into the fabled metropolis of cultural collision cross-pollination. Catering to both tourists and hip business travelers, the contemporary Marmara is within old-man-spitting-distance of Sultanahmet, the center of the historic quarter, and home to must-see landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Still, fans of contemporary architecture won’t have far to go either. Regardless of your taste, expect ample opportunity to bag the perfect rug: Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar features over 4000 stalls.