Why are we special? Our comments... here.

Istanbul is a city with many histories, old and modern. For instance, when we built the Side Hotel just a few years ago we found we were digging through the Byzantine Palace of old Constantinople. The workmen dug out the vase (right), now the property of the Turkish Government.

The Four Seasons Hotel, our neighbour, was once the "most beautiful prison in the world" and was the original of 'Midnight Express' infamy. Now a five-star hotel, you can pay from $270 to stay in what was a prison cell. (Or you can pay a lot less to stay at The Side -- and in similar comfort.)

And our apartments: Designed to be comfortable for two to six people, these spacious, fully equipped suites have their own kitchens and bathrooms, street doors, tv & phone, a queen-sized double bed, two sofa beds and two armchairs. A base for a business visit? A home away from home?

The amphora found on our site