Mr & Mrs Smith

We spent three nights here in April, and were upgraded to the top floor room 62. This room has fabulous views over central Istanbul and the Bhosporous (particularly lovely and twinkly at night) and look great from the balcony. We particularly liked the fact that they didn't just pile up the extra charges like so many British hotels do, and we got complimentary drinks and breakfast in bed for no extra charge. It's only a 10-minute walk to the main bar and restaurant area around Tunel, if you can face the hills. We also dined at Mikla restaurant like other reviewers and it is as good as a top-notch London restaurant but with better views. We bar-hopped our way along Sofjah street which is very short, so took us a while to find first time (it's very close to the Tunel exit). This road is crammed with bars and restaurants. During the days, we took advantage of the good weather to visit some of Istanbul's rooftop cafes: we thought Kallavi cafe on Istiklal and Leb-i Derya, a bar and restaurant, were particularly laidback and lovely. The only small downside is we got woken by the call to prayer at 5am every morning, but this would be the case anywhere in Istanbul and, when mixed with the sound of the horns of the ships on the river, it was all suitably foreign and exotic. I would highly recommend this for anyone wanting a centrally located hotel for sightseeing and evenings out. However, as parents of two young kids, I'm not sure I would bring them. The hills would be a killer with toddlers and babies and I'd be a little worried about hyper kids ruining the laidback ambience of the hotel, even though I'm sure the hotel would be friendly. As a place to get away from your children, as we did, it's perfect.

The Witt Istanbul Suites was a delight. The staff were charming and knowledgeable without being intrusive and nothing was too much trouble. I had contacted them previously about the special occasion – my husband's 60th, and requested special attention to his gluten-free diet. When they couldn't find the bread locally, they baked their own fresh and delicious offerings to go with their mouth-watering breakfasts. Please print this for all those coeliacs out there. You have no idea how rare this is with this allergy to find a place that does that. Top tip: eat dinner at the Marmara Pera hotel's Mikla restaurant (www.miklarestaurant.com). Our children booked us in for a special celebration dinner and goodness, was it special! Perched on the top of the hotel, with a spellbinding view of the town from the curving glass walls. Remember to book the window seats – we bitterly regretted not doing so, although we could still look out at the glittering lights and the velvet skyline of Istanbul from where we were sitting. In the summer, you can stand outside on a balcony sipping drinks and look out on the vertiginous views. Here the food reflects the Turkish Scandinavian roots of the chef, producing possibly the best food in Istanbul. The cosmopolitan crowd of fellow diners was well-heeled and stylish, but it was the food and the attentive service that were the stars of the evening. Food envy was rampant. My starter of shrimp on chilli and garlic spinach brought three succulent rounds of tender prawns, silken spinach and lemon confit, but this did not stop me from slyly spearing the raw grouper on my son's plate or the fig, prosciutto and gorgonzola starter on my husband's. The mains were superb. Roasted rose-scented chicken vied with perfectly cooked pistachio-encrusted lamb, and monkfish risotto. For once, no one complained about their meal of choice – but just wanted to try every one else's at the same time. Wines come at an eye-watering price everywhere in Istanbul. However, at the Mikla, go for the more reasonably priced local wines which were excellent. Even so, you could end up paying £50 a bottle. This place is an absolute must!

If a romantic dinner is what you are looking for, don't miss "Tugra" restaurant, inside Ciragan Palace.The food was awesome and the atmosphere great.We also tried "Hamdi" restaurant, but it was nothing special and the service really bad. If you would like to taste Ottoman traditional cuisine, you should try "Beyti" instead.

Tip: How to explain where the hotel is to taxi-drivers: Tell them Tophane (tram stop) and do a right hand hand gesture and say 'Taksim'. As you approach Witt Istanbul Suites, say 'Stop!'

Restaurants: Topaz, 5th Floor, Miss Pizza (7 Havyar Sokak)  – all excellent for different reasons.