From luxe hotels and glam nightlife to magnificent mosques and opulent palaces, Virginia Rowe falls under the exotic spell of Istanbul…

…Nestled in my own private poolside cabana, a handsome member of staff even offered to give my sunglasses a polish. Now, there’s nothing quite like a clean lens to enhance the fine art of people-watching….

…Ushered in by the friendly porter past neat black window canopies, I had arrived at Witt Suites. It’s no surprise that this modern-retro haven is a hot favourite with visiting fashionistas and artists. With interiors created by Istanbul design darlings Autoban, every one of the super-smooth suites comes complete with a well-stocked marble kitchenette, slick techno-gadgetry and a bevy of their distinct and much-lauded furnishings, not to mention enough space to swing more than a few cool cats…