Raffles Istanbul

With plenty of art and generous, bright use of space, Raffles is a symbol of modern, confident Istanbul - as well as a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. The luxury hotel is part of the award-winning Zorlu Centre, which includes an upscale shopping mall. So its size of more than 32,000 square feet means the Raffles Spa fits perfectly into the sprawling, chic surroundings. The nine treatment rooms offer everything from body wraps to Ayurvedic massages, plus there are several Vichy showers, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and four hammams. There's nothing quite like lying down on the heated marble platform and enjoying a foamy body scrub during the Aegean Purity treatment. The Signature Massage, in turn, consists of three massage oils, including the invigorating Ottoman Oil. For couples, the Couples Romance treatment awaits in a private suite with a jacuzzi. A highlight is the indoor pool, flooded with daylight, with its artistic glass decorations reminiscent of swimming jellyfish. At sunset, they glisten and create an elegant light spectacle. The outdoor pool, in turn, seems to float above the Bosphorus.