Location. The Polat Renaissance Istanbul Hotel is a striking blue glass tower set amid landscaped gardens and located in the suburb of Yesilyurt, overlooking the Sea of Marmara, 18 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Ataturk International Airport is four kilometres away, with an approximate driving time of five minutes. Hotel Features. This modern beachfront hotel offers both indoor and outdoor pools, complete with a complimentary poolside towel service. A separate splash pool is provided for younger guests. The hotel also houses a health club featuring cardiovascular equipment and free weights, and a sauna and Turkish hammam provide post-workout relaxation. Other amenities include a games room, beauty services and public high-speed Internet access (surcharge). Multilingual staff at the 24-hour front desk are on hand to provide around-the-clock room service, exchange currency and look after valuables in the safe-deposit box. Those arriving by car will find complimentary parking facilities on site.

Polat Renaissance Istanbul Hotel offers five different restaurants ranging from Mediterranean dishes, Turkish specialties and seafood to traditional Chinese and German fare. The hotel also houses an American-style sports bar and restaurant.

The hotel's sports facilities include tennis and squash courts, and opportunities for sailing and diving are available at the nearby beach.

Guestrooms. The Polat Renaissance Istanbul Hotel offers 404 guestrooms located on 27 floors, all of which feature modern decor in warm shades and include cable television, VCRs, direct-dial phones, high-speed Internet connections, minibars and bathrooms with telephones and complimentary toiletries.

Expert Tip. The Grand Bazaar is situated in the heart of Istanbul and its 60 lanes house more than 3,000 stalls where souvenir- hunters can bargain for carpets, jewellery, silverware, ceramics and leather goods.

Room Types:

Deluxe room:   One queen bed or two twin beds. Modern decor in warm shades. Air conditioning, cable television with pay movies, VCR, high-speed Internet connection, direct-dial phone, clock radio and minibar. Bathroom with telephone, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries.

Driving Directions: Getting there. The best way to get from the airport to the hotel is using the complimentary shuttle service (contact the hotel in advance to make a reservation). A taxi should cost approximately 4 EUR. A commuter train service runs from the centre of Istanbul to Yesilyurt train station, one kilometre away. Taxis are a good way of getting to the city centre. The historic centre is best explored on foot.