"Bosphorus view" is the most abused phrase in Istanbul hotel listings. Some rooms open onto the strait; others offer a sliver of water between two buildings if you lean out. Here's how to tell the difference before you pay, and the neighbourhoods where the view is real.

Istanbul has dozens of distinct neighborhoods and choosing the wrong one can make or break your trip. Here's an honest local guide to the five best areas, from the historic Sultanahmet to the buzzing Asian-side Kadıköy.