Our hotel has a fabulous roof top bar with views of the blue mosque and Bosphorous - a great place to chill out and wind down.

When in Istanbul you must try out a Turkish bath or Hamam.  2 minutes from the hotel is the oldest hamam in Istanbul.  A fabulous place.  You sit and relax in a domed marble room. 

Voices are muffled by the acoustics in the place, steam gently rising.  You take your turn to have a rub down on the marble slab.  Some large Turkish lady with pendulous breasts who looks fairly intimidating does the honours.  Feeling clean and tingling all over, I can never wait to go back!

There are various 5 star hotels where you can book in for a day to use the pool if you want to chill and sunbathe for a time.  Or go to a riverside cafe and watch the water whilst enjoying a drink.