OT: Which is your favourite hotel in the world?
Meiyang Chang: As a frequent traveller, I have stayed in all shapes, sizes and classes of hotels. So although I’ve been to some of the largest and grandest hotels in the world, a small family-run bed-and-breakfast joint called Med Cezir in Istanbul (from €45, www.medcezirhotel.net), where I spent five nights, is one of my favourites. This was my first stop on a trip with friends to Istanbul and Greece in 2012, and what an auspicious beginning it was.

OT: Tell us why!
Meiyang Chang: What make this joint special are the love and labour of the family running it. I’m not a stickler for big brands or for the additional facilities they provide, since [I feel] one should spend more time outside a hotel, exploring that town or city. For me, cleanliness, courtesy and good service are the catchwords. Med Cezir may not have the big bucks, but their warmth and good nature are unmatched by even the biggest hotels with their well-trained staff.

OT: A low-key place, then?
Meiyang Chang: It feels like home away from home while still providing the comforts of a hotel.

OT: Small hotels sometimes go slow on service…
Meiyang Chang: The service here is prompt and, even by lazy holiday standards, they don’t take their customers or their good mood for granted. The owner Tony is one of the most positive and fun-loving people I’ve come across.

OT: Was breakfast worth waking up for?
Meiyang Chang: Although I didn’t have any major meals here (considering the food street is literally across the corner), it has a cosy coffee shop with an attached library, which is always full of happy revellers. I’d have my delectable breakfast here and my favourite ‘dish’ was the strong and refreshing Turkish coffee. By request, you can also dine on their tiny terrace, which gives a great view of the Blue Mosque, especially when it’s lit up at night.