Istanbul, the cultural, economic, and historical hub of Turkey, has served as a political and cultural crossroads for many mighty empires. Istanbul’s rich history, stunning architecture, opulent hotels, and mouthwatering cuisine make it a top pick among our travel destinations. Hotels of the highest quality may now be found in meticulously restored Ottoman palaces and villas, some of which even feature spas and rooftop pool decks. Come along with us as we explore some of the best hotels in Istanbul, Turkey.
Raffles Istanbul
This cutting-edge hotel is the epitome of the innovative character of a classic metropolis. Raffles Istanbul is an upscale hotel in Istanbul’s Zorlu Center. It features 136 rooms and 49 suites, all with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Bosphorus, the Princes’ Islands, and Istanbul’s Old Town. The modern conveniences you’d expect from a luxury hotel, like walk-in closets and a personal butler, are presented alongside authentic Turkish design elements in this establishment. In addition, there is wonderful art on display in the common areas. Raffles’ many restaurants, bars, and lounges expertly combine pan-Asian, Turkish, and Mediterranean flavours, perfectly representing Istanbul’s position as a melting pot of east and west.
Six Senses Kocatas Mansions
The Istanbul outpost of Six Senses is located in two restored Ottoman palaces in the affluent and lush Sariyer neighbourhood, reachable via private water taxi from the city centre. Whether you’re looking at the hotel’s interior or outside, you’ll find that it’s smooth as lor cheese and full of refined sophistication. Large windows let in lots of natural light, showcasing the pale marble, elegantly panelled walls, and exquisite cornicing. The nicest of the 45 rooms and suites also include king- or queen-sized brass beds with views of the Bosphorus. Spa guests may take in breathtaking views of the strait from the expansive facility built on a hill above the hotel late last year. Combining Eastern and Western beliefs, the therapies provided include the cultural Hammam, a thorough cleaning by a local therapist. The hotel organizes an Alchemy Bar workshop where guests can make their own cosmetic products using organic ingredients from the garden). Additionally, the hotel’s Earth Lab hosts informative eco-workshops for guests, while the ingredients utilized in the two restaurants (pan-Asian and Italian) reflect Istanbul’s distinctive east-west offerings through vibrantly coloured meals and artistic presentation.
Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah
Like The Savoy in London, Pera Palace is an iconic landmark in Istanbul.
The Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah is the place to stay for those who want to see Istanbul as it was in bygone years. The city’s most famous hotel dates back to 1892 and features a design by local architect Alexander Vallaury as well as ultra-glamorous vintage decor. These features undoubtedly attracted famous visitors like Ernest Hemingway, Greta Garbo, and Alfred Hitchcock. Guests staying in Pera, which is in the Beyoglu neighbourhood, will find that the Bosphorus, Galata Tower, and Istiklal shopping boulevard are all easily accessible on foot. Every room has luxurious linens and antique furniture, but the black and burgundy Agatha Christie room on the fourth floor, where the mystery writer supposedly wrote Murder on the Orient Express, will be especially appealing to bookworms.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel
At the authentic Ottoman imperial palace on the Bosphorus’s European side, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel, you may rest like the sultans of medieval Turkey. The luxurious hotel, which is tucked between the Ortakoy and Besiktas neighbourhoods, is home to some of the city’s most elite social circles. Its four restaurants provide an east meets west dishes that are heavily influenced by traditional Ottoman and Turkish cuisine. The rooms are sophisticated, with traditional design, private balconies, and views of the strait, but it’s the Sanitas Spa that will take your breath away. Schedule some time in the original Turkish hammam, relax with an Ayurvedic massage, or swim in the infinity pool while it’s heated to your liking.
Ecole St Pierre Hotel
The Ecole St. Pierre Hotel, a boutique property with 17 rooms that debuted in September 2021 near the Galata Tower, is a beautiful melting pot of cultures. Formerly a French Catholic school, it was operated by Dominican monks and was a magnet for students from all over Europe. It was built by Italian architect Gaspare Fossati, who also rebuilt the Hagia Sofia in the middle of the 19th century. Part of the restaurant is built from Genoese fortifications of Constantinople from the 13th century, and the former monks’ dorm is now a café/lounge with a garden cocktail bar. French windows with louvers open onto balconies made of wrought iron that circle a central courtyard on galleried stories. With careful attention to detail, the building’s original structure has been restored and is now serving as a backdrop for cutting-edge design. Colonial cane, dark blue Venetian tiles in the bathrooms, light wood, exposed brick, and striking modern lighting make the interior just as attractive as the exterior.
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Sumahan on the Water
While there are several 5-star hotels in Instanbul, the Sumahan offers a new spin on the palace hotel concept. Architecturally, it is a bold update on a waterfront building from the 1820s that processed tons of figs into suma, the base spirit for raki. Nedret Butler and her architect husband Mark, along with their designer children, transformed the home, which had been in the family for centuries, into a chic hotel at the turn of the century. This backstory contributes to the atmosphere of warmth and intimacy typical of a private residence. The hotel’s thirteen airy, spacious rooms and suites, some with private hammams, are decorated in a Spartan fashion and are named after neighbourhoods in the area. All rooms overlook the Bosphorus, where dolphins can sometimes be glimpsed in the spring and summer, and in the winter, genuine fires are made in each room. Relax and become one with nature in any of the many Adirondack chairs in the riverbank garden, surrounded by palms, fruit trees, and pink oleander.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
The neoclassical front of what is now one of Istanbul’s most luxurious hotels was originally built as a prison, where many well-known artists and political personalities were held until the 1960s. Before its 1996 reopening as a five-star hotel, the structure had fallen into ruin. The unique hand-painted tiles, arched passageways, and marble pillars from the jailhouse era have been integrated into the contemporary design of the Sultanahmet headquarters. It’s the perfect location for first-time visitors and those who wish to be in the Old City because it’s only a five-minute walk from the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a glass of wine from the region while gazing at the illuminated minarets of the city’s most famous mosques from the hotel’s A’YA Rooftop Lounge.
W Istanbul
The hotel’s prime location in the heart of Istanbul makes it a convenient base from which to explore the city. About 15 minutes from the hotel, you’ll find the Nisantasi retail mall. The environment around this structure has been completely transformed because of its construction and design. Nevertheless, traditional Islamic design elements have been preserved for posterity. There are a lot of convenient services available at the hotel. The hotel features a chic restaurant and bar where guests may enjoy cocktails made with local ingredients. Kick back in your room’s Turkish hammam and steam bath while you relax with a glass of champagne. The apartment has spectacular skylights that let in natural light and provide a glimpse of the night sky. Relax in the living room, which features a state-of-the-art entertainment system and a private terrace with a panoramic view of the Bosphorus.
Soho House Istanbul
Whether it’s exclusive members-only clubs, rooftop pool decks, stylish hotels, or highly sought-after restaurants, the Soho House brand has made a reputation for itself in major metropolitan areas like London, New York City, and Berlin. The posh Istanbul outpost followed suit in 2014, relocating to a 19th-century palace that had previously housed the American embassy and consulate. The lobby features a central Carrara marble staircase and elaborately frescoed walls, both typical elements of Venetian architecture. Although rooms range in size from modest to grandiose, all have an eclectic blend of eastern and western influences, including velvet upholstered furniture, parquet flooring, and Turkish kilim carpets and ikat pillows. You can eat at Cecconi’s or visit The Allis, which provides guests with a selection of light breakfast and lunch options, in addition to coffee, fresh juice, and handcrafted drinks.
Splendid Palace Hotel
Formerly a place of exile for unpopular royals like Leon Trotsky, the Princes’ Islands became a paradise by the 20th century. The rich of Istanbul would escape the city’s oppressive heat and spend their summers in the cool of the archipelago’s Ottoman palaces and Belle Epoque residences. The Splendid Palas Hotel, located in the heart of car-free Büyükada, is among the city’s most opulent accommodations. It seems like something out of a movie, with its Western art nouveau base and Eastern ornamentation in the colours of the Turkish flag culminating in a pair of onion domes built in 1908. The ceilings have a piped-icing frippery, the lobby desk is made of wood, and the pineapple lamp dates back to the 1920s, all with their original finishes and details intact. A tiled courtyard with a fountain and grand piano, potted palms, and cane furniture is surrounded by the hotel’s three galleried storeys, while red and white striped sun loungers flank the pool terrace.
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