Tour Guide, Istanbul, Turkey
| 10 mins read
1. Four Season Sultanahmet hotel
First-time visitors to Turkey's most populated city will be hard-pressed to find a hotel with a better address than the Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet. That's because Istanbul's biggest attractions, including the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, are a stone's throw from the property. Though the hotel's address was a major standout for recent guests, the property's attentive staff and amenities also impressed. Multilingual concierges are at your beck and call 24 hours a day, and babysitting services can be arranged with as little as three hours' notice (sometimes even less). Standard rooms here are spacious (between 592 to 645 square feet) and feature traditional Turkish decor, including handwoven Turkish kilims, alongside modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, espresso machines and bathrooms with televisions and deep soaking tubs. There are plenty of dining options nearby, but guests say a drink on the A'YA Rooftop Lounge, which overlooks both the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, simply cannot be skipped. If you're in need of some additional downtime, the hotel offers spa services to help you recharge. There is no pool on-site, but guests have complimentary access to the pool at the property's sister hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus.
2.Raffles Istanbul
Recent travelers are confident in their proclamations that the Raffles Istanbul is one of the best hotels they have ever stayed in. Guests say this Istanbul property hits great hospitality right on the nose and lives up to its five-star rating in more ways than one. According to lodgers, the staff is one of the hotel's most remarkable attributes, as they consistently go above and beyond to make guests’ stay nothing short of spectacular. And speaking of spectacular, the hotel's location isn't too bad either. The Raffles Istanbul can be found close to the Bosphorus, boasting views throughout the high-rise property. Plus, access to amenities off-site is easy, considering the Zorlu shopping, dining and entertainment megaplex is connected to the hotel.
3.Tomtom Suites
This boutique hotel in Istanbul is all about attention to detail. That's because Tomtom Suites only has 20 rooms, leaving plenty of extra room for personalized service. And guests were able to pick up on this strategy right away. Lodgers loved the staff's eagerness to provide recommendations and appreciated that any and all inquiries were met with a smile. The large rooms were also a standout, with standard suites starting at 474 square feet. Pillow menus, LCD TVs with DVD players, Nespresso coffee machines, loaner iPads, homemade chocolates and minibars are just a few of the in-room amenities you can expect to take advantage of during your stay. The hotel also has 24-hour concierge, in-room spa and express checkout services, as well as a complimentary breakfast buffet. In their downtime, guests can brush up on their knowledge of the city and Turkey itself at the on-site library, or grab a bite to eat at Nicole, which serves Mediterranean dishes both indoors and outside on a terrace overlooking the old town. Outside, guests can wander the historical area of Galata and Pera or take the metro, located just a couple blocks away, to nearby top attractions such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. What's more, this property is one of the more affordable options on the Best Hotels in Europe ranking.
4. Sirkeci Mansion
If you want to learn about Turkish history and culture while staying in Istanbul, then consider staying at Sirkeci Mansion. Just steps from the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, this family-owned property prides itself on offering immersive experiences like free Turkish cooking classes and weekly guided walks through the city. Additionally, you'll have access to complimentary meze (Turkish appetizers) in the hotel's living room, Turkish baths and Neyzade Restaurant, which serves gourmet regional cuisine. A fitness center, a heated swimming pool and a sauna are also available on-site. When it's time to rest, retreat to one of the property's 32 guest rooms, which feature hardwood floors, floral fabric accents and at least 194 square feet of space. Standard amenities include coffee and tea makers, minibars and free Wi-Fi access. Previous guests praised Sirkeci Mansion's spacious and well-equipped rooms, but many were even more impressed with the hotel's outstanding staff and central location.
5. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
This Four Seasons outpost is quintessentially Turkish. For starters, the hotel is housed in a former 19th-century Ottoman Palace, so you don't need to travel very far to get a dose of the city's history. Second, the property is situated right along the Bosphorus waterway, which separates Europe from Asia. What's more, this Four Seasons offers guests the opportunity to chat with a regarded Turkish historian over coffee or tea in his home directly across the river. On-site, lodgers can take advantage of the fitness center and its personal trainers, 24-hour business services, a spa (which features Turkish baths), waterfront restaurants and two pools (one indoors and one outdoors). There are also plenty of amenities for traveling families, including cribs, high chairs and bedtime milk and cookies. Guests appreciated how amenity-driven the hotel was, as well as the large size of the rooms (standard rooms measure 484 square feet), which feature minibars, TVs with DVD players, hypoallergenic pillows and video game consoles upon request. But, as is the case with so many Four Seasons properties, what lodgers lauded the most was the impeccable customer service.
6. FER Hotel
Fer is a new luxury boutique located in the heart of the Old City of Istanbul and winner of the award Turkey's Best Luxury Hotel 2018 by International Travel Awards. Fer means radiant brightness in local language and the concept of the hotel is constructed on the idea of the relation among light, water and mosaics of traditional Turkish architecture. Founded in March 2016 in a historical building reconstructed into modern and elegant property, Fer has 56 rooms and suites tastefully designed to a very high standard. It is a perfect choice for leisure and business travelers being in easy reach of metro, tram and ferries and with main historical attractions like Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and many other at your door. Guests of Fer hotel can enjoy a wide variety of open buffet breakfast at Roof Fer restaurant with both traditional and international cuisine. Safe and smart covered car parking area is available for hotel guests only.
7. Pera Palace Hotel
Designed by Levantine architect Alexandre Vallaury, Istanbul's Pera Palace Hotel has welcomed iconic figures like Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock since opening in 1892. The historic property features 115 traditional accommodations – some named after famous former guests like Ernest Hemingway and Greta Garbo– with antique furniture and Carrara marble bathrooms, plus amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi, HD televisions and minibars. Despite being described as "beautiful" by many past visitors, some cited noise as an issue and suggested booking a room away from the main street. Outside your digs, you'll find a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, several lounges, a pastry shop and a restaurant inspired by Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express". But previous guests said one of the property's more unique facilities is its Atatürk Museum Room. Regularly reserved by 20th-century Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, this former hotel room now acts as a museum dedicated to the late politician. Everything from Atatürk's clothes to medals from the 20th century is on display here. If you enjoy history, also ask to use the hotel's original electric elevator, which was the first installed in Turkey. After, walk to nearby attractions like Taksim Square and Galata Tower.
8. Levni Hotel & Spa
Former guests raved about Levni Hotel & Spa's attentive staff and clean, comfortable accommodations. All of the hotel's 75 guest rooms are individually appointed and have accent walls or tufted headboards, and patterned carpets or hardwood floors. Standard rooms boast work desks, minibars, flat-screen TVs and walk-in showers or bathtubs. And in the hotel's largest accommodation, the Bosphorus Suit Room, you'll find a Jacuzzi, a dressing room and a balcony with city and sea views. No matter which accommodation you choose, you'll have access to multiple meeting rooms, a business center, an indoor swimming pool, a hammam and a gym. Past travelers also recommended eating breakfast at the on-site restaurant, which they said offers a good selection of hot and cold items on its buffet, including gluten-free and vegetarian options. When you're ready to explore Istanbul, walk to nearby top attractions like the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. While most recent guests reported a satisfactory stay, some said they encountered minor issues like inadequate soundproofing and malfunctioning air-conditioning units.
9. Hotel Sultania
According to previous visitors, Hotel Sultania lives up to its promise of making each guest "feel like a sultan." Travelers loved this Istanbul property's helpful staff, as well as the complimentary tea and Turkish Delight candies provided at check-in. For more substantial meals, the hotel offers four options: the casual Sultania Restaurant, Olive Anatolian Restaurant (a Mediterranean-inspired fine dining establishment), a breakfast buffet and 24-hour room service. All of the cuisines served on-site received rave reviews from past diners. After satiating your appetite, enjoy a massage at the spa, break a sweat in the fitness center, take a dip in one of two pools or unwind in the hammam or sauna. Then, retreat to your clean and well-appointed room, which offers Ottoman-inspired decor, a satellite TV, free Wi-Fi access and a minibar. Some upgraded spaces also have attached outdoor spaces or private hammams. If you're traveling with kids, you'll have access to additional perks, such as baby cots and child-sized bathrobes, plus discounted admissions at family-friendly attractions like Vialand theme park and Istanbul Aquarium if you book directly through the hotel's website. Other sites, including the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Hagia Sophia Museum, can be found within walking distance of the hotel.
10. Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
If you want to be treated like royalty while enjoying picturesque views of the Bosphorus, consider staying at Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul. This former Ottoman Empire palace participates in The Leading Hotels of the World's Leaders Club loyalty program and can be found between Istanbul's Besiktas and Ortakoy neighborhoods. The hotel boasts 313 accommodations with traditional Turkish decor, flat-screen TVs, minibars and balconies. Standard rooms and select suites overlook Yildiz Park, while other accommodations feature sea vistas. For even more luxury and space, reserve one of the hotel's Exclusive Palace Suites, which have up to three bedrooms and include perks like butler service and kitchenettes. Or, pamper yourself at the on-site spa. In addition to various treatments, the facility houses a hammam, a fitness center, a sauna and an outdoor infinity pool (one of the world's most beautiful). The hotel also has a 24-hour business center, multiple boutiques, three restaurants and Le Fumoir, where cocktails and hookah service are offered daily. Previous guests raved about this property's "breathtaking" design, "delicious" breakfasts and "very courteous" staff, saying that their stays were "simply amazing" and well worth the expensive room rates. Plus, several top attractions – including Taksim Square and Dolmabahçe Palace – sit less than 3 miles away.
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