Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises,…
Beautifully positioned in front of the Bosphorus, this 19th century palace hotel is among the most striking and historic in the city. It is magical from the moment you enter the gated driveway surrounded by gardens and fountains to when you peer over the waterfront.
Turkey’s largest city has no shortage of beautiful hotels, but this Four Seasons is truly something special. There is a second Four Seasons near the Hagia Sophia, Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet, which is currently closed for a thorough renovation. While both are elegant, here are five top reasons to stay at the larger Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus.
The location
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The rooms
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Spacious work desks come with plentiful extras like Post-it notes, highlighters, a stapler and fresh flowers. Guests receive a welcome plate of fresh fruit, which gets replenished daily. Bedside power and USB ports are a sign of the times, and housekeeping does an exquisite job. They pay attention to the smallest details leaving behind fabric cloths to clean eyeglasses and folding clothes left out. Bottled water is available in the room each day. Evening turndown service refreshes the towels, toiletries and water.
Marble bathrooms give the option between bespoke Italian toiletries from Florence or the option to request Turkish-made goodies to the vanity. Large glass shower stalls have excellent rainfall shower pressure, and a separate soaking tub comes with bath salts and a pillow. In addition to enormous terrycloth towels and robes, Turkish towels provide another choice.
The cuisine
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The seafood restaurant Aqua serves fresh fish for dinner, both indoors and on the terrace. It is also the sight for a beautiful breakfast buffet that serves from numerous stations including an entire section dedicated to nearly a dozen types of olives. The fresh bakery selection is expansive, and there is even a Turkish honey and pastry area. Eggs can be cooked to order, but the hot buffet has numerous Turkish specialties worth sampling. The fresh fruit, regional cheeses and savory Turkish dips and appetizers are quite appealing.
Most special is the Turkish restaurant Ocakbaşı serving traditional kebabs, salads and mezze plates. It offers a mesmerizing window into regional cuisine, and guests can dine outdoors around fire pits or in one of the new heated waterfront igloos facing the Bosphorus.
The facilities
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This is a resort through and through, and even when Istanbul is cold, there is plenty to do. The outdoor ice skating rink is the first of a hotel in town (since copied by other hotels). An indoor pool and whirlpool are a lovely way to relax year-round. If jet lag has your back, there are plenty of complimentary spa facilities at your disposal here. The muscly among us can work out in the fitness center any hour of day with the services of a personal trainer during daylight hours.
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The social scene
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In the marble lobby, elegant flower arrangements are a favorite for photos. Throughout the hotel, modern art from local artists changes on a regular basis, and the work on display is truly museum-quality.
Service here is like other Four Seasons properties around the world: perfected to a tee. This is the perfect address to explore Istanbul as well as watch its pulsing action from its waterfront terrace.
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines, and loyalty programs from around the globe.