Hotels In Istanbul For A Luxurious Stay

Istanbul, historically known as Constantinople is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities, where you can constantly find a mingling of the east and the western worlds. It is not surprising that the city lies both in Europe and Asia and you can find a blend of the two continents in the city’s beautiful architecture, especially its most famous wonder, Hagia Sophia. Historically the city was known to be one of the most important cities in the world in terms of culture, trade, and economics due to its strategic position. The city hosts an average of 12 million tourists per year, making it the world’s fifth most popular tourist destination.

Istanbul is a global city and a must one to add to your travel bucket list. Being such a popular destination, the city provides an excellent range of world-class and affordable hotels, which will make your experience much more authentic. In this list, you will find a range of the best hotels for every budget.

Let’s look at our top picks of the best hotels in Istanbul.

1. Four Seasons Hotel At The Sultanahmet

This hotel is a must include as a top luxury hotel with an interior to die for. And its history is as rich as the people who come to stay here. This boutique hotel is a former prison from the late-ottoman empire, but we promise the rooms to look far from a prison. The beautiful accommodation hosts a luxury of rooms and amenities and commands a view of the Sea of Marmara and the lush gardens. This hotel, with many of the architectural remains from the Ottoman period, is situated in the old city, just minutes from the cities top tourist places making this hotel an attractive option.

The rooftop of the hotel offers a fantastic view of the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, and the blue mosque. The room gives an excellent command of luxuries including soaking tubs, free chocolates, iPod docks, Nespresso machines, and

L’Occitane products, all the while maintaining its neoclassical style. Other ranges of amenities include a spa for various health and beauty treatments, amazing restaurants that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an overall remarkable experience adhering to international standards.

2. Four Seasons Hotel At The Bosphorus

Another of the Four Seasons Hotel at the Bosphorus location isn’t any less than the Sultanahmet one. Located between the Bosphorus Strait and the main road that links Europe and Asia, this hotel is restored from a nineteenth-century Ottoman Palace. The resort-style pool is one of the finest there is, with its shiniest blue water, sunbeds, and an attached Jacuzzi. Did we mention that there is also an indoor swimming pool with underwater music?

This hotel is perfectly described by its very own website saying how it combines Istanbul’s ancient architecture, Turkish hospitality, and contemporary accommodation. We couldn’t describe it any better than that. The area, however a little remote, is about two kilometers from Kabatas and you can take a taxi ride to a tram that takes you to the major sights in the old city of Istanbul. You can also go to Taksim Square as well as the Prince Islands on a ferry.

When it comes to the rooms and staff, they are as amazing as you would expect. Some of the rooms have their private rooftop terrace which offers complete privacy. Most of the rooms overlook amazing views of the garden. You also have a variety of rooms and suites to choose from according to your needs and leisure. As we mentioned, the service is quite efficient including the 24-hour concierge service. Although the stay at one of the sisters’ hotels is expensive, it is definitely worth your money.

3. Georges Hotel- Galata

With a view of Bosphorus in the heart of the city, Georges Hotel provides quite a contrast with its minimalistic and sophisticated look amongst the ancient architecture the city has to offer. The area ‘Galata’ is known for its most famous alley which encompasses a huge range of cafe restaurants and the latest design stores. You can easily find trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and galleries lined across the Gayata and Beyoglu district, which makes Georges Hotel an ideal one to enjoy the city at its core.

According to its website, the hotel was built in 1882 as a beautiful apartment building in the heart of the European district of Istanbul. This blend of ancient and modern architecture offers eight different types of rooms and suites, adding to a total of twenty rooms. With walk-in rain showers and the most comfortable goose duvets, the rooms offer nothing but luxury. Some of the other facilities include a Yoga instructor for an in-room session, a conference room in case you have a business meeting, massage sessions, babysitting services, and shoe shine services. With an amazing location at the heart of Istanbul and amazing service with a hint of Parisian design, Georges Hotel is definitely a hotel you should consider.

4. Sumahan- On The Water

Sumahan on the Water is on the higher budget side of this list, but with its uniqueness and the facilities and accommodation it offers, it is a viable option. The hotel, a bit far from the hustle and bustle of the city, is located in Çengelköy Village where Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and other minority groups used to reside. While the location is not ideal for someone who wants to experience a central location with alleys lining bars and cafes down the street, it provides a calm and scenic escapade on the European side of the Bosphorus.

This romantic getaway with a waterfront location offers just 13 rooms with a range from standard to deluxe suites that have floor-to-ceiling windows and Turkish baths remodeled like Hammams. Almost all rooms have their own fireplaces, soft furnishings, and to-die-for textile range adding a sort of grandeur to the rooms. Sumahan on the water was a former Distillery that produced Raki, a traditional Turkish drink, which explains its wood, steel, and marble exterior. Breakfast includes both Turkish and international cuisines and the waterfront restaurant has an assortment of international delicacies along with some of the most amazing home-produced wines. If you’re looking for a sense of character with a hint of calmness, Sumahan on the water is your go-to hotel.

5. Shangri-la

Residing in the most premier location of Istanbul, Beşiktaş can be a new addition to your trip since the district includes the beautiful Maritime Museum and the Palace Collections Museum. The location is quite close to the Ferry terminals and the Prince Islands, and private taxis take around 20 minutes to reach the old city. Let’s not forget to add the view of Bosphorus Strait and the three continent-linking suspension bridges from the indoors of this luxury hotel. To make up for its bland exterior, the indoors offer beautiful intricate marble staircases, dangling chandeliers, and the gilt and lacquer work running in the capacious lobby.

The whiff of fragrance you inhale while entering the boutique hotel will not in the slightest indicate that the building used to be an abandoned tobacco warehouse that dates the back to late 1920s. The 182 rooms that encompass the hotel are soothing yet lavish with soft colors decorating the ambiance. The suite rooms have their own private terrace and the pricey ones offer a 180-degree waterfront view. On the bedside table of every room, you will find James Hilton’s ‘Lost Horizon’ novel, which gave the inspiration for the hotel’s name. The ground floor restaurant serves a range of Turkish and international dishes and the lower lobby floor restaurant is the hotel’s signature restaurant which serves authentic Chinese delicacies. The hotel is very family-friendly and provides good access for people with disabilities.

6. Witt Istanbul Hotel

A fairly new hotel established in 2008, the hotel is a modern architecture haven that prioritizes your comfort and intimacy with style. You would think the building with such grandeur must have a rich history but surprising it is to say that the hotel was a just regular apartment building before it turned into one of the finest hotels in Istanbul. Neither the hotel is too isolated to have you miss out on the eccentric charm of the city nor is it too in the middle of the chaos that you crave for a sense of calmness.

The Hotel’s location is Cihangir, which used to be a suburban district, has now a subtle range of cafes and restaurants, and with some back-street bakeries and kebab joints, it adds a slight charm to the old town style district. The hotel comprises just 18 rooms and each has a bar and kitchen area with wooden laminated floors, the en suite bathrooms have marble flooring and multi-headed showers. Something that we loved was the cozy lobby-cum-breakfast area, and a small library with a thoughtful range of books. The staff is very friendly, efficient, and speaks fluent English to help you navigate the bustling city. The breakfast buffet is excellent with a wide range of cheese and egg dishes to order. The hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant, a wise choice since there are so many options available nearby. This mid-range hotel offers a nice experience to anyone who decides to stay here.

7. Bankerhan Hotel

If you’re on a budget and want to experience the city at the core of it, Bankerhan hotel is the right option for you. Just a few steps away from the Schneider Temple Art Center as well as the Art Nouveau Kamondo Steps, which was photographed by Henri Cartier Bresson in the 1960s. The location is perfect for trips to the old city and just minutes away from the Atatürk airport and the Galata Tower. Home to a 19th-century building, the hotel is like an entry to the contemporary world with its exposed bricks and Turkish arts adorning the building.

The manager is friendly and the 36-room hotel has a beautiful breakfast-cum-bar area with great staff, free wifi, and laundry service. Premium suites have a sea view and there are some Japanese-style rooms with lower beds as well. The room is standard with double beds, a safe box, LCD Television, and Air Conditioners. The executive room overlooks the old city, the suspension bridge, and the Galata Bridge. Paid Breakfast buffet is offered with a variety of locally produced pastries and breads with fancy coffees, including the Turkish filter coffee. A modern hotel with a great price and a great location, Bankerhan Hotel is here for you.

8. Richmond Istanbul

Richmond is yet another affordable yet amazing stay in the middle of Istanbul where one side overlooks the famous Pera District with its history of food, art, and Bohemian nights and the other side overlooks the Golden Horn and the Historic Peninsula. You can easily access several bookstores, galleries, cinemas, bars, and restaurants from the hotel’s location. According to the hotel’s website, it is the only hotel in the İstiklal Boulevard which makes it a popular destination to explore. Popular places like the Saint Antione Church, The Blue Mosque, and the Galata tower. Like many other hotels, this one is also reconstructed from a 19th-century apartment block with cute trams strolling by the building.

A mixture of Urban and Retro, the lobby feels like a classic airport reception including breakfast-cum-bar area on the side. The rooms have a bit of a retro feel with abstract bedspreads and mid-tone curtains and though certainly lacks a bit of character, it gets the job done. The bathrooms are furnished with bathtubs or a rainshower with a sleek modern finish. The hotel is quite famous for its Leb-i-Derya restaurant and the menu offers both Turkish and international cuisines. Although it doesn’t hold many surprises, it’s a safe bet for anyone visiting Istanbul, especially for its low price.

9. Park Hyatt Istanbul

Park Hyatt resides in one of the fashionable addresses of Istanbul. Lined up with fancy boutiques, stylish cafes, and bars, the location is near to the old town, Sultanahmet. While the hotel in itself doesn’t stand out that much from the rest of the Hyatt properties, the interiors of the hotel are quite filled with Turkish designs and patterns.

The hotel offers a serene 20-meters long swimming pool, a small gym, saunas, and spas as well as Hammams. The room is larger than the average rooms offered by the hotels in Istanbul with bathrooms furnished with limestones. Some of the best rooms are on the top floor of the building which offers great views of the Bosphorus. The hotel doesn’t have many dining concepts although the breakfast buffet offers a variety of options to choose from. Other available services are Laundry, a small wine bar, Free Wifi, and of course Hammams and Spas. Park Hyatt is on the pricer end of this list but the location is worth it.

10. Neorion Hotel

Last but not the least, Neorion Hotel has one of the highest ratings amongst the plethora of options to choose from. The hotel is just a walking distance from the city center and the major sites like the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, as well as the major tourist attractions such as the spice bazaar and plenty of museums. You will find plenty of traditional places to eat, including street vendors and chic-style cafes. The exterior of the hotel is quite attractive with Ottoman-style facades, pointed-arched windows, and blue and white Arabic style panels which is the highlight of its exterior.

Neorion Hotel staff treats their guests like Royalty, offering complimentary wine while they give a rundown of the exquisite place and the incredible location. The hotel has only 53 rooms adorned with Turkish rugs and paintings above the headboard. The standard rooms have showers whereas the deluxe and the super deluxe rooms offer an amazing view of the place with bathtubs in the wet room. The amazing Turkish breakfast buffet can be a highlight for some, which is lined up with Turkish pastries, fresh fruits, meats, and cheeses. The hotel unquestionably deserves its praise and with its rate is certainly a worthy choice.

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