Best Luxury Hotels In Istanbul
Truly unique and utterly jaw-dropping, Istanbul is a melting pot of history, culture and empires that have all influenced this magnificent city. From the Ottoman and Byzantine to the Roman and Egyptian, the imprints left behind through art and architecture are some of the greatest examples in the world. Straddling both Europe and Asia thanks to the Bosphorus Strait, this indulgent destination, once only discoverable to those allowed behind the palace doors is now home to some of the best bars and clubs, restaurants and retail all of which ooze with decadence. A weekend or a week here and you will feel like the royalty that the city was built for. Here are our favourite 5-star and luxury hotels to stay at in the city.
Fatih, Istanbul
Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul
Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Istanbul’s historical peninsula, merges neo-classical architecture with Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage. Originally built in 1895 and designed by Ottoman architect Hovsep Aznavur, the hotel stands near landmarks like the Spice and Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. The 63 luxurious guestrooms offer views of Istanbul, present traditional Turkish décor, and local finishing touches like Turkish tea sets. After extensive restoration, the hotel now features a grand atrium, a library of historical books, and modern art installations, including monochromatic photographs of Istanbul by Harun Doğan. Sanasaryan Han’s dining options highlight local cuisine, while its Library Bar is a sophisticated setting to enjoy drinks. This hotel is a splendid urban sanctuary blending history, culture, and modern luxury.
Sanasaryan Han, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Istanbul
Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton
Located literally within touching distance of Istanbul’s UNESCO architectural and cultural wonders, the Hagia Sofia Mansions, Curio Collection by Hilton, offers a quintessentially luxurious guest experience. A collection of restored, historic mansion houses have been reimagined as beautiful, Ottoman-style palatial suites, with access to fine dining, relaxed sun-kissed courtyard cafés, bars and restaurants, and a unique spa housed in one of Istanbul’s ancient underground former cisterns. The UNESCO old city, the Sultanahmet Archaeological Park, on the European side is probably the most visited, and here one finds the Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton close to Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, steps to the Hagia Sofia Grand Mosque and beside the Hürrem Sultan Hamam, and the former sultan’s Topkapı Palace. Yet despite being at the heart of this popular area, this Curio Collection by Hilton property has wonderfully authentic and tranquil areas including a beautiful dining courtyard with views to the Hagia Sofia museum and mosque and another charming restaurant with views to the historic sites.
Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton
The St. Regis Istanbul
This hotel is located in the Nisantasi district and thus lies in the European side of Istanbul. The bedrooms in this hotel have a warm feeling and are decorated with copper and aluminium Art Decos. All rooms have a butler service. The hotel has a top-level restaurant and bar, but visitors can also choose to visit the many dining areas in the surrounding places. St. Regis Istanbul has seven floors, all of which are creatively designed with natural materials and excellent art. In the basement is an Iridium spa with seven massage rooms and a hammam.
10 Karakoy
The Luxury Editor discovered that if you want to get the inside track on the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul then stay in the über-cool Karaköy district. And the best address to call home? Well that’s ‘10 Karaköy’, a Morgans Original Hotel. Found in a landmark, renovated neo-classical building, transformed by award-winning architect Sinan Kafada, this luxury boutique property, with signature Rudolf restaurant by Rudolf van Nunen, is filled with art, and striking design. Expect style, glamour and luxury at this 71-room hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
This hotel was transformed from a 19th-century palace to one of the most luxurious places you can stay when vacationing in Istanbul. It is located in Bosphorus, one of the best neighbourhoods in the city. This location allows visitors to watch the romantic sunset from a waterfront position. The hotel has 170 guest rooms, and these include 25 suites. The entire building features ancient Ottoman architecture, and the decorations are also inspired by contemporary designs. Visitors can also enjoy spending time in the large outdoor swimming pool that overlooks the Bosphorus Strait. Alternatively, they can spend time in the well-lit underground swimming pool. This one also features underwater music.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
Sisli, Istanbul
Park Hyatt Istanbul – Macka Palas
This hotel is set in the Nisantasi neighbourhood, and this place has been noted to be one of the best shopping centres in the city. The hotel is housed in a historic building that was constructed in 1922. It has, however, been redesigned to match modern levels of luxury and convenience, especially with regard to the showers and tubs. One of the highlights of this hotel is the wine bar that serves 70 varieties. It also has a fitness centre, free Wi-Fi, two meeting rooms and a spa.
W Istanbul
This hotel is located in the central part of Istanbul. The Nisantasi shopping centre is just about 15 minutes away from the hotel. The construction and design of this building have generally transformed the surrounding areas since it features classy modern architecture. That being said, some aspects of traditional Islamic architecture have been retained as references to the history of the place. The hotel has many useful amenities, including a spa and free Wi-Fi. It is important to note that Wi-Fi is only free in the public spaces of the hotel.
Sisli, Istanbul
The Ritz Carlton Istanbul
This hotel is set near the Taksim Square, and that puts visitors within walking distance of many tourist attractions in the city. A notable advantage of this hotel is the east-facing rooms that give you a perfect view of the beautiful Bosphorus. This is the best place to stay in if you enjoy watching the sunset as you enjoy a glass of wine. The rooms in this hotel are spacious, and they all reflect some forms of Ottoman designs.
Besiktas, Istanbul
Raffles Istanbul
Raffles is part of the award-winning Zorlu Centre. Unlike many of the surrounding hotels, it is designed with a modern Turkish look. It doesn’t feature any Ottoman references. The public spaces outside the hotel are adorned with Turkish and international art. The hotel has many essential services. These include a kids’ club, bar, restaurant, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, pool, laundry and room service. They also have free Wi-Fi. The rooms are beautifully designed with works of art that are inspired by the Blue Mosque. They also have Nespresso machines and tablet computers for guests. Raffles has two restaurants: Arola and Lavinia. The first one focuses on Spanish cuisine while the second one specialises in contemporary Turkish mezes.
Shangri-La Bosphorus
This hotel is part of a Hong-Kong group. It is located in Besiktas district on the European banks of the Bosphorus Strait. The hotel has a classic design, with a lot of marble being part of the construction. To complete the look, the hotel employs Turkish and Asian staff. Service in the hotel is personalised and swift. Some available amenities in the hotel include a bar, laundry, pool, room service, hammam, fitness centre, parking and a restaurant. The hotel has 186 rooms, and these have been noted to be some of the most spacious in the entire city.
Besiktas, Istanbul
Ciragan Palace Kempinski
This hotel is located in the convenient Besiktas district on the European side of the Bosphorus. It originally served as a palace for Turkish sultans. Many heads of state have stayed in this hotel, and this has only served to continue its tradition of serving royalty. The hotel has three restaurants, one of which is Tugra. This dining area provides classic Turkish cuisine and is well-known in Istanbul for its high quality. Visitors to the hotel enjoy 24-hour butler service, a luxury lounge, and a private entrance.
Grand Hyatt Istanbul
This hotel is located in Taksim Square, a central position in the city. This location allows visitors to visit many places in the city using public transport. The hotel has four different types of rooms: standard rooms, deluxe rooms, grand club rooms, and suites. Standard rooms are on the lower floors. Visitors can enjoy using the climate-controlled fitness centre. It is supplied with water, towels, weights, and machines. The rooms have LCD televisions, a desk and work area, a dining table, a minibar, and a Nespresso coffee maker. The minibar is fully stocked with beer, juices, and snacks.
* All the properties and products we feature are independently selected by our editors and contributors. If you buy something we may earn a commission.