On my last trip to Istanbul, I was fortunate enough to experience some aspects of Istanbul that I had not witnessed in previous trips. Istanbul is changing, the city has always been dynamic, but modern Istanbul is quickly developing into a complex, luxury destination. While visiting with various luxury properties and speaking with luxury travel professionals in Turkey, I learned that many luxury seeking visitors are coming from Europe versus the United States. It seems that U.S. travelers are more interested in Istanbul and Turkey from a historical standpoint, whereas, Europeans view Turkey as a weekend getaway filled with shopping, nightlife and entertainment.
My theory is, if Americans were aware of what Istanbul has to offer as a luxury destination, their travel plans would differ. I decided to start a series of blog posts dedicated to Modern Luxury in Istanbul in an effort to shed light on the dimly lit impression that Americans have of Istanbul. This is the first post of that series; my review of Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus in Istanbul
Four Seasons Bosphorus
Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus is a 170 room property which resides in a former Ottoman palace. The renovation took nine years and every inch of the hotel is a testament to the painstaking detail and effort put forth by the developers and architects of the property. Suites have soaring ceilings and overlook the spectacular outdoor pool and the Bosphorus straits. The location of Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus is simply perfect. The property sits on the Bosphorus in the Besiktas neighborhood, a short distance from all of the glamorous nightclubs and restaurants on which Istanbul built its nightlife reputation.
When I pulled into the parking lot of the property, my initial reaction was “Wow, this is a lot of space.” Istanbul is a city of more than 15 Million inhabitants (some say more like 17M) – think Manhattan but bigger. Some of the most expensive homes in the world are located on the waterfront in Istanbul. Now imagine building a 170 room, luxury hotel loaded with taste and style, expansive outdoor areas (pool, outdoor dining, gardens) – you are now imagining Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus.
Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus Pool and Bar
The exterior of the hotel is a lavish white and the façade is lit up with torches at night. There is a private dock for the hotel; the concierge can assist guests with private, chartered yacht tours. The interior of the hotel borrows traditional elements of style from Ottoman times – Turkish carpets, hand painted ceilings with white marble, cool turquoise and deep, cobalt blues. The architects and designers of the property did an impeccable job maintaining The Four Seasons style while incorporating essential Turkish decorative motifs.
My tour of the property started with the restaurants, which was all fairly basic. Aqua is the main restaurant, offering Mediterranean cuisine. In the mornings, a lovely breakfast buffet is available for guests. The Lobby Bar and Lounge is an intimate area where guests can relax, enjoy a Turkish coffee or a Raki in the evening. I visited in November, therefore, the Pool Bar and Restaurant was not open but we did visit the space. The Pool Bar and Restaurant would likely have been my favorite spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is a wide open space right on the water with a fantastic view of the Bosphorus.
Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus Pool Bar in the Evening
The sleeping rooms. 145 guest rooms and 25 suites. The rooms are all brightly lit and have great space. Because the hotel is a former palace, the ceilings are higher than what one might come to expect from other hotels. In Turkey, marble is somewhat of a staple, but it is lovely to see the calm, light gray marble lavishly adorning the bathrooms of each sleeping room. The suites all overlook the Bosphorus, it is simply not possible to go wrong with any of the suites. The suites on the top floor have private rooftop terraces and 180 degree views of the Bosphorus.
The outdoor space. I had difficulty deciding which aspect of the hotel was my favorite but the outdoor space is certainly in the top two. The pool is simple and gorgeous. My visit was on a chilly day, but it was quite easy to imagine the lovely, tanned bodies that must frolic poolside during the summer months. In my mind’s eye, I could see Missoni bikinis and Cartier sunglasses; a stylish set of guests sipping gracefully on delicious, summertime cocktails or noshing on tasty Turkish treats while basking in the Mediterranean sun.
Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus Outdoor Pool
Spa & Hammam. I believe this was my favorite aspect of the hotel. Although I am of Turkish descent, I have never been to a hammam. In case you are not clear, a hammam, or a Turkish bath, is a Turkish spa experience where people scrub you down in a steam room. At Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus, there are three hammams – his, hers and couples. The spa and health facility is expansive and very, very well done. I am a spa lover and I often visit luxury properties simply to experience their spa facilities and I can honestly say that this spa was one of the best I’ve seen in the world.
Four Seasons Hotle Bosphorus - Hammam
The indoor pool which is next to the spa and fitness area of the hotel is also truly beautiful. It reminds me of an ancient, Byzantine cistern where emperors might bathe. The marble, the pillars, the sky light and the 22ft ceilings make the pool an experience not to be missed. You can even listen to music underwater at this pool. Need I say more? Let the pictures speak for themselves.
Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus - Indoor Pool
I have visited many luxury properties in Istanbul and for various reasons and Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus is my favorite and likely where I would plan my next stay. The location is perfect – shopping, sights, entertainment are all within a short distance. The spa and the indoor and outdoor pool are a big bonus. In comparison to other properties with similar elements and price range, it comes down to what you are looking for on a personal level. A luxury experience without any fuss is what one will find at Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus. It is a perfect sized hotel with the right amenities. You will not see random people traipsing through the property looking for a bar or restaurant as you might see in other luxury properties. Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus is an intimate property more exclusively for guests of the hotel.
For more information or to book at trip please contact us HERE OR phone us at 312.263.1991 or 800.677.8875
