By David Wickers, 101 Holidays editor
Istanbul in summer is a hot and hectic place – but there’s a seriously cool way to enjoy its remarkable palaces, mosques and bazaars.
I have just returned from a 4 day trip to Istanbul where I stayed at two luxury hotels, the Kempinski and the new Four Seasons (pictured above). Both are situated on the banks of the Bosphorous, the narrow straits that separate Europe from Asia.
With outdoor pools, al fresco dining and views across to Asia on the opposite banks, they are more like seaside resorts than city hotels, yet just 10 minutes or so by taxi from the main sights. As places to return after a long morning’s sightseeing, they are unbeatable.
And these are no ordinary five star retreats; each has been converted from a 19th century Ottoman Palace, built as imperial summer boltholes for the sultans.
The newest is the Four Seasons. The soft and natural interiors are a long way from the glitz that your average Ottoman would have demanded, although the standards of service would please the most demanding of pashas. It opened a few months ago, as sister to the Four Seasons Sultanahmet, which was earlier converted from a prison in the old heart of town. The Four Seasons on the Bosphorous has 166 rooms – hardly boutique, but the feel is surprisingly intimate. The spa is remarkable.
The Ciragan Palace is the older and larger hotel (313 rooms, mostly in a modern annexe), virtually next door. Restored and reopened by Kempinski in 1991 after a massive fire, the style is more traditional. It scores particularly highly on food, from what could well be the world’s most elaborate breakfast to the award winning Turga restaurant, which serves recipes derived from historic Ottoman recipes.
Both hotels are bookable through
Like this? Email a link or share it with your friends
Tags: Kirker
