The best hotels in Istanbul
Once the site of three historic empires, Istanbul now plays host to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman architecture. With this in mind, ambitious visitors often embark on a frenzied itinerary. Compact days are spent urgently traversing between the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Galata Tower. In the evenings tourists pour onto outdoor terraces, feasting on experimental takes of traditional manti and lahmacun as they plot their agenda for the next day. Days in the city are accompanied by the sound of chaotic traffic and the hum of ferry engines, which can often leave travellers craving a quiet escape. The hotels of Istanbul provide exactly this. From artsy 1950s architecture to old school glamour, here are the best hotels in Istanbul to book now.
What’s the best part of Istanbul to stay in?
Stretching across two continents, Istanbul can appear slightly daunting to navigate for first time visitors. For those who want to be in the middle of the action, the historic Faith district is best. Hotels in this area give easy access to the mosques and frantic bazaars of the city. In the upbeat Karaköy district, towering townhouse suites offer views of palaces, shopping hubs and art galleries nearby. Hotels adjacent to the kaleidoscopic Bosphorous strait are particularly popular amongst visitors to Karaköy, though those in-the-know tend to head to the Sariyer suburb for a more tranquil experience.
It is also worth noting that the city has an efficient transport system in place; both ferries and trams shuttle travellers between neighbourhoods, ensuring that the location of your hotel is simply a starting point on your exploration of the city.
How we chose the best hotels in Istanbul
Our Istanbul specialist has curated these properties based on their prime locations, exceptional service levels, and suitability for specific audiences.
1/11Raffles Istanbul
Best hotel in Istanbul for: shopaholics
Guests at Raffles Istanbul are whisked through a revolving doorway and straight into a lively lobby; suited businesspeople, fashionable families, and trendy couples can all be found lounging at the central cafe seating area next to the reception. The buzz stems largely from the hotel’s location right in the heart of Istanbul’s Zorlu Center, a glamorous shopping mall equipped with high end, designer spots. I would advise that guests make use of these nearby facilities, particularly the local artisanal shops. Visit Haremlique for Turkish bed linens and Atelier Rebul for vintage inspired fragrances.
Once you have tired of shopping, retreat to one of Raffles’ elegant rooms. All offer floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies overlooking the minaret peppered cityscape and cerulean Bosphorous. The rooms are equipped with a personalised butler service, ensuring that your every need is met throughout your trip - use them to book taxis, organise trips, or reserve a spot at the Raffles Spa. A 32,300 square-foot wellness centre, the spa is one of the most spacious in Istanbul, offering intimate, low-lit couples suites and luxurious marble hammams. The convenient location ensures that visitors have easy access to the restaurants at the Zorlu Center, though İsokyo at Raffles is well worth the visit for fresh sushi dishes and experimental cocktails.
Price per night: from £632
Address: Zorlu Center Besiktas, Besiktas, 34340 Istanbul, Turkey.jpg)
Manolo Yllera, Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul2/11Mandarin Oriental Istanbul
Best hotel in Istanbul for: shorefront dining
Perched along Istanbul’s coveted Bosphorous Strait, the Mandarin Oriental makes the most of its location. The rooms are equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, with roof terraces even provided for some of the more palatial suites. From here, guests can watch the seagulls dart along glittering ripples of the ocean as quaint, retro boats and freight ships bob past. Interiors are sleek and minimalist, with vibrant blue accents and lacquered mahogany echoing the nautical surroundings.
Intent on capitalising on the waterfront views, the Mandarin Oriental offers a Cantonese concept restaurant, Hakkasan, and an Italian eatery, Olea, towards the far end of the property. Guests can choose from indoor seating, where glass walls lend themselves to panoramic vistas, or outdoor dining when the weather allows. Olea is a particular highlight, serving dishes rooted in original family recipes and boasting Istanbul's largest Italian wine cellar.
Price per night: from £980
Address: Kurucesme Mah. Muallim Naci Caddesi No:62 Besiktas, Besiktas, 34345 Istanbul, Turkey
Courtesy of Rixos Tersane Istanbul3/11Rixos Tersane Istanbul
Best hotel in Istanbul for: modern grandeur
One of the newest hotels to open up in the city, Rixos Tersane is located in a 600 year old historic dockyard turned urban neighbourhood. Tucked inside the artsy Beyoğlu district—currently one of Istanbul’s trendiest enclaves—the hotel blends history with cutting-edge design. Its sleek exterior of glass, slate grey, and gleaming metal sets the tone. Once inside, the theme of modern luxury continues. Guests are housed in rooms offering sweeping views of the Golden Horn, with smooth beige wooden furnishings and lacquered statement walls reigning supreme. A glimmering infinity pool can be found outside, alongside well-equipped outdoor and indoor gyms.
Whilst the modern grandeur is incredibly impressive, my favourite part about Rixos Tersane is the thoughtful historical design details - think vaulted ceilings, walls adorned with delicate tulip frescos, and inlaid marble tabletops in geometric patterns. A few bits even nod to the nautical theme of the nearby historical dockyard, including rare miniature wooden boats and other sea-related artefacts. Be sure to check out the Gowden Club, too. Here, guests are served whiskies and cognacs alongside a curated cigar selection. Its sleek exterior of glass, slate grey, and gleaming metal sets the tone.
Price per night: from £280
Address: Camiikebir Mahallesi Taskizak Tersanesi Caddesi No 23 2 Beyoglu, Beyoglu, 34437 Istanbul, Turkey
4/11Bebek Hotel by The Stay
Best hotel in Istanbul for: fine dining
Visitors often venture down to Bebek Hotel by The Stay simply for its fine dining scene. The hotel is home to Sankai by Nagaya, a Michelin star Japanese restaurant serving food omakase style. Menus change depending on both the season and the catch of the day, though visitors can expect fresh sashimi and a range of different nigiri.
The hotel’s striking mid-century interiors cater to design lovers too. A popular spot amongst glamorous bohemian types during the 1950s, the Bebek was recently redesigned by Turkish architect Mahmur Anlar in 2019. The rooms now combine original art deco details with more modern influences; subtle neon lighting, plush teal carpets, and glimmering wooden panelling decorate the 22 suites within the property. Floor to ceiling windows also act as a nod to the Googie architectural style of the 1950s period. This – alongside the location of the hotel along the waterfront – means that visitors can opt for rooms with panoramic views of the Bosphorous strait. Turning inland, the ritzy Bebek neighbourhood is equally scenic. Majestic yalis (wooden mansions from the Ottoman period), opulent foreign consulates, and quaint local boutiques can all be found in this affluent suburb.
Price per night: from £499
Address: Bebek, Cevdet Paşa Cd. No:34, 34342 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye
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5/11Soho House
Best hotel in Istanbul for: old school luxury
Soho House Istanbul honours the time-old charm of the storied nineteenth century building that hosts the notorious members club. Originally commissioned by a Genoese shipbuilder in 1873, the house was soon taken over by the US embassy. Interiors are still equipped with features from this period, including marble floors imported from Carrara and towering Pimento rosewood doors. During the restoration of the house, ornate frescos, art nouveau ironwork and vintage furniture was also revived. This, alongside the onsite art collection featuring works by Andrew Schoultz, Arslan Susan, and Kerim Yetkin, make Soho House Istanbul a haven for history and culture buffs. The surrounding Beyoğlu district is fittingly bohemian, with independent galleries, artisanal boutiques, and experimental restaurants in abundance.
In contrast to the grand social spaces of the house, the suites themselves are relatively minimalist. Muted colours, free standing bathtubs, and heavily pillowed beds encourage relaxation - as does the traditional hammam at the property. Be sure to visit the rooftop Aphelia restaurant too. Views of crooked streets and steeped houses accompany a mediterranean menu with a Mexican twist.
Price per night: from £437
Address: Evliya Çelebi, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:56, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
6/11Six Senses
Best hotel in Istanbul for: a wellness focused retreat
The hectic markets and tourist filled attractions of Istanbul can get a little overwhelming at times. For those who are seeking out respite, head to the Six Sense Kocatas Mansions. Located in the subdued Sariyer neighbourhood, the hotel stretches across two former nineteenth century properties: Kocatas mansions and Sait Pasa Mansions. Once owned by the Ottoman Minister of Justice, the mansions fell into disrepair after a fire. Revived in 2019, the property has been sensitively restored to accommodate for 43 guest rooms and suites.
Minimalist interiors - including sleek brass furnishings, ornate wooden chests and panelled ceilings - create the impression of being aboard a cabin on a ship. Panoramic views of the Bosphorus only complete the illusion, with the steadfast cerulean strait seemingly stretching out below gridded windows and sweeping French doors. For ultimate relaxation, visit the spa for a traditional hammam ritual; attendees are cleansed, exfoliated, and washed in marble lined hot rooms.
When it comes to dining, the hotel's Toro restaurant serves Turkish dishes, including the region’s traditional breakfast. Expect plates heaped with fresh fruit, briny olives, honey and molasses, cold cuts of meats and sharp cheeses.
Price per night: from £342
Address: Merkez, Meserburnu Cd. No: 5, 34450 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Türkiye
7/11Çırağan Palace Kempinski
Best hotel in Istanbul for: Ottoman grandeur
Formerly a seventeenth century Ottoman Imperial palace, Çırağan Palace Kempinski has retained much of its original royal character. Interiors are flushed with deeply saturated velvet and full-bodied satins, all of which are dazzlingly reflected in polished wooden panelling. In summer, visitors pile onto the sprawling grounds, where palm trees and clipped gardens are privy to intimate conversations as parties dine al fresco. The sense of sultan-esque luxury is even carried into the more modern section of the hotel - the annex . Here, rich marble detailing, four poster beds, and bold Tulip emblazoned rugs ensure seamless symmetry with the historical palace.
Staying true to tradition, the Çırağan Palace Kempinski offers traditional Ottoman cuisine at the Tuğra Restaurant. Meticulously researched, the menu revolves around historic dishes from the nineteenth and twentieth century, including kadayif - a crispy bitesized walnut flavoured dessert served to imperial visitors during the 1870s. Other amenities include a historical hammam, a heated outdoor infinity pool, and Le Fumoir - a traditional hookah and cigar lounge.
Price per night: from £577
Address: Yıldız, Çırağan Cd. No:32, 34349 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye
8/11The Bank Hotel
Best hotel in Istanbul for: a home away from home
Once a nineteenth century bank, this humble hotel is tucked away in an unassuming building in the centre of Karaköy. One of the busiest neighbourhoods on the European side, the district is home to the Karaköy Gallery Building, the Gallata tower, and the Istanbul Museum of Modern art. The hotel is also well situated for foodies - the Michelin approved and locally revered Mikla restaurant is only a short jaunt away.
The rooms themselves are cosy; sleek wooden interiors and rustic iron radiators give the hotel a true town-house feel to it. Be sure to venture upstairs to the lively rooftop bar too. From this vantage point visitors can cherry pick attractions to marvel at, the nearby minarets of mosques and modern skyscrapers interrupting the horizon. When night falls, pop into the Serica Terrace on the floor below for Turkish fusion dishes, including truffle manti dumplings and pomegranate garnished beef kebabs.
Price per night: from £185
Address: Arap Cami, Bankalar Cd. No:5 D:1, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
9/11Ecole St Pierre Hotel
Best hotel in Istanbul for: understated luxury
Initially a French Catholic school located inside an Italian monastery, the Ecole St Pierre Hotel has some memorable architectural features. Arched casement windows, slim courtyards and Genoese walls built during the thirteenth century form the bones of the building. More recently, renovations welcomed in minimalist interiors. Streamlined eggshell walls and porcelain linens are punctuated only by chic cobalt tiled bathrooms and the occasional exposed brick wall.
With only seventeen rooms, the Ecole St Pierre hotel manages to retain a homely feel to it - a welcome characteristic when considering the chaos of the Gallata Tower just a minutes walk away. When visitors are in need of some respite from the hectic touristic hubs nearby, they can dine al fresco at the hotel’s courtyard restaurant. Here, locally sourced ingredients are used to craft traditional Italian dishes - the menu itself an ode to original architect of the property.
Price per night: from £353
Address: Bereketzade, Galata Kulesi Sk. No:14 D:20, 34420 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
10/11The Peninsula Istanbul
Best hotel in Istanbul for: nearby cultural attractions
Perched along the Bosphorous, The Peninsula Istanbul emerged as part of the Galtaport project aimed at revitalising the waterfront. The project vastly over performed, with the stretch now packed with people hurrying between the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and Galataport Cultural Center. The nearby promenade hosts a range of cultural events for visitors and there is even something for the shopaholics amongst us - a revamped Ottoman-era post office showcasing local Turkish boutiques. Expect embellished linens, muted gold jewellery emblazoned with the evil eye, and ceramics adorned with contemporary takes of traditional Tulip designs.
Similar to the surrounding cultural offerings, The Peninsula Istanbul blends Turkish hospitality with modern luxury. Suites are drenched in light, the reflection of the Bosphorous below casting glimmering shadows on the lily-white walls. An expansive indoor swimming pool and sauna ensures guests can relax when temperatures drop in the winter months. Those lucky enough to visit during the summer can also lounge by the outdoor pool; hugging the waterfront and decked out with ivory sun-beds, the Pensinula’s pool is perfectly situated for people-watching those trespassing between between the two continents.
Price per night: from £814
Address: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Karaköy, Kemankeş Karamustafapaşa Mahallesi, Kemankeş Cd. No:34, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye.jpg)
Used with permission11/11Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet
Best hotel in Istanbul for: history buffs
When it comes to location, the Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet is perfectly placed for history buffs. Owing to its position overlooking the Hagia Sophia mosque, the historical sites of the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace and other attractions of the Fatih district are within walking distance. The history of the building itself is also intriguing; a reconverted Ottoman era prison, the site was once home to hundreds of anti-establishment artists and writers. The neoclassical architecture is a nod to this period, with sweeping courtyards, peeping turrets, and towering archways featuring in abundance.
The rooms themselves retain quaint characteristics from the neoclassical period too, including lofty ceilings and spacious interiors. Refurbished for luxury living, the suites are now decked out with hardwood furnishings, local artwork and expansive French windows. Views vary depending on the room, with visitors either peering out over the canary coloured courtyards or the nearby historical attractions of the Sultanahmet neighbourhood. Balconies are available upon request, but if you are in search of a truly breathtaking view, simply venture up towards the hotel’s rooftop bar. Visitors can sip experimental cocktails made by the onsite alchemist whilst the pastel stained Hagia Sophia mosque looms overhead.
Those in need of rejuvenation can find relaxing treatments at the onsite Kurna Spa. Lined with flecked marble and blue tulip adorned tiles, the traditional Hamam offers the timeless ritual to guests. Other treatments include the sodoashi jojoba body polish and a rhythmic abhyanga massage.
Price per night: from £773
Address: Sultanahmet, Tevkifhane Sk. No:1, 34122, Türkiye
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