Which hotel in Istanbul?
Jun 27, 2018, 5:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Phuket
Posts: 69
Which hotel in Istanbul?
Going to stop for 3 nights in Istanbul to avoid a 7 hr layover on the way to Egypt for a two week tour but can't decide between the Four Seasons, Raffles or St Regis.
Any advice or other options worth looking at?
Any advice or other options worth looking at?
Jun 27, 2018, 5:19 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,599
Raffles, when it opened, was my favorite in the city, but things may have changed since then, as my last stay was years ago. Raffles certainly more city hotel than FS.
Can't comment on StR, but service standards in Istanbul are generally high.
Jun 27, 2018, 3:31 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Here, there … you know how it goes.
Posts: 1,518
Had a phenomenal stay at SR last year; a few years prior had a very enjoyably stay at FS Bosphorus.
I think it really comes down to whether you want to be on the river or not. Having done it once, SR is where I would stay for my future visits.
I think it really comes down to whether you want to be on the river or not. Having done it once, SR is where I would stay for my future visits.
Jun 27, 2018, 4:36 pm
#5
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Jun 28, 2018, 5:28 am
#8
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I stayed at Raffles back in 2015. I think I booked a JR Suite but was upgraded to a huge one bedroom suite. The physical product was great but not the location, very drab and sterile ( it's connected to a shopping mall ). I actually prefer the Four Seasons Sultanhamet which is a lot more historic and close to all the sights.
Jun 28, 2018, 3:25 pm
#9
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A little unconventional, but we loved our suite at 10 Karakoy. Great neighborhood, wonderful rooms. Or The Vault Karakoy. Also great location.
Jun 28, 2018, 5:10 pm
#10
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If this will be your first visit to Istanbul, the FS Sultanahmet is very well located in the middle of the major tourist sites. It's a beautiful and unique property with a lot of character.
If you've been already to the major tourist sites and/or prefer to be closer to the fine dining/shopping in town, or don't mind a short 15-20 min trip to the tourist sites, then the FS Bosphorus, St Regis, or Park Hyatt can be better or more appropriate choices. In our case, we stayed at the PH even for our first stay in Istanbul--it was just a 15-20 min Uber/taxi drive to the FS Sultanahmet and major tourist sites and an easy 15-20 min train ride and short walk back.
If you want to be on the Bosphorus/have water views, the FS Bosphorus is your choice--but it is very pricey (I'd say overpriced) for the actual rooms/suites that look onto the Bosphorus. We didn't love the formal and sterile marble ambience of the property, actually. YMMV
If you want to be in the midst of the best shopping with lots of nearby restaurants, the PH and StR are the best choices--though it's just a 5-10 min Uber/taxi ride to the FS Bosphorus.
The PH and StR are barely a block apart from each other. The StR property offers more chances for Bosphorus views, but those are not guaranteed and are distant at best. Both are more modern and fresh in design aesthetic. Both have excellent service--and are known to be among the best in their portfolios. We had a fabulous stay at the PH. We would love to try the StR on our next stay because we love StR butler service.
If you've been already to the major tourist sites and/or prefer to be closer to the fine dining/shopping in town, or don't mind a short 15-20 min trip to the tourist sites, then the FS Bosphorus, St Regis, or Park Hyatt can be better or more appropriate choices. In our case, we stayed at the PH even for our first stay in Istanbul--it was just a 15-20 min Uber/taxi drive to the FS Sultanahmet and major tourist sites and an easy 15-20 min train ride and short walk back.
If you want to be on the Bosphorus/have water views, the FS Bosphorus is your choice--but it is very pricey (I'd say overpriced) for the actual rooms/suites that look onto the Bosphorus. We didn't love the formal and sterile marble ambience of the property, actually. YMMV
If you want to be in the midst of the best shopping with lots of nearby restaurants, the PH and StR are the best choices--though it's just a 5-10 min Uber/taxi ride to the FS Bosphorus.
The PH and StR are barely a block apart from each other. The StR property offers more chances for Bosphorus views, but those are not guaranteed and are distant at best. Both are more modern and fresh in design aesthetic. Both have excellent service--and are known to be among the best in their portfolios. We had a fabulous stay at the PH. We would love to try the StR on our next stay because we love StR butler service.
Jun 28, 2018, 5:48 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
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We thoroughly enjoyed our brief overnight in room with a Bosphorus view at FS Bosphorus . Was also seamless ride to the airport .
We had sailed in and already had a night on the ship after docking early in the day .
Our private guide had shown our group of 6 around and the next day both of us “ toured “ again .
We went by the other hotels and were glad we retreated to FS Bosphorus after the bustle of the city and with the calls to prayer by the mosques around the other hotels ( though this will help if you have an early flight
) .
We had sailed in and already had a night on the ship after docking early in the day .
Our private guide had shown our group of 6 around and the next day both of us “ toured “ again .
We went by the other hotels and were glad we retreated to FS Bosphorus after the bustle of the city and with the calls to prayer by the mosques around the other hotels ( though this will help if you have an early flight
) .Last edited by FlyerEC; Jun 29, 2018 at 4:38 am
Jun 29, 2018, 4:15 am
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Phuket
Posts: 69
This is a first flying visit, only 2 full days to see as much as possible so FS Sultanahmet seems the best choice and we do have a 6.25 am flight out.
PH would have fitted well as it has a pool but a non smoking hotel!
PH would have fitted well as it has a pool but a non smoking hotel!
Jul 1, 2018, 4:16 am
#13
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The f&b is of a very high quality and the service very good. The pool is gorgeous and generally empty during weekdays.
I'm confused, are you opposed to non smoking hotels?
Jul 2, 2018, 1:02 pm
#14
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Not on the water but the views are amazing and when the call to prayers go off it is magical. Not right adjacent to anything but a decently short walk from many.
Jul 3, 2018, 4:37 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Phuket
Posts: 69
The PH is a gorgeous property. We had the Diplomatic Suite with our own Hanmam. The top suites are the only rooms with Bosphorus views.
The f&b is of a very high quality and the service very good. The pool is gorgeous and generally empty during weekdays.
I'm confused, are you opposed to non smoking hotels?
The f&b is of a very high quality and the service very good. The pool is gorgeous and generally empty during weekdays.
I'm confused, are you opposed to non smoking hotels?
I have booked the FS Sultanahmet so fingers crossed!