Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a city that bridges continents and cultures, with a skyline that blends modern skyscrapers and historic mosques. Once the capital of three empires—Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman—Istanbul’s layered past is still visible in landmarks like Hagia Sophia, a former church turned museum turned mosque, and the recently reopened Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, a 500-year-old bathhouse that just underwent a 13-year renovation. Belle Époque gems like the Pera Palace Hotel have stood from the fall of the Ottoman Empire to the rise of the New Turkish Republic—and it’s where famous guests like Agatha Christie checked in after traveling by rail on the luxurious Orient Express from Paris.
The city has plenty of grand, opulent hotels spread across the European side along the Bosphorus Strait—some just steps from landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. But Istanbul is seeing a revival thanks to a new wave of creatives who are showcasing Turkey’s homegrown talent. This includes the dynamic ISTANBUL’74 team, who organize large-scale public installations and the cutting-edge arts and culture festival IST.FESTIVAL, as well as Melez, an artisanal tea company started by a local tea sommelier and her husband that now supplies some of the hottest hotels in town.
In recent years, big-name hotels like The Peninsula have opened, but now local brands and family-run properties are making their long-awaited debuts in more unexpected spots—from the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara to the sleepy fishing village of Çengelköy on the Asian side.
From large-scale renovations of historic buildings to sleek, design-focused new constructions, here are the top hotels to stay at on your next trip to Istanbul—and what to add to your bucket list for when you immediately want to return.
The Peninsula Istanbul
Courtesy of The Peninsula Istanbul
Perched on the edge of land where the Bosphorus meets the Golden Horn, The Peninsula offers truly stunning views of the architectural wonders across the shore—but it’s the sheer size of the property that will impress you first. Spread across four separate buildings—three dating back to the early 19th century, showcasing architectural styles from Art Nouveau to Arts and Crafts, and a fourth built specifically for The Peninsula—it’s set among gardens filled with magnolia and pomegranate trees, designed by Swiss landscape architect Enzo Enea. It’s a peaceful retreat right in the heart of the city.
Courtesy of The Peninsula Istanbul
Even if you’re just looking to relax, The Peninsula has you covered. Deep inside the building is a massive spa complex, featuring a stunning 82-foot indoor pool lit by shimmering domes inspired by the scalloped niches in local mosques, with speakers playing gentle underwater music for a modern touch. The hotel’s biggest achievement, though, is partnering with the country’s first (and only) two-Michelin-starred chef, Fatih Tutak. His restaurant, Turk Fatih Tutak, draws on his experience at Noma and Nihonryori Ryugin in Tokyo—and his new spot at the hotel, Gallada, has quickly become one of the city’s most sought-after reservations. Book now. —Liam Hess
Amenities: Spa, 2 pools, multiple on-site restaurants, bar, fitness center
Address: Karakoy, Kemankes Karamustafapasa Mah., Kemankes Caddesi N 34, Beyoglu, Istanbul
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Ciragan Palace Kempinski
Courtesy of Ciragan Palace Kempinski
Few buildings in Istanbul have as much history as the Ciragan Palace, commissioned in the mid-19th century for an Ottoman sultan who never lived to see it finished. Luckily, since it was turned into a hotel in the early 1990s (and later taken over by the Kempinski luxury hotel group), anyone who stays here can now enjoy its grandeur.Its opulence is breathtaking. (And plenty have noticed: past A-list guests include Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, and Bill Clinton.) But the Çırağan Palace doesn’t rest on its laurels. Its ever-evolving offerings ensure that repeat guests—and there are many—always have something new to discover. A recent renovation has added a fresh, contemporary touch to the Ottoman-inspired interiors of its 317 rooms and 31 suites, featuring elegant striped wallpaper in shades of burgundy and deep blue, along with lavishly marbled bathrooms. Two new restaurants have also opened, including Akdeniz, the brainchild of visionary Turkish chef Esra Muslu, which serves pan-Mediterranean meze where locally sourced vegetables take center stage.
Courtesy of Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
While it’s just a short taxi ride to the vibrant energy of all of Istanbul’s central attractions, the resort-like feel of its multiple outdoor pools—all lined with sun loungers and offering views of the sparkling blue Bosphorus—means the Çırağan Palace offers the best of both worlds. You can even enjoy a spa treatment in one of the cabanas right by the shoreline. It’s a perfect base for exploring the city, but also a peaceful retreat to return to once sightseeing is done and all you want to do is relax. (Just be sure to ask for a tour of the historic palace that houses some of its top suites and the Tuğra restaurant. It’s filled with stunning architectural details of marble and mother of pearl—just as breathtaking and historically significant as any Ottoman palace most tourists would have to buy tickets to visit.) —L.H.
Amenities: 2 pools, airport shuttle, spa, fitness center, bar, multiple on-site restaurants
Address: Çırağan Caddesi 32, Istanbul, 34349
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Soho House Istanbul
Courtesy of Soho House Istanbul
Tucked into the maze of steep, lively streets that make up Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, the members’ club Soho House—which first opened in Istanbul in 2015—is full confirmation (if you needed it) that the city is an up-and-coming creative capital. And in keeping with Istanbul’s broader spirit of honoring the past while never being afraid to reinvent traditions, the group’s signature cozy aesthetic has been thoughtfully applied to the historic surroundings of the former U.S. embassy where Soho House is located. The atmospheric members’ club building is a warren of high ceilings, Art Nouveau woodwork, etched glass, and grand staircases, but it also has a casual, homey feel. This comes through in the plaster walls left to peel and flicker under candlelight each evening, or the rooms set up with snooker tables and chess boards to encourage a convivial atmosphere.
Courtesy of Soho House Istanbul
Across a courtyard filled with a maze of trees and hedges—offering plenty of quiet spots for your morning coffee—lies the main hotel building. While it’s a more recent, glass-walled addition, it artfully blends the contemporary feel of Soho House’s trademark decor with local touches. (Think traditional İznik tiles in the bathrooms, stocked with plenty of Cowshed and Soho Skin products, or kilim cushions scattered across the plush linens of your enormous king-size bed.) The hotel is also a culinary destination in its own right, with locals packing out its four restaurants. These include an outpost of the popular Italian restaurant group Cecconi’s and the superb, summer-only Greek-Mykonian eatery Apheleia, which offers a gyros-taco hybrid topped with tomato confit and paprika yogurt, as well as beef souvlaki and giant prawns cooked in an outdoor Josper oven. Make sure you grab a seat on the terrace: both Apheleia and the rooftop bar offer stunning views over the rooftops that sweep down the hillside—never more beautiful than when bathed in the orange glow of an Istanbul sunset. —L.H.
Amenities:The hotel offers a spa, airport shuttle, fitness center, two restaurants, and a bar.
Address: Evliya Çelebi Mahallesi Mesrutiyet, Caddesi No. 56, Beyoglu District, Istanbul, 34430
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Aliée
Photo: Fevzi Ondu
Aliée is built on the former site of the Haliç Shipyard, where Ottoman sultans once launched their imperial fleets. As part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Tersane waterfront, this 99-room hotel preserves the archaeological remains of 15th-century stone warehouses on the northern shore of the Golden Horn. LA-based Powerstrip Studio’s Dayna Lee and Ted Berner were brought in to handle the design—no small task, given the resort-like size of the Beyoğlu property. The finished interiors feel like a mix of Martin Brudnizki and the Grand Bazaar: a maximalist blend of star-and-cross tiles, 200 hand-knotted silk rugs, and colored glassware sourced from collectors across Anatolia. The design highlight might be the Pink Bar, where art students from Marmara University have painted floor-to-ceiling murals inspired by Ottoman miniatures. These murals seem to glow in the rose-gold light that fills the room at sunset.
Photo: Fevzi Ondu
One of Aliée’s biggest strengths is its connection to the local arts scene. Contemporary Istanbul is now held in Tersane every September, and private galleries loan works for a central 300-foot-long atrium called The Courtyard (during my visit, Tony Cragg’s corten-steel sculptures were on display). Even the minibars are decorated with designs by Turkish artist Arslan Sükan, but the rooms’ most striking feature is their spaciousness. I stayed in 3025, a terrace suite with floor-to-ceiling views of Fener’s Neo-Byzantine architecture across the water, a closet bigger than most Manhattan apartments, and plenty of five-star amenities: a Sleep Menu with 12 pillow options, and copper baths where you can soak with cedar-scented products by Oscar Quagliarini. You might not use the bath much, though, given the huge lagoon pool in Aliée’s Damask-rose-filled gardens and the Well+ spa—a three-story complex inspired by ancient Roman baths, complete with a recreation of a 600-year-old Turkish hammam. —Hayley Maitland
Amenities: Multiple on-site restaurants and bars, a rowing club and fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, airport shuttles and boat tours
Address: Camiikebir Mahallesi, Taşkızak Tersanesi Caddesi, No 11-19, 34437
The Bank Hotel
Photo: Courtesy of The Bank Hotel
One of the first boutique hotels to draw international travelers beyond Sultanahmet, The Bank Hotel is housed in a 19th-century Neo-Renaissance building that was once the headquarters of Crédit Général Ottoman on Bankalar Caddesi, the main street of Istanbul’s old financial district. Renovated in the 2010s with input from designer Sinan Kafadar, the hotel still nods to its past: the basement vaults now serve as wine cellars for an impressive selection of Turkish wines, while Ottoman-era telephones and cash registers are displayed in common areas. The 61 rooms are cozy spaces with parquet floors, marble bathrooms, and plush beds, with ceilings hand-painted in geometric patterns uncovered during the renovation. Special mention goes to the turndown service, which leaves chocolates made by the hotel’s pastry chef on your bedside table.
Photo: Courtesy of The Bank Hotel
Location-wise, you’re in the heart of Karaköy, with the spires of Topkapı Palace rising above the Oriental planes just across the Bosphorus. The best way to get your bearings is to head to The Bank Roof Bar for a rakı-based cocktail, where you can watch fishermen cast their lines from the Galata Bridge in a haze of Tekel-2000 smoke below. Then, head to dinner at the in-house restaurant Serica, where chef Yiğit Alicioğlu’s menu takes guests on a journey across Turkey, from the Aegean coast to eastern Anatolia. Admittedly, this neighborhood of Istanbul can getIt’s a little chaotic because it’s so close to Galataport, but if you ever want to escape to somewhere calmer, you’re just steps from Karaköy pier. Ferries leave regularly from there to the Princes’ Islands and Kadıköy. The design-focused Moda neighborhood in Kadıköy is one of the most lively areas in Istanbul right now. —H.M.A.
Amenities: Two on-site restaurants, fitness center, underground spa, bar, and rooftop bar
Address: Azapkapı, Bankalar Caddesi No 5, 34421
Ecole St. Pierre
Photo: Courtesy of Ecole St. Pierre
When you step into the 17-room Ecole St. Pierre, you find yourself in a shaded courtyard with orange trees, and collared doves cooing on the wrought-iron balconies above. Within minutes of arriving, I was handed a cold glass of lemonade with mint, introduced to the resident cat Fıstık (which means Pistachio in Turkish), and taken to a second-floor room that feels almost unrealistically peaceful, even though Galata Tower is just outside the stone walls. The upper floors of Ecole St. Pierre are decorated with pale linens, Bosphorus-blue accents, and light wicker furniture. Every bright bedroom looks out over the jasmine-scented courtyard below, where other guests relax with cold bottles of Efes beer after a day exploring nearby sights.
Photo: Courtesy of Ecole St. Pierre
The calm, very European atmosphere makes sense, since Ecole St. Pierre started out in the 19th century as a French-run Catholic school on the grounds of a Dominican monastery. Gaspare Fossati, the architect famous for restoring Hagia Sophia, renovated the building in the 1840s. The remains of 13th-century Genoese walls are still part of the restaurant walls downstairs. (Also, notice the lithographic stones in the hotel lobby—they’re leftovers from when the building was used as a printing house in the 1920s.) There’s no spa or pool here, but you never miss them because the service is so good. Not only do they leave handwritten lists of cultural suggestions for each guest, but the front desk will help with everything from recommending the best antique shops in Çukurcuma to getting last-minute reservations at a local meyhane. —H.M.A.
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, airport transfers
Address: Bereketzade Mahallesi, Galata Kulesi Sokak No 20/A, 34421
Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet
Four Seasons has two hotels in Istanbul, but nothing compares to its first one, which opened in 1996 in the heart of the historic Sultanahmet district. It’s just steps from Hagia Sophia, the Ottoman-era Blue Mosque, and the stunning Topkapi Palace. (In 2008, they opened a second, more luxurious property on the Bosphorus, with several restaurants, a spa, and a large outdoor pool.) But once you step inside the discreet entrance, you feel far away from the crowds of tourists passing through the nearby streets. Housed in a former prison, the hotel recently reopened after a major renovation. Its calming, earth-toned interiors are a relief after a long day exploring the city.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet
Extra points for the former prison yard in the center of the building, which has been turned into a leafy courtyard where you can have breakfast outdoors. The dining options here are excellent, whether it’s the main restaurant Avlu, which serves modern Anatolian dishes all day (like mücver zucchini fritters or cheese and sucuk pide perfectly charred in a wood-fired oven), or the in-house patisserie for delicate French-style pastries at breakfast or afternoon tea. There’s also a spa that specializes in hammam rituals, including a foam massage and hair wash to rinse out that Bosphorus salt. The best perk? A shuttle service runs by bus and boat between the two sister properties, so no matter which one you stay at, you get the best of both worlds. —L.H.A.Casa Foscolo
Amenities: Spa, bar, four on-site restaurants, fitness center
Address: Tevkifhane Sokak No. 1, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, 34110
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Casa Foscolo breathes new life into Istanbul’s historic Pera district, home to the main pedestrian street, İstiklal Caddesi. Housed in a renovated neoclassical building, it blends original features like high ceilings and a central spiral marble staircase with modern touches. The Vargi family’s impressive contemporary art collection of 200 pieces is a key highlight. Artist and curator Yasemin Vemir Emirdag, whose family has two decades in hospitality, brought her gallery-filled neighborhood into her first hotel project. She mixes artwork collected from around the world with pieces from her own home.
Local muralist Hakan Ozdil’s storybook-style designs on the staircase landings on each floor playfully contrast with the beautifully restored, period-specific frescoes on the ceilings. Sculptures and paintings by local artists are scattered throughout the 18 rooms, which are decorated in soft pastel shades like apricot and mint. These colors remind Emirdag of the art and architecture in her other home in the South of France. This brick-and-travertine boutique hotel celebrates cafe culture with a bar and coffee shop, created in partnership with local independent bookstore Minoa. It encourages guests and locals to mix over lattes and books before exploring the lively dining scene on the nearby streets. —Lane Nieset
Amenities: Bar, breakfast, coffee shop, library
Address: General Yazgan Sokak No:12, Beyoglu, 34430
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Princes’ Palace
Photo: Courtesy of Princes’ Palace
The Princes’ Islands off Istanbul are often just a day trip for cruising around the nine islands, but that’s changing with the new family-owned Princes’ Palace. Located along the Sea of Marmara, this boutique property sits on the largest island, Büyükada. Its Ottoman-era mansions were where intellectuals and aristocrats gathered in the 19th century. Known for horse-drawn carriages, or phaetons, this timeless island is where locals now escape the city for weekends and summer breaks. During these times, Büyükada becomes an easier and much less crowded seaside getaway than Bodrum.
Rooms offer garden and water views through floor-to-ceiling windows, with wraparound balconies in the Sea Suites facing Istanbul’s impressive skyline. The design is understated and elegant, with warm wood slat ceilings, modernized Ottoman-style octagon coffee tables, and Turkish artwork from the family’s collection. The nearby 19th-century Victorian mansion, now a members-only clubhouse designed by local Zeynep Fadillioglu (who also worked on The Peninsula Istanbul), helps the island regain its status as a gathering place for Turkey’s elite. But the real draw is the Turkish Riviera-inspired beach club and pool bar. Even better, you can take a dip in the sea itself, wading in right outside the hotel’s front doors. —L.N.
Amenities: Private beach, bar, breakfast included, fitness center, pool, spa, on-site restaurant
Address: Cankaya Caddesi Nizam Mahallesi No 58, Adalar, Buyukada, 34970
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Six Senses Kocatas Mansions Istanbul
The Bosphorus is lined with beautifully restored palaces turned boutique hotels, but Six Senses Kocatas Mansions Istanbul offers a more exclusive private villa feel. The 43 rooms are spread across two neighboring heritage mansions in the old fishing village of Sariyer. They radiate Old World elegance in the most understated way, letting the intricate moldings and murals take center stage. Decor ranges from Ottoman-era furniture with inlaid pearl to more modern, coastal cottage-inspired styles. Think wooden slat ceilings and pale parquet flooring, with neutral shades that let the carpet-cladTrunks and Bosphorus views shine.
Courtesy of Six Senses Kocatas Mansions Istanbul
Staying true to Six Senses’ wellness-focused approach, the uphill spa is just as much a destination as the hotel itself. Spread across three floors in a century-old stone building, you’ll find several treatment rooms inspired by hammams—along with a modern, earth-toned version of a Turkish bath—and an infinity pool overlooking the Bosphorus, where you’ll want to relax on a lounger until sunset. The hotel offers plenty of stunning water views, but two of the best are from the vine-covered terrace at chef Richard Sandoval’s Toro Latin Gastro Bar, or under the thatched roof of the open-air 1860 Lounge, which feels like a trip to the Turkish Riviera. —L.N.
Amenities: 2 pools, airport shuttle, spa, fitness center, bar, on-site restaurant
Address: Merkez Mahallesi, Meserburnu C, Sariyer, 34450
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Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus
Perched over the water like the many yachts cruising the Bosphorus, all 12 rooms at the intimate Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus make the most of sweeping views of the European side’s skyline and sunsets over Istanbul’s famous strait. The secluded location feels like an island, and the hotel’s private boat can quickly take you across the water to lively Beşiktaş, bypassing Istanbul’s heavy traffic—so you can reach the city center in just 15 minutes.
Courtesy of Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus
Blending in with the seaside mansions and fish restaurants in the village-like Çengelköy neighborhood, on a calm bay on the Asian side, the 19th-century building was originally an Ottoman distillery. Renowned Turkish fashion and lifestyle brand Vakko preserved the historic character while adding 1940s-inspired design touches, with oversized arched windows framing water views, marble bathrooms that double as mini hammams with steam baths and rain showers, and Art Deco-style fireplaces.
Courtesy of Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus
Butler service gives it a private villa feel, while at Caviar Kaspia—the Istanbul outpost of the 1920s Parisian institution—warm walnut walls and plush velvet chairs create the look of a private members’ club, where everyone comes to see and be seen (and enjoy the famous twice-baked potato topped with caviar). —L.N.
Amenities: Bar, spa, breakfast included, 2 on-site restaurants, airport shuttle, fitness center
Address: Kuleli Cd. No:43, Istanbul, Istanbul, 34680
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the best hotels in Istanbul covering everything from grand palaces to cozy boutique stays
General Questions
1 What makes Istanbul hotels so unique
Many hotels are set in historic buildings like former palaces or mansions offering incredible architecture and Bosphorus views You get a mix of oldworld charm and modern luxury
2 What is a boutique hotel in Istanbul
Its a smaller stylish hotel with a unique personality Instead of a big chain you get personalized service themed decor and often a more intimate local experience
3 Are the grand palace hotels worth the high price
Yes for a special occasion They offer worldclass service incredible history stunning Bosphorus views and toptier spas Its an experience not just a place to sleep
4 Is it better to stay on the European or Asian side of Istanbul
The European side has most major historical sites and nightlife The Asian side is more residential relaxed and authentic It depends on your travel style
Practical Planning Questions
5 Which area is best for firsttime visitors
Sultanahmet is ideal You are walking distance to the Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Its touristy but convenient
6 Which area is best for nightlife and modern vibes
Taksim Square and the Galata area Youll find trendy bars restaurants and boutique hotels with rooftop terraces
7 Do I need a hotel with a Bosphorus view
Its highly recommended A room with a view of the Bosphorus Strait is magical especially at sunrise or sunset It adds a lot to the Istanbul experience
8 What is the best time of year to visit Istanbul for good hotel deals
Spring and Autumn The weather is pleasant crowds are smaller and hotel prices are lower than in peak summer
9 Is breakfast included in most Istanbul hotels
Yes a Turkish breakfast is a huge deal Most hotels include a generous spread of cheeses olives bread