The Peninsula Istanbul

We had a truly lovely stay at The Peninsula Istanbul, where we spent two nights and felt like royalty. The hotel, with its contemporary architecture and refined atmosphere, exudes elegance and luxury—almost like stepping into a celebrity lifestyle. Mine at the reception was incredibly knowledgeable and checked us in smoothly. As American Express members, we were graciously upgraded to a deluxe room with a stunning view of the Bosphorus and offered a late checkout until 6 PM—a wonderful perk. Our room, located in the beautifully restored historic building, was both spacious and immaculately prepared. The attention to detail was remarkable: a mini birthday cake, a bowl of fresh fruit, a chocolate piece designed to resemble the hotel’s façade, and unlimited complimentary bottled water. I especially loved the elegant touches—embroidered napkins, silver cutlery, and beautifully set plates. The hotel offers a modern twist with a Peninsula WhatsApp chat, available for any questions or updates about hotel events. There’s also an iPhone by the bed for direct calls to reception or room service, and an iPad for other in-room services. Local and national calls are complimentary—an impressive and thoughtful feature. Their pillow menu was a great bonus. I chose a cotton, firm pillow, while my husband opted for an orthopedic one for better neck and back support. One of the most convenient features is their complimentary shuttle that takes guests anywhere within a 4 km radius. We used it a few times to visit the Old Bazaar. We enjoyed a swim in the patio pool, which feels like an extension of the sea, given its proximity to the Bosphorus. The hotel also offers morning yoga and Tai Chi classes, with refreshing juices and drinks provided. In the evening, we took a peaceful stroll through the hotel’s garden, ending at a grand golden gate that opens into Galataport and the nearby mall. On our return, we simply rang the bell and the guard let us back into the garden—a charming detail. The location is ideal—just a 10-minute walk to the Galata Tower. My son visited and enjoyed the famous cheesecake with ice cream. Sadly, I didn’t have time to explore the tower myself, but it’s definitely worth a visit (note: you’ll need tickets). On our second day, we stepped out into the heart of the city—surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and shops. Don’t miss the Doner at Hamid Usta at the end of the street, followed by dessert at Güllüoğlu, known for the best baklava with ice cream and other sweet treats. One of my favorite discoveries was just above the hotel. Walk five minutes straight from the hotel, turn right at the first street, and you’ll find a lively alley filled with fish sandwich stalls. The tables are set in the street, and the wait is worth it. We ate at Şehir Ahmed Usta, and everyone in our group loved it. For non-fish eaters, köfte sandwiches are also available nearby. A special thank you to Nedret at Concierge, who helped us book an unforgettable dinner at Gallada Restaurant on the rooftop—offering a delicious blend of Turkish and Japanese cuisine. She also arranged our visit to the Ginili Hamam, giving us a wonderful overview of the historical bathhouses in the area.

Absolutely fabulous!! Worth every penny you spent!! I stayed in Kempinski, Çırağan, Four Seasons Bosphorus and some others not worth spelling here over the years. Kempinski and Four seasons are fabulous but Peninsula İstanbul beats them all! The service, the newness, the pool like you are in the Bosphorus channel and the impaccable service of every single person works there!! Kudos to Nrend at front desk! He was awesome with my requests. Don’t waste your time, assess in Istanbul is Peninsula Istanbul folks!! Not to forget the beautiful house car that can take you a few kilometers around ç. He dropped us off by Gramd Bazaar. Galataport where this hotel is hip and happening and literally 10 minutes to all highlights of historical Istanbul. I cannot to go back in August!! Just so it! I added photos from the hotel Premises and near by historical sites such as Yerebatan Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque

OMG! Absolutely, one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had! We flew into Istanbul to spend a few days taking in the sights before boarding a cruise ship to Greece, Croatia and Italy. My wife had booked everything, so I had no idea what to expect. We stayed in the Peninsula’s newest wing and the suite we were upgraded to was fabulous! It was spacious, luxurious and absolutely SPOTLESS! The only regrets I had was that we couldn’t spend any more nights there!

Beautiful hotel and amazing staff. We arrived at 3 AM and the hotel was ready with a room upgrade for us-perfect after our long journey. Being one of the newer luxury hotels, the room was phenomenal (received a lovely upgraded suite). They also arranged to have an early breakfast delivered to our room on the departure date. Pool service was excellent. Location is walkable to Galata Tower and hotel has a shuttle to Taksim. Also close enough to Grand Bazaar and other sites given its location on the Bhosphorus. Hands down one of the best hotels we have stayed at!

This is an incredible property blending historical buildings with contemporary architecture and design. Right on the Bosphorous, our room had floor to ceiling windows looking out over the water and the Golden Horn beyond. The heated pool is divine - I could have stayed forever. Fantastic breakfast and a really great rooftop bar / restaurant. The service is impeccable. Impeccable!