Check-in, Chill Out!
The first thing you do when you arrive at your travel destination is hop in the car and head straight to your "home away from home" for the next few days. If the hotel doesn’t meet your expectations, it can really put a damper on your trip. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for Istanbul!
Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus
Mandarin Oriental is the ultimate luxury urban resort, sprawling over 16 lush acres and stretching along 200 meters of the glimmering Bosphorus shoreline. The first thing you’ll notice as you step inside is the delightful blend of honeysuckle, sandalwood, and a hint of vanilla that fills the air.
The location is perfect for those wanting a break from Istanbul’s hustle and bustle while still keeping the city’s major sights within a 30-minute drive. With 80% of its rooms and suites offering mesmerizing Bosphorus views, this place is all about making the water your constant companion, especially when dining at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurants and lounges by the water’s edge.
Boasting over 100 guest rooms, each space is generous in size, and floor-to-ceiling windows with balconies add an extra touch of luxury. When it comes to relaxation, the hotel doesn’t disappoint. The sprawling 38,000-square-foot wellness area features 14 treatment rooms, including two beauty rooms and a swanky VIP suite. Expect top-notch massages, facials, and treatments using upscale products like Barbara Sturm, ensuring you leave feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
Istanbul hotels love to spice things up with a dash of local flair, offering guests delightful experiences like luxurious Turkish baths (hammams), mouth-watering traditional Turkish breakfasts, and exciting guided tours of the city's nearby historical treasures.
Pera Palace Hotel
Originally built in 1892 and opening its doors in 1895, Pera Palace Hotel was born to welcome the glamorous passengers of the Orient Express, the legendary train service started in 1883 by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. Step into a room here and you'll find yourself surrounded by history with polished wood headboards, silk rugs, and vintage photographs of old Istanbul. The hotel boasts a charming French-style patisserie adorned with Art Nouveau décor, and the evocative Orient Bar in the lobby (Hemingway surely had a drink or two here). Don't miss the fine-dining Agatha Restaurant on a lower floor, serving a delicious blend of Turkish and international dishes.
One of the hotel's crown jewels is Room 101, a museum dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who frequently stayed here between December 1915 and October 1917. In honor of his 100th birth anniversary in 1981, the room was transformed into a museum, showcasing his personal treasures like ebony chairs, exotic oriental carpets, and a rare black silk prayer rug.
The Pera Spa, though cozy, feels like a luxurious cocoon with its Jacuzzi, lap pool, and Technogym-equipped fitness center. Guests can indulge in a variety of hammam treatments, including couples' rituals, Valmont facials, and relaxing hot stone and Swedish massages. For a slice of Turkish history, be sure to visit the Ataturk Museum Room, open daily.
From the July 2024 issue of FHM India.
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