The Fussy Flyer » Destination » Middle East » Turkey » Destination: Istanbul

Destination: Istanbul

Destination Istanbul Turkey hotel suggestions basic information and travel assistance

Turkish Delight
Historic Wonders Meet Modern Life in This Timeless City

Istanbul not only straddles Asia and Europe — it also spans the centuries. Its heritage is embodied by the Topkapi and Dolmabahce Palaces, the soaring Hagia Sophia, the maze-like Grand Bazaar, and the domes and minarets of the Blue Mosque, where Muslims pray five times a day. Meanwhile, the 21st century reigns at western shops on Istiklal Caddesi, upscale boutiques in Nisantasi, and throbbing nightclubs by the Bosporus.

Of note: I had a fantastic time in Instanbul and look forward to returning and exploring it and other parts of Türkiye.

Small Blank Bar 12
Is it easy to go to Istanbul Turkey

IST Istanbul Airport Destination Istanbul Turkey The new IST Istanbul Airport opened in 2018

The new IST Istanbul Airport opened in 2018, and is state of the art.

Small Blank Bar 12
When Should I go to Istanbul Turkey When is a good time to go there

The European part of Turkey experience hot, muggy summers and cold, rainy (though seldom snowy) winters. Spring (from April to May) and autumn (from September to mid-November) sees delightful weather in Istanbul, with pleasant temperatures and clear skies. Istanbul’s location near the sea means it can be quite a windy city, especially in the winter, shutting down ferry service.

Small Blank Bar 12
 Destination Istanbul Turkey Preferred and Recommended Hotel and Lodgings

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet Destination Istanbul Turkey Preferred and Recommended Hotel and Lodgings

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ISTANBUL AT SULTANAHMET
Sultanahmet, the old part of city

Recently remodeled, this is my first suggestion for anyone who is visiting Istanbul for the first time.

Arches, tiles, and towers catch your eye upon arrival at this century-old landmark, a former prison turned enclave in Istanbul’s Old City. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is an intimate retreat of 65 rooms and suites offering a variety of views over the landscaped courtyard. The UNESCO World Heritage sites Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque are just a couple of minutes’ stroll from the hotel. Of the 65 guest rooms and suites at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, the signature suites provide extra indulgence. This neoclassical hotel is known worldwide for its attentive service and fine dining.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY FOUR SEASONS PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet Istanbul Turkey Enjoy complimentary VIP Amenities Room Upgrade Food or Spa Credit Early Check-In Late Check-Out Daily Breakfast with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet Istanbul Turkey Check availability and rates that include ALL the Preferred Partner or Virtuoso Amenities not offered online elsewhere with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer


Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus Destination Istanbul Turkey Preferred and Recommended Hotel and Lodgings

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ISTANBUL AT THE BOSPHORUS
Bosphorus Strait

Of Note: A fantastic spa for your private Hammam treatment.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus reflects the changing face of modern Istanbul, infusing a 19th-century Ottoman palace with the contemporary elegance of its waterfront setting. Sunlight floods through the large windows in 145 guest rooms and 25 suites. Young guests enjoy the Mini Seasons Club while parents relax in The Spa, combining tradition with modern therapy. Enjoy the traditional Turkish hammam, famous for its purity, or lounge around the outdoor pool. Dine at Aqua, serving delicious seafood dishes with an extensive array of fine wines. Try YALI Lounge for all-day dining, and the chic indoor/outdoor bar.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY FOUR SEASONS PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus Istanbul Turkey Enjoy complimentary VIP Amenities Room Upgrade Food or Spa Credit Early Check-In Late Check-Out Daily Breakfast with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus Istanbul Turkey Check availability and rates that include ALL the Preferred Partner or Virtuoso Amenities not offered online elsewhere with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer


Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Destination Istanbul Turkey Preferred and Recommended Hotel and Lodgings

CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI ISTANBUL
Bosphorus Strait

The Only Ottoman Imperial Palace And Hotel In Turkey. Located on the shores of the magnificent Bosphorus, facing the Asian continent and overlooking the ancient city, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul offers the glamour of a genuine Ottoman palace in a city where east meets west, Europe meets Asia and history meets the contemporary.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY LEADING HOTELS PARTNER PORTFOLIO

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Turkey Enjoy complimentary VIP Amenities Room Upgrade Food or Spa Credit Early Check-In Late Check-Out Daily Breakfast with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Turkey Check availability and rates that include ALL the Preferred Partner or Virtuoso Amenities not offered online elsewhere with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer


Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus Istanbul Destination Istanbul Turkey Preferred and Recommended Hotel and Lodgings

MANDARIN ORIENTAL BOSPHORUS, ISTANBUL
Bosphorus Strait

A more modern offering along the Bosphorus.

On a stunning 200-metre shoreline with panoramic views across the Bosphorus on the European side of Istanbul, the verdant Naile Sultan pine grove as its garden Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul is a chic and luxurious urban resort offering 77 spacious and luxuriously designed guest rooms with 23 suites each with a private terrace or balcony. A wide range of stylish wining and dining options including Novikov Istanbul and Mandarin Cake Shop, city’s first destination Spa a 3,500-sqm retreat The Spa, two outdoor, one heated indoor pools accompanied by Kids Club for younger fans are offering is the perfect haven for discerning travellers.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY MANDARIN ORIENTAL PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus Istanbul Istanbul Turkey Enjoy complimentary VIP Amenities Room Upgrade Food or Spa Credit Early Check-In Late Check-Out Daily Breakfast with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus Istanbul Istanbul Turkey Check availability and rates that include ALL the Preferred Partner or Virtuoso Amenities not offered online elsewhere with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer


The Peninsula Istanbul Destination Istanbul Turkey Preferred and Recommended Hotel and Lodgings

THE PENINSULA ISTANBUL
Bosphorus Strait

The new hotel along the Bosphorus Strait.

Set on the iconic shores of the Bosphorus strait, The Peninsula Istanbul is ready to welcome guests with open arms – and epic views. The city’s newest property is home to 177 opulent guestrooms and suites, multiple dining venues serving local and international fare, plus lush gardens, two swimming pools, and a full-service spa complete with hammam steam baths. Guests can also take advantage of the onsite shopping arcade, an 8,000-square-foot retail space.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY PENINSULA PENCLUB PARTNER PORTFOLIO

The Peninsula Istanbul Turkey Enjoy complimentary VIP Amenities Room Upgrade Food or Spa Credit Early Check-In Late Check-Out Daily Breakfast with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer

The Peninsula Istanbul Turkey Check availability and rates that include ALL the Preferred Partner or Virtuoso Amenities not offered online elsewhere with Thom Bissett Travel The Fussy Flyer

Small Blank Bar 12
Destination Istanbul Turkey What and Where to Eat food dining restaurants bars and street food

Mikla Mehmet Gürs Destination Istanbul Turkey What and Where to Eat food dining restaurants bars and street food

MIKLA
Kabatas

Mehmet Gürs’ New Anatolian Kitchen combines respect for tradition with a sense of innovation. Among other things, he emphasises the importance of craftsmanship and the diversity of produce that Turkey has to offer. He works with the finest ingredients and gives them pride of place in original dishes that are stripped of unnecessary fuss.
Everything here revolves around the depth of the flavours. A lightly boiled and then grilled octopus tentacle, for example, is enhanced by the addition of a slightly sweet lacquer; a pickled green bean salad with purslane and apple vinaigrette provides a pleasant tanginess; add an intense vegetable gravy and dried fish eggs and you have a fascinating creation that grabs your attention with every bite. And those who avoid meat will be glad to know that the chef always offers a vegan menu. 
An adventure awaits you here and that also goes for the setting – the magnificent 360° view of Istanbul you get from the eighteenth floor of the Marmara Pera hotel really is the icing on the cake.

Small Blank Bar 12

Neolokal Maksut Aşkar Destination Istanbul Turkey What and Where to Eat food dining restaurants bars and street food

NEOLOKAL
Kabatas

Maksut Aşkar and his young team preserve their culinary heritage and guide it into the future with their exciting cuisine. This also involves an emphasis on sustainability, as in the rigorous selection of local produce (including the fine Turkish wines) and the proximity of suppliers. Chef Aşkar puts his stamp on authentic recipes with a subtlety that is all of his own. Imagine a finely spiced ‘cupcake’ made of bulgur and a tasty chicken preparation, accompanied by a rich cream velouté and a full-bodied chicken demi-glace, topped with a potato crisp. The location of the restaurant, in the Salt Galata, makes your experience all the more memorable. The large windows and fabulous terrace afford superb views of Istanbul’s rooftops and beautiful mosques.

Small Blank Bar 12

Turk Fatih Tutak Destination Istanbul Turkey What and Where to Eat food dining restaurants bars and street food

TURK FATIH TUTAK
Bomonti

Fatih Tutak expresses his love for his Turkish terroir. Every day he puts ingredients from his region and produce from local traders on a pedestal. This is a chef who cooks with respect for tradition and what nature has to offer. His predilection for sustainability is reflected, among other ways, in his no-waste approach and use of preservation techniques such as fermentation and dry-ageing. Traditional flavours take on an extra dimension. Part of his originality lies in his nuanced use of delicate acidic and smoky flavours, with which he puts his own stamp on dishes. Take his preparation of manti, a delicate stuffed pasta; he fills them with rich lamb and serves them alongside a sublime smoked yoghurt cream, tomato tapenade and chilli butter. For dessert, he invites you into the open kitchen of this chic, contemporary establishment. Here you will find yourself in the thick of the action.

Small Blank Bar 12
 Destination Istanbul Turkey Information from other trusted sources


My Virtuoso Istanbul Turkey Information Page

Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.

Small Blank Bar 12
WIKIVOYAGE: Istanbul Turkey Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Istanbul Turkey.

Small Blank Bar 12
The Luxury Travel Expert: Top 10: most luxurious hotels in Istanbul
Though a bit dated, a good article. One of the better online blogs for quality travel.

Small Blank Bar 12
You may be interested in these destinations as well

Destination Turkey General Information Page and travel assistance
Turkey General Information Page

Destination Turkey West Coast Bodrum General Information Page and travel assistance
Bodrum General Information Page

Small Blank Bar 12

Have a favorite thing to do or see in Istanbul?

CLICK HERE TO MAKE CONTACT

   or leave a comment below


page updated: March 2023

Destination Istanbul Turkey a wonderful place to visit

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *