Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul is one of the city’s newest five star hotels, bringing a touch of Asian luxury to the European bank.
The elegant hotel occupies a prestigious location next door to Dolmabahce Palace in the converted 1930s Besiktas Tobacco Warehouse.
Location
Within walking distance is the chic Nisantasi shopping district while the Besiktas ferry terminal is just in front of the hotel and the Kabatas funicular and modern tram station is a 10-15 minutes walk. Staying along this peaceful stretch of the Bosphorus is much quieter than busy Taksim and touristic Sultanahmet, yet both are easily accessed by metro or taxi.
The stunning marble lobby is truly dazzling with stately furniture, Chinese vases, shimmering chandeliers, artistic flower arrangements and a grand staircase under a dome-shaped atrium. The also hotel features over 1000 pieces of European and Asian art.
The cosy Lobby Lounge offers afternoon tea and light snacks and Le Bar next door is a hotspot for expertly-mixed cocktails, tapas and mezze.
Arrival
The hotel features 186 guestrooms and suites, including the opulent Shangri-La Suite with three private terraces. Even the glass lift that took us to our suite following a welcoming check-in is feminine and pretty with a Chinese pastel birdcage print on the wall.
The Suite
Our Deluxe Bosphorus Suite was simply breathtaking and ever so elegant, subtly blending Turkish, Asian and French design influences. The reception area leads on to an enormous living room on the corner of the hotel with fantastic floor to ceiling views of the Bosphorus Strait, looking out to the Asian side of Istanbul.
The living room features a dark wood dining table for four, executive writing desk, a comfortable sofa area and a 42-inch LCD satellite TV with in-house movie channels and DVD player. The marble-topped bar area includes a minibar filled with premium spirits, complimentary mineral water, a Nespresso machine and a separate kettle with five mini caddies of Ronnefeldt loose leaf tea.
It was a delight to choose between fine teas such as Princess Grey, jasmine pearl and Morning Dew mango and citrus green tea for different times of the day to truly feel at home. We were also welcomed with welcomed with a pot of Chinese green tea served in a lovely basket with china cups.
The living room was also filled with stunning flowers that perfumed and brightened the room – a thoughtful touch that can sometimes be overlooked in luxury hotels. Another home comfort is complimentary high-speed wifi, which made it easy to plan our days exploring Istanbul.
Following on from the living room is an impressive walk-in wardrobe with two expansive rails, plenty of drawers and storage space (ideal for long-stay guests).
The Bedroom
Our spacious bedroom was serene and bright, designed in a soft palette of cream and beige with teal and grey-blue highlights. It has an enviable view of the Bosphorus, giving the illusion that you could dive right in. Waking up to such an inspiring landscape with the light streaming in each morning was a real treat and made leaving our heavenly king-size bed that little bit easier.
I loved the ornate fabrics in the bedroom, mixing light chinoiserie with metallic and embroidered textures. We found the sumptuous pillows 300-thread count linen absolutely perfect, but there is a pillow menu with hypoallergenic options, if guests have a particular preference.
Turndown
At evening turndown, cotton mats and complimentary bottles of mineral water are placed by the bed with a Shangri-La bookmark next to a copy of James Hilton’s Lost Horizon.
The Bathroom
The seductive black marble bathroom with heated floors boasts a deep soaking tub, rainfall shower, double sink, a mist-free mirror with flat-screen TV and a drawer filled with bathroom essentials. There are plenty of luxurious towels, face cloths and plush embroidered bathrobes and slippers. I loved the brilliant white sliding doors with carved Asian patterns that separate all of the rooms.
The bathroom is generously filled with Bvlgari White Tea bathroom products plus bath salts and a reed diffuser with the Shangri-La signature scent – a warm blend of vanilla, sandal, musk, bergamot and tea spiced with ginger.
Breakfast
Each morning, we headed down for an indulgent breakfast at IST TOO, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that serves both Asian and Mediterranean cuisine and features a Japanese sushi bar and noodle puller.
Starting the day in IST TOO is a fabulous affair, particularly if you can score a table overlooking The Bosphorus, although the sofa seats are comfortable and luxurious. A number of breakfast stations offer tempting hot dishes, eggs cooked to order, delicious pastries, gourmet cereal, fresh juices, yoghurts, fruit compotes and everything needed for a traditional Turkish breakfast.
I particularly liked the pancakes served with maple syrup and chocolate spread and the blueberry custard pastries.
The hotel also offers Cantonese fine dining with its signature restaurant Shang Palace on the lower ground floor. I dined at Shang Palace at Shangri-La Paris and was wowed by its excellent dim sum, barbecued meats and tasty claypot dishes.
The Swimming Pool and Spa
Spending a few hours enjoying the hotel’s impressive health and leisure facilities is an absolute must when staying at the hotel. Guests can work out at the state-of-the-art gym and swim under hand-painted clouds in the stunning heated indoor pool with tiny mosaics or relax with a herbal tea on the poolside loungers.
The friendly, attentive staff offered us fresh fruit and bottled water and guided us up to CHI Spa to try the spa facilities (separate for men and women). The expansive CHI Spa has a distinctly Asian feel and includes facilities such as a hammam, sauna, Turkish bath, tropical experience shower and relaxation room with plush spa beds.
Treatments inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies are available and guests can enjoy a complimentary 15 minute reflexology appointment (be sure to book a slot right away, as they fill up quickly).
What really adds character to Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul is the warmth and helpfulness of the staff. Concierge really impressed us when we decided at last minute to have dinner at the very popular Karaköy Lokantasi. Within a few moments, we had a table secured and were on our way there in a taxi.
Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul is a fantastic new addition to design-conscious Istanbul and ideal if you’re looking for a luxurious retreat away from the crowds. With such spectacular views, opulent interiors and fine attention to detail, it’s easy to fall for Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul.
For more information and booking, visit: www.shangri-la.com
Chérie City was a guest of Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul
Photos by Chérie City and Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul
