The Peninsula Istanbul

Istanbul

Contemporary Turkish design meets historic splendour on the banks of the Bosphorus

After making its debut in February 2023 as the glittering new gem in The Peninsula Hotel’s global lineup, The Peninsula Istanbul has already garnered global attention, being crowned the winner of the One To Watch Award 2024 – an accolade that the 50 Best team bestows on a property they believe has the potential to break into the list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels in future years.

Set in a storied, historic city and crafted with the Peninsula brand’s meticulous approach to modernity and future-forward design, the hotel navigates the nuances of past and present with ease.

The hotel fills four distinct, interconnected buildings, each with their own unique façade, stretched across the shores of the moody blue Bosphorus and offering unparalleled views of the ancient city beyond.

Among these buildings is one dating back to 1937 that was once the terminal building for cruise ships. The hotel’s more long-lived guests can still recognise echoes of the previous interior – a testament to the lengths the team went to preserve and sensitively meld old and new aspects of the hotel’s structure.

Architectural elements like fountains, tiles, crown moldings and ornaments have all been painstakingly restored and its setting with views of the city’s iconic bridges and Sultanahmet district in the distance all help to make the hotel feel inherently Turkish.

However, it’s some of the newer additions that shine most brightly, such as a cavernous spa that houses eight treatment rooms, a fitness center and an indoor pool or the amenity-packed guestrooms with every gadget imaginable, including a rather unusual novelty: an all-in-one fax/scanner/printer/photocopier – something that almost feels like a luxury in today’s digitally dominant world. 

The rooftop of the 1937 building houses the only two-Michelin-star restaurant in Türkiye, Gallada, helmed by Fatih Tutah who serves up Turk-Asian fare in a vibrant setting where sultry summer evenings stretch into the balmy nights.

With its Instagram-worthy riverside setting, sumptuous Ottoman-inspired design and authentic Turkish hospitality, The Peninsula Istanbul was an easy to spot pick for this year’s American Express Travel One To Watch Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024.

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