Skip to content Skip to footer

Luxury hotels of Istanbul – where to stay? Chapter 1, Sultanahmet.

I will not surprise anyone saying that Istanbul is a big city. Well, very big city it is. So, the variety of neighbourhoods and broad selection of luxury hotels in different locations can be quite confusing. I have no ambition to compare all luxury hotels of Istanbul since they are many, so just few of them where I was staying recently.

It goes without saying, that you can book any of described hotels with my help and enjoy Virtuoso/Preferred Partners’ benefits.

The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Stunning Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, probably the most well known landmark of Istanbul, is part of Sultanahmet district where concentration of historical monuments, important heritage assets and tourist attractions is the highest. This is also very tourist-friendly area, safe, clean, easy to navigate and to move around, packed with treasures of any scale, from tiny to tremendous. It might be not the most authentic area of the city, but in my opinion, it is the right place to be for those who travel to Istanbul first time.

Old cemetery in Sultanahmet area of Istanbul
Shopping in Sultanahmet

And here, just couple of steps from majestic Sophia, another treasure is found, luxury hotel Four Seasons Sultanahmet. This small exquisite gem of luxury hospitality occupies historical building which at some point was a prison – what a transformation! Oh, an above picture of Grand Mosque is actually taken from hotel – that close!

Four Seasons Sultanahmet
Four Seasons Sultanahmet

I always tell clients that European Four Seasons hotels are very different from what you find in North America. They often occupy beautiful historical buildings, and even your bed, bathroom amenities, level of service are unmistakably Four Seasons standard, European Four Seasons properties have so much more character in them. Four Seasons Sultanahmet is not an exception. So, expect the rooms to be different from each other even within one category. This is plus, not minus. Something which makes hotel one of a kind.

I really recommend Four Seasons Sultanahmet to anyone who visits Istanbul first time. It is a city hotel, not a resort, no swimming pool, but service is fabulous, charming courtyard is a big bonus, and recent reconstruction added lovely spa with traditional Turkish hammam and treatment rooms. Breakfast is superb, and oh… the best Turkish coffee I’ve ever tried. When I ordered it first time, the waiter questioned me if I tried Turkish coffee before and if I really know what to expect. ๐Ÿ™‚ I do know, and the one they serve at Four Seasons Sultanahmet is a piece of coffee art.

Turkish coffee at its best

Well, if you want to be steps from most of main attractions of Istanbul, than Four Seasons Sultanahmet is the place. And make sure you have time for proper breakfast without rush.

Breakfast at Four Seasons Sultanahmet
Four Seasons Sultanahmet, courtyard

Book Four Seasons Sultanahmet with me and enjoy:

  • Exclusive Preferred Partnersโ€™ deals when available
  • VIP service and priority for your special requests
  • Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
  • Hotel/Resort Credit (based on room category booked) enriching your stay with your choice of experience โ€“ from spa and dining to recreation:
    • Guest Rooms: USD 100 credit per stay
    • Suites and Specialty Suites: USD 200 credit per stay
    • Private Retreats: USD 200 credit per bedroom per stay
  • Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in
  • Welcome note at check-in, acknowledging you, your travel agency and the Preferred Partner benefits.