If you’re still trying to find the perfect destination for your next summer vacation, we might just have the answer. The Peninsula has opened a waterfront hotel in Istanbul and it looks nothing short of gorgeous.
Situated on the banks of the Bosphorus in the city’s historic Karaköy district, the hotel is set across four buildings – three of which are protected landmarks dating back to the early 1900s – that have been carefully restored to their full splendor.
“Istanbul is a dynamic multicultural city with thousands of years of history and culture, combined with a youthful and vibrant energy,” said Clement Kwok, managing director and CEO of The Peninsula.
“We have spent a lot of time and effort meticulously restoring this beautiful property on the Bosphorus and we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to experience our world-renowned Peninsula hospitality. With our new property we are delighted to offer a magnificent new location that fulfils the most discerning travel dreams.”
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The new hotel features 177 elegant rooms and suites / ©The Peninsula
The new hotel features 177 elegant rooms and suites beautifully decorated with bespoke furnishings, kilim-style carpets, mother-of-pearl accents and lavish bathrooms clad in Marmara marble.
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Many of the accommodations boast floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies revealing sweeping vistas of the Bosphorus Strait – a natural waterway that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
The best place to soak up the views is the 5,490-sq-ft Peninsula Suite. Occupying the entire top floor of the hotel’s southernmost building, the sprawling suite features an expansive living room complete with a baby grand piano, a private hammam, and fitness center. The pièce de résistance, however, is the outdoor terrace which boasts its own rooftop swimming pool and a breathtaking glass house solarium for hosting gourmet dinners.
If you’re looking for something a bit smaller – but equally as lavish – consider booking the aptly named Art Suite. Located on the third floor of the hotel’s main heritage building, the 1,884-sq-ft apartment features its own exclusive art gallery filled with original paintings, sculptures, drawings and photographs from an array of contemporary and classical Turkish artists.
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When it comes to dining, The Peninsula Istanbul has plenty of choice. Set to open later this year on the rooftop overlooking the hotel’s beautifully manicured gardens is the Turk-Asian restaurant, Gallada, helmed by two-Michelin-starred Turkish chef Fatih Tutak.
For a more casual dining affair, The Lobby downstairs serves an all-day Mediterranean-influenced menu, Sunday brunch and afternoon tea. The 260-seat eatery features double-height ceilings and enormous windows overlooking the Bosphorus in a nod to the building’s history as an early 20th-century ferry passenger terminal.
As for relaxation, the hotel boasts an impressive 18,030-sq-ft spa and wellness center complete with traditional Turkish steam rooms, an 82-ft indoor swimming pool, eight treatment rooms and a gym. Outside, guests will enjoy access to another pool dotted with private cabanas while Wellness Portals provide access to in-room programs such as guided exercise routines, meditation and aromatherapy self-care rituals.
The Peninsula Istanbul is ideally situated for exploring the city and is in walking distance of an array of landmarks including the Galata Bridge, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Following the tragic earthquake in Turkey earlier this year, for every room booked at The Peninsula Istanbul, a €10 donation will be made to non-profit and government-funded organizations that provide support for the redevelopment of the most affected areas.
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