Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

I returned to this hotel with family. This is a great base for seeing the old city part of Istanbul. We then transferred to the Ciragan Palace for the Bosphorus vibe and to see sites in that part of the city. A proper visit to Istanbul needs both angles. This hotel is nearly flawless; except for a longer than expected wait for my luggage on arrival, this place is excellent. Our executive room on the 3rd floor is best for good lighting; it also has 2 bathrooms. The gym was renovated and is still a bit small, but it is adequate and was designed well. The hotel has a steam room and sauna but no pool. The courtyard restaurant is excellent with an interesting and unusual but wide-ranging menu, and we ate all our 3 meals there during our 24 hour stay. The spinach flatbread is really yum. For good photos, the rooftop is not bad but even better is the 7 Hills Terrace across the street. You can order lunch or dinner and run across the street and get your photos and be back in time for your entree. The hotel is 2 minutes walk from the main square where the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are. The underground cisterns are open again and that is right against the square. The Grand Bazaar is about 10 minutes walk and is not the best shopping spot anyway. The Topkapi palace is just off the square as well. This is definitely a hotel that is within the theme park and it is especially nice to stroll in the square at night when things have quieted down and the mosques are all lit up. It's a good reason to spend a night here. Concierge was really good prearrival arranging transfers and even arranging a guide for sightseeing at the last minute after my Tours by Locals guide cancelled on us last minute due to a medical emergency. Traffic to the hotel from the airport was not as bad as I expected and neither was the transfer to the other Four Seasons hotel along the Bosphorus, which is 3 minutes walk from the Ciragan Palace hotel. If I were returning to Istanbul, I'd want to seriously consider staying at the Four Seasons Bosphorus as well.

There are two Four Seasons in Istanbul. They are sister hotels and there is a private boat that takes you to both resorts where you have full access. This is very valuable. This hotel, in the “old city”, is near many of the main attractions but doesn’t feel crowded. The hotel has a calming effect because it is boutique and intimate. The staff is outstanding. They care. There is a young, newly employed member of the bell staff named ILKAY SIVRI. He went out of his way to ensure that we were treated like royalty! (We are not royalty). The concierge team is very knowledgeable and responsive. The restaurant was actually our favorite for the entire stay. The food is outstanding. Our room was a suite and is was well appointed and elegant. The gym is only just ok. It’s small with no natural light. There is no pool, which is fine. This hotel is not a resort, it’s a true five star hotel. Definitely recommend it!

The is is one of the finest hotels I’ve ever stayed in, and I do travel well. The location is stunning , but that isn’t what makes it top drawer. The staff are just amazing. The concierge desk in particular was incredibly helpful . We did take the hotel boat across the Bosporus to the other 4 S property for lunch,and it was very different but equally amazing. I cannot imagine staying anywhere else in Istanbul.

Absolutely wonderful hotel with exceptional concierge staff! The rooms were lovely and highly automated. We had a huge 2 story corner suite and it was beautiful. The bar tender was incredible (he’s been there for more than 20 years) and the check-in and concierge staff were unbelievable!

Excellent property. Beautifully decorated to convey a sense of what living in that exciting city must be like - combining incredible history with modernity. As with all Four Seasons hotels, service staff was wonderful, and they conscientiously provided us with 2 large bottles ( 1 L) of water twice a day. Best of all, it was located EXACTLY where we wanted to be - a 6 minute walk from Sultanahmet park - a large urban square that is flanked on one side by Hagia Sophia and by Sultan Ahmet Mosque on the other. Just beyond Hagia Sophia is Topkapi Palace. The Basilica Cistern is a few short blocks beyond Sultanahmet park. And if you want to see some whirling dervishes, the Hodja Pasha Performing Arts Theater hosts a Sema Ceremony most evenings and is within walking distance. Breakfast was fine and the staff helpful with my gluten-free needs – but Ted enjoyed it more than I did. I would not hesitate to recommend the Four Seasons Sultanahmet.