Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul

We were looking forward to this stay given the glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, and the experience overall was…good. The room itself was spacious and comfortable and the hotel was well-maintained. The views overlooking the Bosphorus were great. The breakfast buffet had a nice selection of food, though the quality of food was not as great as the variety of food. However, the hospitality was a bit underwhelming for a hotel of this caliber. We stayed for 4 nights, and while no one was rude, it felt like everyone was going through the motions, which resulted in an experience that was fairly unmemorable. Had this been a 4 star hotel, my expectations would have been lower. Overall, a good option, though will probably give another hotel a try next time.

Great hotel right on the Bosphorous bank (Ferry goes straight to Asian side Kadikoy- right at the food street) and in the University district near the stadium and Dolmabace Palace. Short walk to Four Seasons for alternate restaurant options. Breakfast has good variety (with my lactose free milk available!) but croissants were not fresh. Small Gym with hot spa, sauna and steam room available for guests and an indoor 29oC pool. Spa on a different level but internal lift so still private and you can wear your dressing gown. I had a partial Bosphorous view but was right at the water end of the hotel so had a great view of the river right up to the main bridge and the large Mosque on the hill on the Asian side.

This hotel was the perfect ending to our whirlwind Turkey trip! Out of the three hotels we stayed in, this was by far the best. Our room was spacious and elegant, and the service was outstanding. The lobby was filled with tempting treats – though I was always too full to indulge, they were a feast for the eyes! Our final dinner at the Asian restaurant was the best meal of the entire trip. The bed was incredibly comfortable, although I only had a few hours to enjoy it due to an early flight. The Bosphorus view from my room was incredible; it felt like I could step right onto the ferries below!

A truly relaxing comfortable stay in luxury with good friendly service. Most importantly, the room is quiet and tastefully furnished. We were given an upgrade and our room overlooked the sea and is very quiet and luxurious. We stayed 4 nights at this establishment and buoyed every night. The food in IST TOO is very good. It serves breakfast and is also an Italian breakfast. This restaurant is really good and we ate there for breakfast and dinner. The chef is Italian and the food is exceptional especially the charcoal grilled meats and Italian pasta. Wine selections are great too. In terms of location, it is not walking distance from the historical sights at Sulthanamet but it is very conveniently located near ferry terminals which can take you to the Asia side or various stops at the European sights. It’s walking distance to Dolmabache Palace. I purposely chose to stay here as I had planned to stay in 2 hotels during my 1 week in Istanbul. A few nights near tourist sights near Sulthanamet and a few nights away for some peace and quiet and near ferries. This hotel fit well with our plans. Service is good from concierge to reception to housekeeping and every area in the hotel. The gym facilities are wonderful.

Excellent hotel; superior staff; great pool and spa. We relaxed there every after long days of exploring. Location on the water was nice; breakfast on the patio was lovely. The concierge coordinated our every need. What you should expect from a Shangri-La.