Location
The Peninsula Istanbul boasts a prime spot along the Bosphorus waterfront right in the heart of Karaköy – a historic neighbourhood at the northern end of the Galata Bridge that’s packed with trendy cafes, bars, restaurants and galleries.
Situated right next to Galataport, Istanbul’s cruise ship terminal that opened in 2021 and now houses more than 250 shops and restaurants, plus cultural hotspots like the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, there is no better spot to base your Istanbul adventures from.
Getting there from either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) Airport takes around 45-50 minutes by taxi and from there, you’re walking distance from the Galata Bridge, Galata Tower, Sultanahmet (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace), the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
LUXE tip: Don’t miss the famous deboned-in-front-of-your-eyes mackerel sandwiches in Karaköy (they’re worth the wait) and definitely pay a visit to Karaköy Güllüoğlu just down the street for the best baklava in town – even The Peninsula Istanbul serves their baklava in-room for guests and as part of their famed Sunday brunch.
Rooms and suites
The Peninsula Istanbul is made up of not one, but four buildings that stretch along the Bosphorus. The main building (aka. Building 2) houses the reception, lobby, the hotel’s two F&B venues, GALLADA and Topside Bar and the SPA and Wellness Centre – and is actually the old Karaköy Passenger Terminal building designed by Rebii Gorbon in 1936, with the original clock tower on its roof.
In fact, many locals who visit The Peninsula Istanbul – for a staycation, meal or to celebrate a special occasion – have nostalgic childhood memories of being there way back when, waiting excitedly for the ferries with their families.
Buildings one and three are also heritage buildings and have been painstakingly restored with beautiful art deco details. Both of these buildings are fitted with guest rooms and suites, of which there are 22 room types. Whether you choose between Garden or Bosphorus views, having a terrace or balcony, Deluxe, Superior, Grand or Premier categories, one thing’s for sure – you will not go wrong with any room type at The Peninsula Istanbul.
Curious about Building 4? This is the only new building in the hotel, which houses conference and meeting rooms for large-scale events, conferences and meetings.
We stayed in a Deluxe Bosphorus Room in Building 1, which had a fantastic view overlooking the waterfront and outdoor swimming pool. Sized from 44 to 59 square metres (474 to 635 square feet), we luxuriated in the comfort of our completely soundproof room, which had plush carpets, a king-sized bed, marble bathroom with not one but two vanities, separate dressing area with mirrors and plenty of space to hang up our outfits.
The working desk made for a bougie WFH (work from hotel) situation – Bosphorus view and all – while the tech-savvyness of the room was truly impressive (cue the LED touch panels on the wall for controlling the lights, temperature, curtains, valet call and more). The room could also be controlled by the interactive digital bedside and desk tablets, which are preset in one of seven languages (Arabic, English, French, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish or Turkish).
As for the bathroom, we loved the option of having both traditional, fluffy white towels or a fusion-style Turkish towel aka. peshtemal, not to mention the bespoke bathroom amenities with destination-specific scents created by local fragrance creators.
LUXE tip: Be sure to pull out floor-to-ceiling mirrors with leather loop handles to see yourself from even more angles, and bring several bath bombs to take advantage of the marble bathtub.
Dining
A lavish breakfast – buffet-style and a la carte – is served daily at the Lobby, a stunning location with high ceilings, golden ambience, and beautiful art deco design details. There are also a few seats outdoors for those who would like to watch the boats go by.
In the afternoon, indulge in The Peninsula Istanbul’s iconic three-tiered afternoon tea set. This pic-perfect experience includes four scones and a mix of savoury and sweet bite-sized treats paired with your choice of loose leaf teas or coffee. Or, why not enjoy your afternoon tea set with a few glasses of bubbly to boot?
By dusk, check with the Concierge to see whether fireside drinks are happening. Weather permitting, it’s a must-do to gather around the hotel’s fire pit along the Bosphorus – replete wih plaid blankets to keep warm – and enjoy a pre-dinner tipple or two.
Open from 4pm til late, Topside Bar is a great spot for some expertly made cocktails paired with panoramic views of the Bosphorus from the sprawling terrace. Inside, the vintage and maritime theme also offers a cosy environment to while away the hours before or after your meal.
Speaking of which, a booking at GALLADA should not be missed. A collaboration with renowned Chef Fatih Tutak (of two Michelin star restaurant, TURK), the menu at this very spacious restaurant is proudly Turk-Asian, featuring exotic flavours of ancient Silk Road cuisine – think all kinds of dumplings, wood-fired meats and seafood, and a signature Tandoori Duck with all the fixings.
Last but not least, there’s Abelia Pool Bar, which is open from spring through summer. In between dips in the pool and jacuzzi, guests can enjoy a light and refreshing menu of hot and cold Turkish mezze, salads and sandos, sushi, desserts, and drinks.
LUXE tip: Plan ahead (read: wear loose but elegant attire) for the hotel’s legendary – and very much epic – Sunday brunch. Held in the lobby with a live band, no less, the never-ending spread of buffet items goes all the way around the room and even outdoors with authentic hot dishes, an on-demand pasta station and barbecue grill for seafood and meats.
From salads to sushi, lobster, prawn, oysters, and house cured salmon, to an entire wall of colourful desserts –including as much Karaköy Güllüoğlu baklava as you can handle plus the hotel’s viral hot chocolate – prepare to waddle out of there feeling very satiated.
Wellness
Besides the outdoor pool and heated jacuzzi, which is open all year round, The Peninsula Istanbul also has a 25-metre heated swimming pool in the Spa and Wellness Centre. Surrounded by Marmara columns with overhead dome lighting – designed to reflect off the pool’s surface like rows of evil eye symbols.
The Spa offers everything from traditional hammam scrubs to aromatherapy massage on top of face and body treatments, so you’ll be spoiled for choice. Hotel guests also can access the spa facilities during their stay, which include a dry sauna, steam room, rain showers and relaxation rooms.
LUXE tip: The Serene Hammam combines traditional Turkish hammam with personalised Ayurvedic aromatherapy that promises glowing and radiant baby skin after the exfoliation, not to mention a calm and peaceful state of mind.
For more active pursuits, the hotel’s 24-hour gym is fully equipped with TechnoGym cardio and weight-training equipment so you can get a proper workout. Look out for special classes, workshops and activities – we’re told that yoga and tai chi classes are often held outdoors by the Bosphorus when the weather is nice.
Verdict
As you can probably tell, we didn’t spend much time outside of The Peninsula Istanbul during our stay (and can you blame us?). With so much to do (and eat), this masterpiece of a luxury hotel has it all – making it as much of a destination as Istanbul itself.
That said, be sure to extend your stay so that you can experience both the city and the hotel properly without feeling rushed, as this is one hotel that you will probably never want to leave. We know the feeling…
Learn more at peninsula.com
Intrigued? Get more tips from the LUXE Istanbul guide:
