The Raffles Istanbul Hotel is a luxury hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, Turkey. The hotel opened its doors in September, 2012 and is owned and operated by Swiss hotel management company, Hotel Raffaels AG. It provides 252 guestrooms including 44 luxury suites covering 20,000 sqft with views of either the Bosphorus or the lush gardens. It also has six meeting rooms for up to 280 people, two restaurants , a spa and fitness center and a cobblestone courtyard with fountains. The hotel also offers its guests personal butlers to assist them with their needs during their stay at the hotel. As most hotels in this category, it offers many amenities such as 24-hour room service; concierge services; valet car parking; babysitting service; dry cleaning services; indoor pool and spa facilities; steam bath; sauna; gymnasium and hair salon.
Awards and Recognition
The Raffles Istanbul Hotel was voted as the best luxury hotel in Turkey by the readers of the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. The hotel also received the “Visit Turkey” Excellence Award for being the best tourist facility in the country. The hotel achieved an average score of 9.3 on Booking.com’s guest review scale and also a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award as the top-rated luxury hotel in Istanbul.
Best season to visit
The best time to visit Istanbul is from May to October. It is during these months that you will experience the most pleasant weather. It is neither too hot nor too cold. If you are visiting during this time, make sure that you book your hotel in advance to avoid any last-minute disappointments. After the harsh winter months, the city comes alive again with a brimming energy and a surge of tourists. The weather is warm, the city is decorated with flowers, and the hotels are fully booked. Make sure to book your hotel in Istanbul as early as possible if you want to enjoy this time.
Rooms & Services Available
Bosphorus Residence
5 maximum amount
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Bosphorus Residence is the place you've been seeking, especially if you're seeking unrivalled panoramic views of the Bosphorus and both continents from the 23rd floor!
Raffles Club access
24/7 room service
Raffles Butler service
Access to Raffles Spa, Raffles Fitness and swimming pools
Valet service
Deep cleaning in the residence
Extra tea and coffee package
Laundry services
Babysitting
Grocery shopping service
Pet sitting
Car wash service
Mini bar
Bosphorus Suite
3 maximum amount
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The Bosphorus, dividing Europe and Asia, can be viewed in its entirety from the living room, study, separate bedroom, and spacious marble bathroom in the Bosphorus Suite, a magical sanctuary.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Open front private terrace
Floor to ceiling windows
Dressing room
Iron and ironing board on request
Tea and coffee unit
Refreshment mineral water
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Continents Suite
5 maximum amount
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These individual terraces, positioned on the 19th and 20th levels, are 224 square metres in size; they include a living room, dining room, library, and bedroom. When you walk into your terrace, you will see Thrace on one side, Anatolia on the other side, and the Bosphorus in the middle, all three of which are visible.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Bosphorus view from every room
Furnished private terrace
Floor to ceiling windows
Dressing room
Iron and ironing board on request
Refreshment mineral water
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Deluxe Room
3 maximum amount
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Deluxe Rooms are a comfortable sanctuary where traditional Turkish designs intersect with 21st century innovation. You can find everything you require and seek peace in this safe haven.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Furnished personal terrace
Floor to ceiling windows
Dressing room
Iron and ironing board on request
Tea and coffee unit
Refreshment mineral water
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Connecting room option
Horizon Residence
3 maximum amount
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The 24th and 27th floors of Horizon Residences are like dazzling jewels, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows surrounding the open-plan kitchen and living room allowing uninterrupted views of the Bosphorus. At night, the lights that light up the Bosphorus Bridge in stripes are distributed to both continents, creating a spectacular scene.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Wooden floors and hand-woven plush carpets
Fully equipped kitchen with Gaggenau appliances and other electronics
Floor to ceiling windows
Furnished personal terrace
Bosphorus view from every room
Feather bedding and 100% cotton sheets
spacious wardrobe
Separate laundry room
Special treats
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Premier Room
3 maximum amount
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With Premier Rooms, you can enjoy large and spacious spaces, state-of-the-art amenities, and other luxury features. The room creates a warm and airy atmosphere with sunlight filtering through the glass. The walls, ceilings, and handcrafted carpets are decorated with contemporary renditions of traditional Turkish motifs.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Furnished personal terrace
Floor to ceiling windows
Iron and ironing board on request
Tea and coffee unit
Refreshment mineral water
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Raffles Suite
6 maximum amount
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Raffles Suite is a unique apartment located on the 21st floor and tailored for our most esteemed visitors. The living room is outfitted with a marble floor, a grand piano, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer stunning views of both the Bosphorus and the continents on its two sides.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Bosphorus view from every room
Grand piano
Furnished personal terrace (86 m2 / 926 ft2)
Floor to ceiling windows
Iron and ironing board on request
Refreshment mineral water
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Skyline Residence
3 maximum amount
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Raffles Istanbul offers you a luxurious vantage point from which to admire the skyline and the sights of Istanbul from the 22nd to the 27th floors. Bring the light and a stunning view into your living space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Wooden floors and hand-woven plush carpets
Fully equipped kitchen with Gaggenau appliances and other electronics
Floor to ceiling windows
Furnished personal terrace
City or luxury store view
Feather bedding and 100% cotton sheets
Separate laundry room
Special treats
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Urban Suite
3 maximum amount
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Raffles Club access provides many benefits to frequent couples or families staying at Urban Suite, where modern, luxurious spaces are flooded with natural light.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Bosphorus, outdoor pool or luxury store views from every room
Floor to ceiling windows
Iron and ironing board on request
Tea and coffee unit
Refreshment mineral water
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Vista Residence
3 maximum amount
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The Vista Residence features all the amenities of a 5-star hotel suite, in addition to a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, a large dining table, and a separate laundry room, if you need one.
ALLSAFE cleaning and precautionary standards
Open plan architecture in the living room, dining room and kitchen
Wooden floors and hand-woven plush carpets
Fully equipped kitchen with Gaggenau appliances and other electronics
Floor to ceiling windows
Furnished personal terrace
City view and partial Bosphorus view
Feather bedding and 100% cotton sheets
Special treats
Baby cot or extra bed on request
Amenities
The hotel offers a wide range of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Some of the amenities offered include valet car parking, dry cleaning services, indoor pool, spa and health club, steam bath, sauna, gymnasium and hair salon. The hotel also has a variety of restaurants to choose from. They serve a wide range of cuisines from all over the world. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast, a light lunch, or a three-course dinner in one of their restaurants.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Good - One of the things that we loved about this hotel is the fact that it is a very short distance from Taksim Square. This makes it a great place to stay if you want to be close to the city’s attractions.
The Bad - The rooms are small, and the service is not that great. Another thing to keep in mind is that the hotel is on the banks of the Bosphorus, so the view from some of the rooms is not that great due to the presence of the Bosphorus cruise ships.
The Ugly - This hotel is not cheap and might not be affordable for many tourists. It is also not a good choice for families as it does not have many facilities for children.
Location
The Raffles Istanbul Hotel is located in Beyoglu, the city’s central business and entertainment district on the European shore of the Bosphorus. The hotel is only a few minutes’ walk away from Taksim Square, which is the heart of Istanbul. It is also very close to shopping centres and a variety of restaurants. The hotel is near the Ataturk Airport, making it an ideal place to stay if you are visiting Istanbul on a business trip.
Conclusion
This hotel is one of the best places to stay in Istanbul. It offers great amenities and a lovely ambience that will make your stay memorable. However, it is not a cheap hotel, and it is best suited to business travellers who can afford to splurge on a comfortable stay while visiting Istanbul. If you want to experience what it is like to stay at one of the best hotels in Istanbul, then the Raffles Istanbul Hotel is your best bet.
