Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The Conrad hotel is one of the major international hotels in Istanbul. A place away from the hustle and bustle of the old town, but close to the Bosphore, the Ortaköy and the Dolmabahçe Palace.
Hilton Conrad - © Marco Toninelli / EASYVOYAGE
Hilton Conrad - © Marco Toninelli / EASYVOYAGE
The Conrad hotel is located in the new town, in the highlands of Besiktas, near Yildiz Park and the Bosphorus. The airport is 14 miles from the hotel (allow half an hour by taxi for the transfer). To reach the old town by taxi will take you 15 minutes.
The 592 standard rooms all have the comfort that you would expect from a hotel of this class: air-conditioning, a direct telephone with Internet line, free safe, mini-bar, room-service 24 hours with a menu of main dishes. The only fault of the rooms is the lack of a balcony which is quite frustrating when you think of the view it could have. The bathrooms have a shower, bathtub, hair-dryer and make-up mirror. The toilets are separated.
Built in 1992, the Conrad hotel is a large modern 14-storey building whose white curves are a landmark. The large lobby is decorated with a central fountain and an imposing stairway. Nearby is the Café Monet, a bar-lounge where drinks and pastries are served. The top floor of the building has a bar with superb panoramic view over the Bosphorus and, beyond that, the Sultanahmet. On the sports side, the hotel has 2 tennis courts. On an all-purpose sports grounds you will be able to practise volley or basket.
The Conrad offers several possibilities. If you wish to have a gastronomic evening, go to Prego, the Italian restaurant (open only in the evening) or to Monet, the Mediterranean restaurant (open for all three meals). From lunchtime to midnight the Conrad opens a panoramic snack bar, located on the hotel's top floor. For nibbles during the day, you can also enjoy some pastries in the Pâtisserie Monet, open from 6 am to 9 pm.
The Conrad hotel has a small fitness centre with an indoor pool, a sauna, a steam bath, massages and a room for aerobics and yoga. The fitness room is quite modern but has only 15 machines, which is very few given the maximum capacity of the hotel! Complete renovated in June 2006: the rooms were redone completely with minimalist decor, Wifi...
massage, (paying), beauty salon, sauna, hammam, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath, wellness
tennis, gym, basketball, mountain bike, fitness, sports
An unpretentious hotel, friendly and comfortable, mainly visited by French people, near the main historical sites in Istanbul.
The Hotel Hilton in Istanbul offers all the standard comfort of large business hotels, but this place is also suitable for tourists and anyone who wants high-quality services. It is rare in Istanbul to find a hotel with a large landscaped garden.
Located close to the business quarter and the best bars and nightclubs in Istanbul, the Intercontinental Ceylan offers all the services of a top international hotel. A practical and comfortable place with no unpleasant surprises.
Strange mixture! The Divan offers modernism and the services of a large hotel in a slightly 70's atmosphere. A functional, comfortable address a few minutes' walk from Taksim Square.
Like the phoenix, the Çiragan Palade has risen from the ashes to produce a high-ranking and very charming hotel. An exceptional location by the Bosphorus in order to stay in the same place where sultans lived.
This is a prestigious hotel offering the services of large European hotels combined with oriental charm. The setting is incredibly romantic, making the Ciragan Palace an ideal location for any honeymoon and all types of celebration. It is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Istanbul.
Located in the lively area of Aksaray, Ant hotel is close to the city's main historical monuments. It is also very conveniently located for public transport.
The fact that nothing about this hotel really grabs your attention from the outside could persuade you to simply walk on by, but that would be a mistake, because it conceals an interior that is sure to leave an impression.
Whether you find Les Ottomans exquisite, eccentric, dreamlike, or simply odd, it is unlikely to leave you indifferent. Opened in 2007 as a boutique hotel, it is full of decorative items and features that leave little empty space and give the place a cosy feel.
An intimate, original hotel designed according to the exact wishes of the current owner, it is perfect for couples looking for a special place for a break and anyone who likes staying in cocoon-like settings.
As its name indicates, the Sumahan on the Water is a little world on the water. Inside, it displays a balance of lines and shapes that create a modern style and is never cold. This is a bit of a surprise given the exterior aspect of the building, which management wanted to keep as nondescript as possible.
This effort to go unnoticed speaks of the attention afforded to the guests, in terms of welcome, service, and cuisine. The Sumahan blends luxury and attention to detail together with know-how, efficiency, good taste, and quality.
It also commands one of the finest views of the Bosphorus there is. It really is in a league of its own.
This is a prestigious hotel offering the services of large European hotels combined with oriental charm. The setting is incredibly romantic, making the Ciragan Palace an ideal location for any honeymoon and all types of celebration. It is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Istanbul.
The Four Seasons is indisputably the most charming place in Istanbul. Nothing is left to chance in this old restored prison: neither decor, nor service. An excellent place to enjoy top-class service in the heart of one of the most beautiful historical sites in the old town.
Like the phoenix, the Çiragan Palade has risen from the ashes to produce a high-ranking and very charming hotel. An exceptional location by the Bosphorus in order to stay in the same place where sultans lived.
This luxury hotel is of a very good standing. This hotel is made for those seeking excellent comfort as well as numerous and impeccable services. Its only downside is the distant location.
An elegant, quality international hotel for business people and holidaymakers. Great food too.
The Hotel Hilton in Istanbul offers all the standard comfort of large business hotels, but this place is also suitable for tourists and anyone who wants high-quality services. It is rare in Istanbul to find a hotel with a large landscaped garden.
Located close to the business quarter and the best bars and nightclubs in Istanbul, the Intercontinental Ceylan offers all the services of a top international hotel. A practical and comfortable place with no unpleasant surprises.