Zorlu Istanbul, Turkey
Opened
2014
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Luxe Wellness DesignOutside the door
The house
AccorGilded skyline tower
The tower brings imperial scale into modern Istanbul. Monumental sculptures rise through the lobby, and evenings centre on cocktails in the Long Bar.
“Occupying the seventh to 21st floors of the east tower, the 181-room Raffles has the feel of a modern pasha’s digs.”
What it’s good at
Exceptional
Dedicated 24-hour butlers attend every room, each with a private balcony overlooking the Bosphorus.
Remarkable
A three-thousand-square-meter spa with three marble hammams plus indoor and rooftop pools.
Notable
Byzantine-inspired gold mosaics and commissioned Turkish art installations fill the soaring public spaces.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Forbes Five-Star
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Turkey
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in Wallpaper* and AFAR.
Raffles Istanbul makes its home in a modern building, and is a symbol of this great city’s contemporary life and aesthetic.
“The hotel does go big, though—expect vast, gilded public spaces adorned with massive chandeliers, mosaics, and eye-catching pieces from the hotel’s impressive art collection.”
“The Raffles Istanbul, connected to the high-end retail hub of the Zorlu Center, beautifully exemplifies the contrasts.”
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The tower connects directly to Zorlu Center and its performing arts hall. Downstairs, the metro reaches Beyoglu and Sultanahmet in a few stops.
The rooms
Custom headboard murals evoke the chandeliers of Hagia Sophia. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto private balconies.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
A heated indoor lap pool sits beneath mirrored suspended discs, and an open-air pool tops the sixth-floor terrace.
The hammams
Three marble hammams hold heated stone slabs for traditional soap scrubs, and VIP suites include personal whirlpool tubs.
The spa and gym
Nine treatment suites use Turkish rose oils, and the 24-hour gym keeps kettlebells under a crystal chandelier.
Dogs stay too.
At the table
İsokyo prepares Pan-Asian dinners beside an open show kitchen, and Lavinia Lounge serves afternoon tea under soaring ceilings.
The light and airy interiors, designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, create the feeling of a calm urban oasis, while the spacious public areas ooze luxury.
Good to know
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Raffles Istanbul
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Istanbul
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.