Istanbul, TurkeyBesiktas
Swissôtel The Bosphorus - Istanbul
Wooded parkland resort
Besiktas Istanbul, Turkey
Renovated
2016
Price
$$$
Rated for
Wellness Resort SocialOutside the door
The house
AccorWooded parkland resort
Mature trees and jogging trails cover the hillside grounds, giving this city stay the breadth of a resort above the Bosphorus.
What it’s good at
Notable
Two Turkish hammams and indoor lap swimming anchor the 4,000-square-meter garden spa.
Notable
Seventeen acres of former palace gardens shelter swimming pools and three tennis courts.
What they say
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
This "grand hotel" on a wooded hilltop sits on the gardens of Dolmabahçe Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman sultans.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Dolmabahçe Palace sits five minutes down the hill, and ferries depart from nearby Beşiktaş docks across the strait.
The rooms
Bedrooms use bleached wood and muted colors, with views looking out over the gardens or the Bosphorus.
The pool and gym
Bring a swimsuit.
A curved outdoor swimming pool spreads across the garden terrace, and the fitness center looks onto an indoor lap pool.
The hammams and saunas
Carved marble basins and heated stone platforms anchor two Turkish hammams, set alongside Finnish and bio saunas.
The spa
Fourteen treatment rooms host alpine bodywork using organic Swiss essential oils, beside a relaxation room lit by fiber-optic starlight.
Restaurant
Chalet & Chalet Garden
An authentic 120-year-old wooden chalet imported from Switzerland serves hot raclette and fondue among the garden trees.
At the table
Sabrosa looks out over the Bosphorus through towering glass walls, and 16 ROOF pours evening drinks on the open terrace.
How it began
Set within imperial palace grounds on a Maçka hillside, the modern hotel opened its doors in 1991.
Istanbul
More like this
Kocatas Mansions Istanbul
“Ottoman mansion oasis”
Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul
“Bosphorus waterfront showpiece”
Address Istanbul
“Anatolian high-rise cocoon”
Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus
“Hilltop Bosphorus beacon”
Manna Boutique Hotels
“Soundproofed boutique quarters”
YOTEL Istanbul Airport (Landside)
“Modular transit cabins”
YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport (Airside)
“Airside transit cabins”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
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.