tripgirl

Hi all,

We are currently booked for the Four Seasons in Sultanahmet for our 6 night stay in Istanbul this summer. The Four seasons has offered us that we can split our stay between the Sultanahmet property and the Bosphorus property; we'd start out in Sultanahmet.

This sounds great to me: we get our Four Seasons, but also get to live in two parts of the city. We love the idea of sprawling pool at the Bosphorus.

thoughts?

They will move everything for us and have everything laid out the way we wish.

Thanks a mil...

tripgirl

TTT

Marija

Sounds good to me. In three days you can easily cover the high points of Sultanahmet and then check out the modern city and the Bosphorus. We liked the Four Seasons Sultanahmet, though that was a while ago and the Bosphorus property wasn't around. If you get a chance, see the performance of the whirling dervishes. The boat trip on the Bosphorus is enjoyable too. On the remote chance that you get a stomach bug go immediately to a pharmacy. They have some incredible stuff that targets local nasties.

ThinGorjus

Actually, I would rather stay the entire time at the Four Seasons on the Bosphorus because I really don't like Sultanahmet.

If you can afford to stay at the FS, you can certainly afford to take a taxi from your hotel over to Sultanahmet to see the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palas, etc. A taxi will probably run you less than 10 bucks each way.

There is more nightlife, restaurants, high-end shopping near the FS on the Bosphorus. Ortakoy is the place to go at night.

Thin

otherchelebi

Thin is correct that there is nothing going on at night at the Sultanahmet Four Seasons.

Another means of transportation for you would be rhe IDO water taxi. reserving 2-6 hours before will do the trick.
You can go to Eminonu (spice bazaar and galata bridge, etc. from the Four Seasons Bosphorus pier and come the same way.

you can also go to the supper clubs, Reina or Sortie, past Ortakoy and land on their piers. (check my report on the water taxi)

Your one issue may be if Four seasons will not give you a sea view room. You should definitely check that.

if it is a street view room, it may be a toss-up, with the water taxi being put to use at night because the traffic from Besiktas to Bebek on Summer nights is impossible to tackle.

tripgirl

Thanks all, we are all set with transport and have our itinerary all set.

Just needed to know what you htink about the split in hotels.

Thanks again!

elaine

I would not waste a minute of precious vacation time changing hotels if I can help it, even if the hotel eases the way for me.
It still takes time to pack, check in, and check out.
If you like the idea of relaxing on the Bosphorus, then arrange that hotel, and use the transport suggestions above. Great restaurants at Ortakoy, and not the touristy lures of Sultanahmet.

travelhorizons

I think it's a good plan you suggest. Traffic in Istanbul is horrendous, and the cost and TIME of taking a taxi to the old city doesn't make sense. Are you getting Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities with your stay (room upgrade if available, complimentary Full American Breakfast daily, and a $85 lunch credit one time at each hotel!).

ThinGorjus

It never took us more than 15 minutes by taxi to get from the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul to Sultanahmet.

Cost?? 20 bucks?? Really?? That concerns you??

I tip the valet at Neiman Marcus more than that to park my car at KOP.

Thin

travelhorizons

RC Istanbul and FS Bosphorus are in two completely different locations...

tripgirl

The FS Sultanahment takes care of packing us, moving us and putting everything into the new room; we'll be out sightseeing when all this is going on.

I like the idea of visiting 2 diff locations in Istanbul.

Travelhorizons: yes we are!

ThinGorjus

>The FS Sultanahment takes care of packing us, moving us and putting everything into the new room; we'll be out sightseeing when all this is going on.<

Why didn't you tell us that before wasting our time????

I sometimes don't know why I even bother.

Thin

otherchelebi

Thin, actually she did tell it on her first post.

Maybe you should bother to read more carefully.

I do this rather often also, but do not get nasty, just feel that way.

ThinGorjus

>Thin, actually she did tell it on her first post.<

Yes, you are correct.

I apologise.

Thin