Hi!

I'm planning a trip to Turkey in December, and I've only started to research on what to do there. I found what I think is a great rate ($180) at the Four Seasons in Istanbul, but I'm having a hard time finding good reviews / opinions on the hotel.

Has anyone stayed there? If so, how was it? Service? Rooms? Location? Restaurants?

Thanks in advance!

I read a trip report on this site about Istanbul where someone stayed here. Put in Four Seasons in the Turkey site and I think you will find it.

I was lusting to stay there, but it was way out of my price range. What a fantastic price you found. I'd go for it in a minute. Great location, tons of atmosphere, and a super place from everything I've ever heard or read.

Jean - just saw on CNN that Travel Magazine rated this hotel's restaurant as the best hotel restaurant in the world! We stayed right next door at the Seven Hills Hotel. If you have a chance go to the roof top terrace at the 7 Hills in the evening. The food is not spectacular, but the view is! Might be closed in December. While we were sipping some wine - the Blue Mosque was suddenly lit up with a "Son et Lumierre" show - truely spectacular. Needless to say the location is ideal for the major sites and the price is about 1/2 of what we were quoted for September. Enjoy your stay in this truely magical city!

Hi
I was in Istanbul 3 yrs. ago. Did not stay at the Four Seasons but know where it is. A wonderful looking building in a great location. There is also a very good restaurant directly across the street from the entrance that serves very good Turkish food. My wife and I ate there two times. The 4 Seasons is in the center of the historic district. I would consider it if I went back to Istanbul again.
alan

Where did you find such a great rate for the Four Seasons, may we know?

The building is a former prison, naturally renovated to be one of the best in Istanbul.Location is ideal. However ,I have always preferred the Ciragan Palace Kempinski due to it being directly on the Bosporhus with fantastic views, excelent restaurants and suites.
The price quoted is great but may be for an inside room with no view. Still a good bargain

Hi Jean_Valjean

I don't know how did you get this price? Is it ROOM price or Per Person in Double room price?

Thanks

Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]

Hi Jean_Valjean,
First of all what a great rate you have !

Here are some info on Four Seasons Istanbul ;

Choosen by Conde Nast Traveller readers,
best european hotel, gold list since its first year. it has also been awarded as best hotel in europe....

Four Seasons Hotel, 95.4 overall
www.fourseasons.com/istanbul
90-212-638-82-00
"Sandwiched between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia," this former prison has "four wings surrounding a courtyard and a corner tower." "When you're out," staff "magically freshen" "sleek rooms that have a distinct Turkish flavor": "If you move your slippers before going to dinner, they're replaced when you return." There's "outstanding regional fare at Seasons Restaurant," and "cocktails on the roof are a must": "Watch as the city responds to the call to prayer."
$$$; 65 rooms; wheelchair-accessible

Conde Nast / Concierge

TOP 50 EUROPEAN HOTELS

Boyer Les Crayères, Reims 96.0

Four Seasons Hotel, Istanbul 95.4

Four Seasons Hotel, Milan 92.9

Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Italy 92.9

it was from Conde Nast Traveller 2002

TOP 50 EUROPEAN HOTELS


Four Seasons Hotel, Istanbul 94.9
Four Seasons Hotel, Berlin 91.5
Hotel Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy 90.6
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris 90.0

year 2001

From article ; a sea odyssey
Most travelers about to embark on a gulet begin with a few days in Istanbul before flying down to their port of departure. In Istanbul, the Four Seasons is undoubtedly one of the world's most luxurious former prisons (212-638-8200; fshr.com; doubles, $320-$550)

Its a beautiful hotel and I would not think another second for 180 Usd

all the best

Murat
[email protected]

We stayed at the Four Seasons in Istanbul a year ago in September. Lovely hotel, wonderful staff, delicious "treats" brought to your room each night. The concierge gave us excellent dining recommendations. Once you get there, look at the room they've given you and see if you can't get an upgrade for a small increase in rate. We upgraded from a "superior" to a "deluxe" for little money and stayed in a MUCH nicer room. The location is unbeatable. Breakfast was absurdly expensive so we would go around to one of the cafes on the next block and have a "standard" Tukish breakfast for a couple of dollars (hard boiled eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, bread).

I'll definitely second staying at the Four Seasons..we did so last year and it was wonderful in every way and has, as I think someone posted already, once again made the top of this year's Conde Nast "best" list" although the list is very subjective. But we found the location, service, rooms, etc., absolutely wonderful.
Now, if you're one of these Fodorite "hotel snobs" who think they just cannot be caught dead in a "chain" hotel then look elsewhere. But if you're as smart as you sound you'll ignore all that BS, especially at that rate. Enjoy Istanbul.

And just think. How many people do you know who can say they spent a night in a Turkish prison??

Wow!

Thanks a lot for all your responses!

I found the rate in Expedia! The hotel's website had a slightly more expensive rate ($200), but if the hotel is all that (top hotel in Europe, etc), even that sounds a cheap price.

Thanks again, and I'll get back to you in January with a report. I'm really excited about this trip!