Notes on our Visit to Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus in Istanbul

This month, we had the pleasure of visiting the newest luxury property in Istanbul, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus.

We were greeted graciously by Messrs. Ünal Uran, Director of Sales, and Hasan Karadağ, Area Sales Manager. No business in Turkey can be conducted without a cup of Turkish coffee or tea, so that is how we started our conversation and the tour of this exceptional property!

True to it’s brand, the hotel exudes quality and understated luxury, and yet guests feel as if they are at their own home. With incredibly warm staff and comfort at every turn, the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus truly provides residential living.

The hotel is located right on the Bosphorus Straits, north of Four Seasons Bosphorus and the Cirağan Palace Kempinski, meaning it is slightly farther away from the historic old town that is centered around Sultanahmet. It has spectacular views of the Bosphorus (probably the closest hotel to the water!). It is surrounded by two public parks, pedestrian walkways, and the protected Naile Sultan pine grove, which serves as a ‘distant garden’.

Tour Idea from Our Experts: With such a spectacular location, it would be fun for us to arrange for a cruise on a private yacht which can pick up and drop off guests from the hotel’s own pier 🙂

The rooms are absolutely beautiful, with every detail well thought out. Even their lowest category room is a well appointed Deluxe Room measuring 484 sq. feet. Every room has a wonderful view of the gardens, the pools, or the Bosphorus.

The hotel has three swimming pools – one of which is a large indoor pool – Turkish Baths, and a very impressive spa and fitness center with great wellness programs that Mandarin Oriental hotels are known for.

The world-renowned Novikov is the signature restaurant of the hotel, which also offers a stunning bar, a lobby lounge with waterfront terrace, and a pool bar in a garden oasis. These wonderful eateries and bars will surely be in contention to be among the city’s most popular ‘watering holes’.

There is a great selection of event and meeting spaces, starting with the grand ballroom and extending to two other ballrooms – The Bosphorus Terrace and The Garden Ballroom – as well as 6 additional meetings rooms of various sizes. The Orient Express room is another exclusive alternative for private meetings and events, inspired by the legendary Orient Express train.

This premium hotel comes at a premium price; but, once you see it, you will agree with us that Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus is worth every penny that is spent!

For more information, or help with hotel or other arrangements in Istanbul or beyond, please contact us.

Photos Courtesy of Engin Kadaster, Turkey At Its Best