"Life in this city revolves around the Bosphorus, so naturally the hotel scene does too. Already, the Peninsula in the three-year-old mixed-use Galataport cruise terminal has become one of Istanbul’s hot spots, thanks to the rooftop restaurant Gallada, overseen by Fatih Tutak—Turkey’s only chef with two Michelin stars. Architect Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu has transformed four adjoining buildings into a sleek mash-up of past and present: The massive Bauhaus-era Lobby restaurant was once the port’s passenger terminal, while a newly constructed wing is home to large light-filled suites overlooking the river. Each of the 177 rooms is filled with the usual hallmarks and comforts of a Peninsula—monochrome palettes, thick Tai Ping carpets, and state-of-the-art technology—but it’s the spa where the brand’s ethos shines brightest. There’s an 82-foot-long indoor swimming pool as well as eight treatment rooms and a gorgeous sauna. This is Istanbul, however, which means the spa reaches its pinnacle with a purpose-built hammam—a shimmering, marble-lined space to rival the most established baths in the city. From $760. —Lale Arikoglu" - CNT Editors
