"Sitting on the lip of land right where the Bosphorus meets the Golden Horn estuary, The Peninsula boasts genuinely jaw-dropping views of the architectural marvels that dot the opposite shore: the gleaming domes of the Topkapi Palace, the elegant spires of the Hagia Sophia, and the glittering lights of the bazaars that sprawl across the hillside of the Eminönü district, visible from every one of the hotel’s floors and buildings. Spread across four separate edifices—three of which date to the early 19th century, and serve as a history lesson in architectural styles ranging from Art Nouveau to Arts and Crafts; a fourth was constructed specifically for The Peninsula—and nestled among gardens bursting with magnolia and pomegranate trees designed by Swiss landscape architect Enzo Enea, it’s a peaceful enclave right in the beating heart of the city." - Liam Hess
