Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet

"For a historic stay The Four Seasons has not one but two palatial properties in Istanbul, on either side of the Golden Horn. Take your pick—both are glorious, their settings knock-out. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, created out of an Ottoman Palace, does breezy waterside glam to a T, and in summer, it’s hard to imagine a lovelier place to be than its terrace, all red and white striped cabanas between the blues of pool and sea. Over in Istanbul’s ancient heart, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet has a weightier romance about it. The historic building was once a prison which housed the dissident literati in the Ottoman era; now highly polished and deeply luxurious, its arresting facade painted a happy yellow, it’s hard to imagine ever wanting to escape. Modern Anatolian dishes are beautifully presented in the jasmine-scented courtyard garden. Rooms are generous; kilims, neoclassical furniture, and woven Turkish textiles replace the usual 4S creamy-classic palette. Its neighbors are the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia, whose minarets and domes tower over the hotel as though keeping a saintly eye on the incumbents."

"The majestic Old City of Istanbul is at your doorstep when staying at this historic three-story property. A welcoming neoclassical façade makes it hard to imagine that this Four Seasons occupies what was once, for most of the 20th century, a prison. All remnants of that past have been scrubbed, replaced with terraced suites adorned in Ottoman and contemporary Turkish motifs. Whichever room you call your own, you’ll be treated to spectacular views — either of the tranquil, meticulously landscaped gardens backdropped by Marmara Sea, or an unfettered vantage of the iconic Hagia Sophia. And it’s all enhanced by world-class dining and peerless hospitality." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"A perennial favorite, this regal hotel in Istanbul’s Old City recently unveiled a top-to-bottom refurbishment that preserved its historic neoclassical architecture while also bringing a host of fresh offerings. Updates include a magnificent redesign of the 65 rooms and suites. Guests can admire the Turkish contemporary and Ottoman period art and handwoven Turkish Kilim textiles on display throughout the hotel. A pastry shop in the lobby offers sweet Turkish delicacies, as well as an exquisite afternoon tea service, and a landscaped courtyard has the new restaurant Avlu. The newly constructed Kurna Spa is a must-visit, with regular treatment rooms and two hammam rooms, creating a true oasis amid the bustle of the neighborhood. As another reader described it, the hotel is simply “perfect.”" - Travel + Leisure Editors

"Four Seasons Sultanahmet housed in the saffron-yellow quarters of an Ottoman-built former jail. After a two-year closure, the 65-room hotel reopened in summer 2022: refreshed and more gracious than ever." - Anya von Bremzen

"Once Istanbul ’s notorious prison, a lavish conversion in 1996 transformed this site, set amid the squiggle of lanes behind the colossal competing domes of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, into the city’s landmark Four Seasons Sultanahmet. Built in 1918, the hotel’s ornate neoclassical architecture has been finely restored, while the enclosed exercise yard is now a courtyard garden where guests can escape the hustle of the historic quarter. Classically designed rooms are awash with light blue and green hues and subtly scattered Turkish textiles and motifs. On a hot summer’s day, cool off with cocktails overlooking the old city’s minarets on the rooftop A’Ya Lounge. Eagle-eyed history fans can hunt for the 1938 graffiti left by a former inmate on a pillar near the courtyard. Being neighbors with theHagia Sophiahas extra benefits. The Four Seasons’ Extraordinary Experiences service offers a privileged chance to explore Emperor Justinian’s greatest achievement without the crowds, on an after-dark tour of the Hagia Sophia."