Last month, Shangri-La became the first Asian hospitality brand to arrive in buzzing Istanbul. The Shangri-La Bosphorus commands an enviable location between the famous Dolmabahce Palace and the Naval Museum in the Besiktas district on the Turkish city’s European shore.
Of the hotel’s 169 rooms and 17 suites (rooms have a 453-square-foot minimum), 60 percent have panoramic views of the Strait. The seven silhouettes of Istanbul are also visible from the rooms. Shangri-La’s first hotel in Turkey is housed on the site of a historic tobacco warehouse; hence the construction has re-created the original façade, building six of the hotel’s 13 stories underground.
The Shangri-La aims to raise the stakes with its superlative service standards (think welcome tea served in-room, fruit basket replenished daily, pillow menu, Bulgari Green Tea bath amenities, complimentary Internet and Nespresso coffee machines).
Other tempting distractions in-house include CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, and a health club with an indoor swimming pool. Foodies will flip over the gourmet Cantonese cuisine at Shang Palace, the brand’s trademark.
Gourmands must try IST TOO, the hotel’s specialty restaurant. We love the décor (think rose gold floor lamps and spherical ceiling pendants). The menu is full of all-day delectables including Japanese, Southeast Asian, Mediterranean and Turkish fare. Ask about the semi-private dining enclaves which are carved out by timber portals.
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| The Shangri-La Bosphorus in Istanbul is set on a stunning site. |
Tip: Besides the suites, the Grand Premier Bosphorus Rooms are sought-after because of their private terraces accessed through floor-to-ceiling windows. The ultimate indulgence is the Shangri-La Suite, which has three terraces overlooking the old city of Sultanahmet, Asian shore of Anatolia and the Bosphorus Bridge.
Reach out to Director of Sales & Marketing Stanley Tan ([email protected]) for your VIP reservations.