Mandarin Oriental Will Open Luxurious Waterfront Hotel On The Bosphorus In Istanbul

 Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed an agreement to manage a luxurious hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2016. With Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul will enjoy a prime waterfront location on the banks of the famed strait, in the area of Beşiktaş, one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods. Ideally located for leisure and business travellers, the hotel will be situated close to Istanbul’s financial district as well as many of the city’s famous historical sites such as the Dolmabahçe Palace and Barbarossa’s mausoleum.

The property will feature approximately 130 spacious guestrooms and suites, with expansive outdoor terraces designed to take full advantage the hotel’s panoramic vistas of the Bosphorus, the historic heart of the city and the surrounding green hills.

Designed to become one of the city’s most luxurious properties, the hotel will offer guests and local clientele a wide variety of innovative restaurants and bars with al fresco waterside dining available at many of the outlets. The hotel will also offer expansive banqueting facilities, including a spacious Ballroom and further function rooms ideal for stylish social and business events.

Setting a new standard for holistic wellbeing in the city, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental will offer a choice of deluxe VIP treatment suites, where guests can enjoy Mandarin Oriental’s award winning signature programmes and therapies as well as specifically developed treatments inspired by local traditions.

The Spa will also feature extensive beauty treatments, a Tea Lounge and generous heat and water areas. An indoor swimming pool, large fitness centre with top of the range equipment, as well as a meditation room, will further enhance the hotel’s leisure facilities.

The owner and developer of the project is Astaş Real Estate Investments and Tourism A.Ş, which is also developing Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, Turkey, currently scheduled to open in 2014.

Bosphorus Istanbul, Turkey

Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental said, “We look forward to introducing Mandarin Oriental’s renowned 21st century luxury with oriental charm to Istanbul. The spectacular location of Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul, underpinned by our Group’s core strengths of design and architecture, holistic spas, innovative dining and legendary service will position the hotel as the most luxurious in this exciting city. It will also perfectly complement our superb resort currently under development on the waterfront in Bodrum.”

“We are delighted to be working with Mandarin Oriental on creating what is set to be the most sophisticated hotel in Istanbul. Mandarin Oriental’s position as one of the world’s leading hotel operators, as well as the Group’s reputation for excellence, matches our vision for this truly stunning site on the banks of the Bosphorus, with its unique location between both Asia and Europe” said Vedat Aşci, Chairman of Astaş Real Estate Investments and Tourism A.Ş.

Straddled between Europe and Asia and steeped in history, Istanbul is considered one of the world’s most exciting destinations. Celebrated as a crossroad between East and West for centuries, the city, which was once known as Constantinople, served as the capital of the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire. Istanbul is Turkey’s financial and commercial centre and the city’s colourful history and culture, combined with its stunning setting on the Bosphorus, makes it a unique destination for international travellers.

Luxury hotel Shangri-La Bosphorus opens

Istanbul welcomes its newest luxury hotel this week with the opening of the Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul on 11 May. The opulent 186-room hotel is the second in Europe for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, which hails from the other city where East famously meets West, Hong Kong. Shangri-La brought its inimitable Asian "hospitality from the heart" to Paris in 2010 to rave reviews and now adds Istanbul to its growing list of international gateway cities.

Set on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait between the Dolmabahce Palace and Naval Museum, Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul overlooks the unfolding panorama of Istanbul's domes and minarets and the green hills of the city's Asian shores.  It is located on the site of a former tobacco warehouse from the 1930s. The warehouse's restored, six-storey Neo-Classical façade and two carefully preserved 150- and 350-year-old Sycamore trees in the courtyard give testament to the past.

Inside, the Shangri-La is a modern oasis. The hotel takes design cues from the glamorous Dolmabahce Palace with swathes of marble, glittering chandeliers and a mix of European, Asian and Turkish design. A grand staircase wends down the hotel's three-storey atrium, transporting guests from the lobby to the elegant ballrooms and other venues below.

Dazzling to behold, the dome-shaped atrium is lit by a natural skylight and massive Bohemian chandelier that rains crystals nearly two storeys.  Also decorating the atrium is  The Garden of Peach Blossoms, a stunning 18-metres-tall silk painting, which was commissioned for the hotel. The hotel showcases more than 1,000 pieces of European and Asian art. One masterpiece, located behind the reception desk, is an exquisite southern China lacquer craft carving depicting a Bosphorus water scene.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has opened its second hotel in Europe in Istanbul:
Shangri-La Bosphorus

The grand lobby flows into the Lobby Lounge, where classic European bespoke furniture and plush sofas are arranged to create intimate seating areas. Guests can relax to the sound of classical or jazz music and enjoy house-made pastries and more than 100 types of Chinese teas poured by the hotel's tea master.  The adjacent Le Bar is a jewel box set off by a stone wall and serves traditional cocktails and spirits, plus tapas and mezzes.

The hotel plays with both subtle and overt luxury. In guestrooms, the rich teal, crème and caramel colour scheme is elegant and soothing. The hotel's guestrooms are the most spacious in Istanbul (ranging from 42 to 60 square metres), and the majority offer dazzling Bosphorus views. The 186 rooms are outfitted with every amenity expected of a five-star hotel and provide Shangri-La's free high-speed broadband Internet.  Artists from the East and West were engaged to create unique pieces inspired by the Istanbul scenery for the guestrooms, and the bathrooms are decked in dramatic Turkish marble complete with heated floors and Bvlgari bath amenities.

Nearly all of the hotel's 17 suites have private terraces offering beautiful Bosphorus vistas. The ultimate indulgence is the Shangri-La Suite, which has three terraces overlooking the Old City, Asian shores and the Bosphorus Bridge.

On the same level as the lobby is the hotel's speciality restaurant, IST TOO. Set against the backdrop of a Bosphorus view, rose gold floor lamps and spherical ceiling pendants light the restaurant's wide expanse of Turkish marble and custom-made dark chocolate oak furnishings upholstered in hues of taupe, burnt orange and mineral blue. Semi-private dining enclaves are carved out by timber portals, while conker-coloured leather banquettes stretch along the wall seating those who prefer to be in the mix. Matching the vibrant design is an all-day dining menu of world cuisine, including Japanese, Southeast Asian, Mediterranean and Turkish. IST TOO is a feast for the eyes with a sushi bar; vast Wine Salon with full-height, glazed wine cabinets; a noodle station with a Chinese chef pulling noodles, and an open kitchen where chefs cook over the 12-metre grill.

One floor down from IST TOO is the hotel's signature Shang Palace restaurant, where chefs from China prepare delectable Chinese cuisine and carve Peking Duck tableside while the Kung Fu tea master pours tea. Inspired by the sculptural beauty of historical Chinese courtyard chambers, the restaurant unfolds into four contemporary dining chambers. Upon arrival, an inverted "pagoda" structure appears to float overhead. Facing the entrance, a series of curved walls composed of grey marble hand-crafted in shapes of traditional Chinese roof tiles provides drama and texture.

In the main Amber Chamber, curved banquettes and abundant bespoke glass wall lamps set off by full-height book timber shelves and antique gold metallic lattice screens create a sense of intimacy.  On the other side of the reception, the Lacquer Chamber's architectural panels glow with a deep glossy aubergine Chinese Lacquer. The intimate setting is offset against a dramatic wall of angled blocks of solid Arabescato Orobico marble.

The hotel also features CHI, a spa with eight of the most indulgent private spa suites in Istanbul offering Asian and Turkish treatments. The hotel's hammam facilities are extensive, catering to both private groups and individuals. Both the spa and hammam feature Turkish tiles, water features and abundant marble. A health club with sauna, Jacuzzi and steam rooms, and a heated indoor pool are also available to hotel guests.

For more information on Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, please visit www.shangri-la.com.
Rates at the hotel start from €550 excluding breakfast and 18 percent VAT.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world's premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages 80 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands, with a room inventory of over 32,000. Over four decades the group has established its brand hallmark of 'hospitality from the heart'. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and United Kingdom. 

Hotel Büyük Keban Voted #1 Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey by Expedia.com

Last month, Hotel Büyük Keban sold a record breaking 717 rooms online. The staggering number of online sales was officially recognized by one of the largest and most commonly used travel websites, Expedia.com. Hotel Büyük Keban was voted the top booked hotel in Istanbul based on the number of rooms sold and also came in fifth place for income level in March 2013.

“We couldn’t be happier,” says Hannan Uygur, proud owner of Hotel Büyük Keban. “Expedia separates Istanbul into three regions which include Europe, Asia and Old City. Last year in June we finished second place but last month we were voted the top producer which is a really difficult position to hold in such a competitive market.”

The majority of tourists that visit Istanbul are in town for the sightseeing which is done in the historical part of Istanbul in the Old City. The location of the hotel is very competitive because it is right in the heart of the Old City and it is easily accessible to all of the major tourist attractions. Hotel Büyük Keban completed its renovations in 2013 which have given the rooms, especially bathrooms, a completely new modern look and feel.

“We sold a grand total of seven hundred and seventeen rooms online in March 2013 which is a new record for us,” says Hannan. This year the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held in Istanbul from June 21-July 13 so we’re definitely hoping to set a new record in the upcoming months.”

Hotel Büyük Keban

Hotel Büyük Keban is a hotel in Istanbul's central Old City near some of Istanbul’s most majestic landmarks. The hotel’s amenities offer four star services for three star prices. First established in 1971, they have been in business for over 40 years. The hotel was also voted the best new partner of Expedia.com and Hotels.com in 2011 and is currently featured on Expedia’s list of preferred hotels.

Room prices at 3-Star Hotel Büyük Keban starts at 85.2 USD per night. For latest discounted rates, last minute promotions, deals and specials for this hotel, book online through Agoda.com.

Hotel Büyük Keban
Gencturk str.numb:47 Sehzadebasi, Old City Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey 34134
(See on map)

Shamana Resort and Spa Debuts in Bodrum Turkey May 2013

Aida Tourism, the chic & stylish Turkey Destination Management Group out of Istanbul with strong yachting ties in Bodrum, announces its first resort project. Situated on stunning Torba Bay, Shamana Hotel and Spa is the ultimate chic beach retreat.

Accommodations 
The resort features 31 suites, ranging from 50-125 square meters of indoor and outdoor space, as well as 2 beach cottages with access to the turquoise waters of Torba Bay. All suites and cottages present stunning, 180-degree views of the sea. Six different types of suites are available, all featuring oversized living spaces, terraces and bedrooms overlooking the Aegean Coast. King Moussollos Suites are made for family stays, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a whirlpool and butler service. Queen Artemisia Suites cater to honeymooners with whirlpools, butler service and 100 square meters of space. Princess Ada Suites (70 square meters) tout whirlpools and terraces, while the Lydia Rooms (50 square meters) offer an option of private garden or sea-view terrace. Alynda Suites (52 square meters) feature a whirlpool and terrace, while Karia Rooms have beautiful glass connecting doors.

Activities 
Tours of nearby cultural attractions can be arranged, including private diving with archaeologists to underwater heritage sites, exploring the ancient Halikarnas culture in Bodrum and a trip to Ephesus, the grave of the Virgin Mary. Sport fishing, surfing, snorkeling, sailing and sunset cruises on the Aegean are also offered. Trips to local vineyards, olive oil producers and food markets can be organized. Private dining, as well as special festivities for birthdays and weddings will be facilitated on request.

Shamana Resort and Spa Debuts in Bodrum Turkey May 2013

Dining 
Cafe de Oliva -- The casual restaurant serves Turkish wines alongside cuisine fusing Aegean and Mediterranean flavors.

Beach Club 
A beachfront cafe and bar that's perfect for cocktails and light snacks.

Vodka-Caviar Bar 
Lounge on comfortable couches and nibble on classic Turkish meze (appetizers) with wines, cocktails and champagnes.

Sisha Bar
Flavored tobacco prepared exclusively by onsite butler for full relaxation.

Spa & Fitness 
Wellness and relaxation are emphasized throughout the resort. Get fully pampered at our holistic healing center, where traditional Ottoman Hamam treatments meet Indonesian massage techniques. Enjoy a soothing spa experience in a room overlooking the sea and gardens. Private yoga and pilates sessions with our personal trainers will also enhance your stay.

Taskonaklar Boutique Hotel Announces Its New Blog

Tolga Akarcali, managing partner of the remarkable and unconventional vacation lodging “Taskonaklar Boutique hotel”, has now launched a blog to help travelers.

Hotel blogs are an exceptional channel to connect with tourists and holidaymakers. They enable people to share experiences, exchange information and receive feedback. Blogs are useful to both hotel employees and guests; the employees have plenty of knowledge to share about the travel destination and guests want to learn more about the place they visit.

“The main reason for starting this blog is to help people- tourists, travelers and local people to organize trips to the historical region Cappadocia”, stated Tolga Akarcali, managing partner of the Taskonaklar Boutique hotel. We have planned to combine blog posts about the towns of Cappadocia, tourist attractions, as well as general information that cover Cappadocia’s weather, restaurants, shops and open markets. The post does not aim to promote the hotel but to help people plan their trip”.

Our main focus is our hotel guests and travelers visiting the region of Cappadocia. “My hope is to enrich their trip to Cappadocia and to help them experience the best of its historical cities”.

Taskonaklar Boutique Hotel, located in Cappadocia, Turkey, announced the launch of their informative blog on Cappadocia that benefits every traveller intending to go to Cappadocia.

The Taskonaklar Boutique hotel is an unconventional boutique hotel located in Cappadocia, Turkey. The hotel features rooms with a pleasant combination of history and new. There are rooms with medieval archways and fireplaces as well as antique furniture, carpets and other items. However, rooms do also feature luxurious experience that includes modern, comfortable beds and amenities such as flat-screen TV, free wireless Internet, mini-bar and spacious bathrooms. Each room is unique, with its own atmosphere and originality, allying simplicity and comfort.

The Taskonaklar Boutique Hotel is also offering in-room spa services. These services include massages, facials and body treatments. The hotel features rooms with medieval archways and fireplaces as well as antique furniture, carpets and other items.

“This is just one more reason to take advantage of the truly unique experience that we offer for our guests,” stated Tolga Akarcali, a managing partner of the hotel. “We combine old-world ambiance and dining with all the comforts and amenities of a modern hotel. Plus, we provide a number of exciting activities in the area.”
Rooms at the Taskonaklar Boutique Hotel are a pleasant combination of old and new.

All rooms feature rough-hewn stone walls and fireplaces as well as medieval arches, antique furniture and carpets. It is, however, also a luxurious experience that includes modern, comfortable beds and amenities such as flat-screen TV, free wireless Internet, mini-bar and spacious bathrooms. Each room is unique, with its own atmosphere and originality, allying simplicity and comfort.

Special suites with private terraces and panoramic views are also available.

In addition, a home-cooked breakfast, five o’clock tea and dinner on demand are provided each day, featuring real Turkish cuisine. The hotel also offers 24-hour front desk service and daily cleaning.
Daily activities include:

•          Hot-air balloon rides and tours
•          Hiking and picnics
•          Horseback riding
•          Pottery classes
•          Guided walks
•          Trips with official guides
•          Concerts and other cultural activities

“This is a vacation destination like no other,” adds Akarcali. “The accommodations are historic and beautiful, and there is so much to do. Riding in a hot-air balloon is an amazing experience in itself, and the view of the countryside is breathtaking.“And if you just feel like relaxing in your room, our in-room spa services are always available.” It is the perfect way to relax after a day long of exploring the magical Cappadocia

About Taskonaklar
Taskonaklar is a uniquely handcrafted boutique hotel in Cappadocia,Turkey that blends nature, history and local traditions. It has been designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a National Heritage Site.

Hotel rooms combine subterranean spaces, rough-hewn walls, and stone archways with open terraces and balconies that offer incredible views of the local landscape. Modern amenities are included. The hotel also provides meals and organized activities.
For more information, visit http://www.taskonaklar.com.

Boutique hotel : White House Hotel Istanbul

If you are looking for a conveniently located and affordable boutique hotel in Istanbul Turkey, White House Hotel Istanbul may be just for you. The hotel is located near some of Istanbul’s biggest attractions, in the historical peninsula of old Istanbul, and it is within walking distance to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Archeology Museum, the Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, the Millennium Stone and Byzantine Hippodrome, which are the most important landmarks of the city. 

Guests staying at the White House Hotel for 3 nights or more are entitled to a free one-way transfer from Ataturk Airport to the hotel. A shuttle service from Sabiha Airport to the hotel is also available. Taxi cabs and rental cars are also available nearby and can escort guests to various points of interest throughout the city.


White House Hotel Istanbul has 22 rooms with 60 beds, including 2 Superior Rooms. All rooms provide a private bathroom, high-speed and wireless internet connection, hair-dryer, direct dial telephone system, LCD TV, satellite system, mini-bar, VRF air-conditioning system, safe box, emergency alarm system, make-up mirror, hot-water machine, tea and coffee making facilities.

Guests of the White House Hotel Istanbul will find plenty of shopping and dining options in the area. The hotel offers numerous amenities, including a restaurant and a lounge bar. Other offerings include laundry service, business facilities, and concierge service. The hotel staff can also provide guests with tourist information as well as rental car services.

White House Hotel Istanbul

The hotel has a very high rating in hotelscombined.com which is 10, amazing! Over 1,500 reviews praised the hotels many aspects of this boutique hotel:  clean rooms, good food in hotel's restaurant, clean and working shower, very convenient location and helpful and polite staff.


The room prices at White House Hotel Istanbul starts from 183 USD. You can check the lates prices from the below link.

Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet Istanbul, Turkey

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet may be one of the best places to stay in Istanbul now but in the first half of the century it was indeed one of the worst! This beautiful sunflower yellow, 4-story building with guard towers enclosing an elegant courtyard was once constructed as a jailhouse in 1918/1919, in the last few years of Ottoman Empire. It has a contemporary concept and housed inmates who were awaiting trial or serving brief sentences. The design of the building is Turkish neoclassical style and it was built in the beginning of the "First National Architecture" period. After housing many inmates, including famous Turkish political political dissidents such as communist leaders Mihri Belli and Hikmet Kivilcimli, poets and writers like Nazım Hikmet, Rıfat Ilgaz, Orhan Kemal , Aziz Nesin and Kemal Tahir, the jail was abandoned on January 25, 1969 and has been neglegted until 1992. The building was later renovated and opened in 1996 as a deluxe hotel of the Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts chain and is now one of the best hotels in Istanbul.

The hotel, which has just 65 bright and comfortable guest rooms and suites, it feels like a luxury and warm boutique hotel although it is a part of a large luxury hotel chain. Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet is very centrally located in old city and is walking distance away from Istanbul's main tourist attractions like Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia,  Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace and offers great walks through the old city.  Hotel is famous for its rooftop bar called St. Sophia Terrace which has a stunning view of old Istanbul, its Ottoman cuisine at Seasons Restaurant.

Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet Rooftop Bar (Hagia Sophia behind) - Source : luxecityguides.com

The only problem is that this hotel, with its price in the range of 800+ USD per night, is quite an expensive place to stay although it will save some taxi money and significant time for leisure tourists. And there is no swimming pool in the hotel. which may not a problem in winter but a quite nice to have in hot Istanbul summers.

Sultanahmet is the old city center and is home to many historic sightseeing of Istanbul. There are many hotels in Sultanahmet catering tourists but you can also choose to look at hotels in Bosphorus, which has a great view especially in spring.

You can check the room prices and availability in Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet here:

Other hotels in Istanbul Sultanahmet (old city) and Istanbul

Hotels in Sultanahmet	... Bosphorus	... and other 5-Star hotels in Istanbul