Istanbul on the Bosphorus: Why the Four Seasons in Beşiktaş Is an Alternative to the Old Town

On a first trip to Istanbul, the hotel search almost automatically leads to the Old Town: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar sit close together in Sultanahmet. But the city has a second side that many only discover on their next visit – the shores of the Bosphorus, where ferries shuttle between Europe and Asia and life moves at a different pace.

Based on our research, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus is one of the most interesting places to stay if you want to experience the city from this side. Here’s what sets the property apart, who it suits and how to explore the city from there.

Bosphorus or Old Town: the most important decision first

Before choosing a specific hotel, it’s worth deciding on the neighbourhood. Both have clear advantages:

If you only have two days and want to see all the classics, the Old Town works well. If you’re staying longer or want to experience Istanbul the way locals do, the Bosphorus often offers the better overall package.

The hotel at a glance

• Building: a 19th-century palace, originally built as the Atik Pasha Palace, restored and opened as a hotel in 2008
• Location: on Çırağan Caddesi in Beşiktaş, right on the European shore of the Bosphorus, near Dolmabahçe Palace
• Size: 170 rooms, 25 of them suites – spread across the historic palace and newer wings
• Food: Aqua restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, plus a lounge, bar and pool grill
• Wellness: a spa of around 2,100 square metres with hammam, indoor pool, steam room and sauna, plus an outdoor pool by the water

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus: Book now*

What makes a stay special

A palace overlooking two continents

From many rooms and from the terrace you look out over the Bosphorus to the Asian shore opposite. Ships pass all day long – from freighters to small ferries. When booking, check whether your room faces the water or the courtyard: the difference in experience is big, and usually so is the difference in price.

Wellness in the hammam

The spa is one of the city’s larger ones. The hammam is more than a wellness extra: the Turkish bath has a long tradition in Istanbul, and for many people a visit is part of any trip here. At the hotel you can experience it in a calm setting, without having to hunt for a historic bathhouse.

Space the Old Town doesn’t have

With its garden, terrace and pool, the property offers something rare in the densely built city centre: room. On longer stays or with children, it’s good to have somewhere to breathe after a day in the narrow streets.

Exploring the city from here

• Dolmabahçe Palace: right nearby on the waterfront.
• Ortaköy: the neighbourhood with its waterside mosque, cafés and small shops is along the shore.
• Nişantaşı: Istanbul’s elegant shopping district is a short way up the hill.
• Old Town: reach Sultanahmet by taxi or by water. There’s also a complimentary shuttle between the hotel and its sister property, Four Seasons Sultanahmet.

Our tip: plan at least one trip on the Bosphorus. From the water you see palaces, wooden mansions and bridges – and understand why this city between two continents is so special.

Who the hotel suits – and who it doesn’t

It’s a good fit if you …

• aren’t visiting Istanbul for the first time or are staying longer,
• value a water view, a spa and space,
• are travelling with family and want a retreat with a pool,
• prefer evenings in waterside cafés and restaurants to the Old Town.

It’s less suitable if you …

• want to reach every sight on foot during a short first visit,
• are looking for a small, personal boutique hotel – this is a large property,
• are travelling on a tight budget.

Conclusion: experience Istanbul from the water

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus combines a historic palace with a location that shows the city’s more relaxed side. If you’ve seen the Old Town classics – or can easily reach them by ferry and taxi – you get Bosphorus views, a large spa and room to breathe.

For what to look out for whenever you choose a hotel, read our article How to Find the Perfect Hotel. And if you know a hotel we should feature in one of our hotel tours, recommend it to us.

Sources

• Four Seasons Press Room: Hotel Facts – Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
• Forbes Travel Guide: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus