BETWEEN TWO CONTINENTS

Travelling to one of the most spectacular cities in the world to experience one of the finest five-star hotels in all of Europe proved to be an unforgettable adventure.

There are many magical spots across the globe that travellers long to visit. However, a few stand out in people’s minds due to the abundance of history, culture, architecture, beautiful weather and amazing cuisine on offer. Istanbul, in Türkiye, is one of these places. This beautiful and colourful metropolis is the only city that straddles both Europe and the Middle East, making it simultaneously a European and Asian city.

The five-star hotel Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus invited us to experience this bucket-list destination for four spectacular days and three unforgettable nights.

OUR ARRIVAL

As soon as we disembarked our flight, we were greeted by a hotel delegate and whisked away to our accommodation. En route, we caught a sneak peek of the splendour awaiting us in Istanbul. This breathtaking location, with its grand architecture, an assortment of mosques, vibrant colours and rich history, was enough to keep our eyes wide open in sheer awe at all the splendour to be discovered.

THE ROOMS

Arriving at Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, courteous and professional staff were on hand to welcome us and attend to our every need. We were soon booked in and heading to our respective suites. We all agreed it had to be one of the friendliest and most efficient airport-to-hotel-room experiences we’ve ever had.

All 553 guest accommodations, including suites, are of an exceptional standard – we had the pleasure of inspecting numerous types, including rooms and a variety of luxury suites.

I was booked into the beautiful King Deluxe Room and couldn’t have been more pleased with my corner of the hotel. This stylish and modern space offers all the amenities you could need for a comfortable and pampered stay. With its king-sized bed, soundproof windows, free wi-fi, Nespresso machine, 40-inch LCD TV and a Turkish-style bathroom complete with rain shower, I couldn’t have felt more content.

THE CUISINE

The hotel ensured we were delighted in all aspects, especially when it came to meal times.

SUMMIT BAR & TERRACE

On the first evening, we were invited to attend a meal at the Summit Bar and Terrace, located on the 14th floor. The panoramic views of the city and the Bosphorus Strait that welcomed us on the rooftop enhanced the feeling of wonder that accompanies the experience of an exotic new location. Our first culinary experience at the hotel was memorable as we were spoilt with scrumptious dishes from around the world. The Asian options at this venue were exquisite and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal, along with the bird’s-eye view of the city.

MANZARA

On our second evening, we were once again treated like royalty, this time with an invite to the Manzara restaurant. Once more, we were gifted with amazing views of Istanbul, including its historical peninsula.

At this fine-dining restaurant, we witnessed exceptional chefs preparing dishes in an open kitchen. Boasting a delicious menu of culinary masterpieces from various Mediterranean cultures, it wasn’t easy to choose from the wide array of dishes on the mouth-watering menu. Ultimately, it didn’t matter what we selected, as all the food was prepared to perfection and we had a truly enjoyable evening filled with feasting and laughter.

“Mere steps away from the city’s ferry ports, beautiful mosques, historical landmarks, world-class dining options and modern designer malls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this melting pot of the old and the new.”

MONET LOBBY LOUNGE & PATISSERIE

Throughout our stay, we had access to the Monet Lobby Lounge, a delightful venue offering a peaceful and quiet environment, along with an assortment of traditional Turkish coffees, teas, cakes, cookies and a wide selection of chocolate. Over our four days, we took advantage of this special space, where we could have some relaxing time, chat about our trip plans and enjoy the incredible art adorning the walls.

HOTEL AMENITIES

This award-winning hotel has been the recipient of many accolades. It has recently received the title of ‘Leading City Hotel of Europe’, amongst many others. This recognition is largely due to the wide range of amenities available. These include:

THE HEALTH CLUB
The well-equipped health club houses the latest Technogym exercise equipment and outdoor and indoor swimming pools, including a children’s pool. There is also a tennis club with two clay courts, a private multi-purpose studio, single and couples’ treatment rooms, a Turkish Hammam, a sauna, a steam room and more.

FUNCTION, CONFERENCE AND MEETING ROOMS
Amongst the excellent venues available at the hotel is one of the largest ballrooms in Istanbul. This lavish location can accommodate anywhere from 300 to 1,100 guests, depending on the setup and occasion.
The Panoramic Terrace is another great venue, allowing up to 240 guests to dine outdoors whilst taking in the truly spectacular views of the Bosphorus waterway and the Old City.
The Bosphorus Meeting Room is located on the hotel’s rooftop and is a more intimate venue that provides seating for up to 70 people, along with magnificent views.

CENTRAL LOCATION
As the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus is centrally located in the Besiktas area, it’s the perfect launching point to explore the enchanting city of Istanbul. Mere steps away from the city’s ferry ports, beautiful mosques, historical landmarks, world-class dining options and modern designer malls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this melting pot of the old and the new.

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS

We want to thank Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus for their fantastic hospitality, for sharing their paradise of a palace with us and for the opportunity to explore this wonderful part of the world. ✤

We understand that Türkyie was hit with a terrible natural disaster recently and we feel for its population. With this review we want to express our support for this country that has always opened its arms to Middle Eastern travellers.

GO: VISIT CONRAD ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS
AT WWW.HILTON.COM/EN/HOTELS/ISTHCCI-CONRAD-ISTANBUL-BOSPHORUS/
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION