5 Star Istanbul Awaits at the Shangri-La

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is the economic, historical and cultural heart of the country and when visiting you can't go past the gorgeous 5-star Shangri-la, Bosphorus.

Ideally located in the financial and entertainment district of Besiktas, the  hotel yields breathtaking views of the Bosphorus Strait and offers guests sanctuary in any of its 186 luxurious guestrooms and suites. As a bonus all rooms at the hotel come with complimentary high-speed Internet access.

The hotels decor plays with both subtle and overt luxury.

In guestrooms, the rich teal, crème and caramel colour scheme is elegant and soothing and the bathrooms are decked in dramatic Turkish marble complete with heated floors.

Nearly all of the hotel’s 17 suites have private terraces offering beautiful Bosphorus vistas with the ultimate indulgence being the Shangri-La Suite.  This oasis has three terraces overlooking the Old City, Asian shores and the Bosphorus Bridge.

Further 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 winds down the hotel’s three-story 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.

The grand lobby flows into the Lobby Lounge, where classic European bespoke furniture and plush sofas are arranged to create intimate seating areas. The adjacent Le Bar is a jewel box set off by a stone wall and serves traditional cocktails and spirits, plus tapas and mezzes.

Dining is a treat for the senses. The all-day dining venue IST TOO offers a uniquely satisfying combination of Asian, Mediterranean, and Turkish cuisines, including a Japanese sushi bar, SUSHI TOO.

For exceptional Cantonese cuisine, head to Shang Palace. The premier Chinese restaurant in Istanbul, Shang Palace provides authentic delights in the elegant ambience of its spacious main dining area, private dining room, wine room and intimate booths.

The heart of the hotel is Lobby Lounge, which features a tea lounge and bar. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon tea service are followed by tapas and evening entertainment in relaxed yet refined surroundings.

Alison Carmichael-Rulten

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