I think the first thing you have to say about the Four Seasons Bosphorus is that the service is impeccable from beginning to end. Everything inside the hotel is impeccable. Your room is cleaned at least 3 times a day. I went in November, so the pool was obviously closed. The gym is great, the spa is incredible (Make sure you do a treatment called MLX i3 Therapy) that makes you sweat the equivalent of 20km of running. It enhances your immune system, helps to burn fat, increases blood circulation detox the body and helps to rejuvenate and remove wrinkles if you do the full 45 min with facial included. The cost is 150 euros and you can do every other day. The breakfast is definitely one of the highlights. The food is delicious and the staff very attentive. The restaurants outside are great (make sure you stay at one of the cozy Igloos to the right side). They have a great wine selection: Speak with Sommelier Fatih Kaplan, very kind guy. I do have one consideration: If you're looking to be emerged into the Turkish culture, this hotel will not do it for you. You're just staying at a nice palace at Bosphorus with water view. Despite of the great views, it feels like any Four Seasons in the world. Want a taste of Turkey? Go to four seasons hotel istanbul at sultanahmet. That's my opinion - however, there's no reason to not rate this hotel as "excellent".

Located in a historic building (Atik Pasha Palace) built in the second half of the 19th century, the hotel received us with an upgrade (from the room overlooking the park to one with a private balcony overlooking the Bosphorus). We were sorry that we left the hotel to dine at a restaurant on the shores of the Bosphorus because our private balcony offered a much more beautiful view over the Bosphorus and a special feeling of intimacy (no other neighbors of the terrace, other balconies, etc.) Although it is not an opulent hotel, it is an extremely refined one, with a perfect good taste. We were greeted with a basket of fruit, fresh macarons, baclavas, the minibar contained various drinks (price in euros). The cosmetics provided by the hotel (shower gel, body lotion, etc.) are of the highest quality. Assorted marble everywhere, including the pool. The pool is quite large, good for swimming, only that the space is not very generous, it is crowded (but not to an annoying extent). Vessels transiting the Bosphorus can be seen quite closely, which is less common. Sitting on a sun lounger or swimming seeing moving boats and yachts is a special sensation. The umbrellas can move to provide shade for the sunbed, there are several spaces like a tent where you benefit from shade and privacy, you can eat at the pool or on the terrace next door. Although a wedding took place in the space next to the pool, until the end of the beach program (7 pm) we were not bothered by the guests, music, etc. The atmosphere at the pool is great (relaxing music), as throughout the hotel, the staff is extremely attentive in general. You don't have to wait to place an order at all, as if you can't wait to open your mouth to ask yourself what you need, I have rarely found such services in hotels. The entire attitude of the management and staff is dedicated to the client, the guest, everything to feel wonderful. We chose an a la carte breakfast instead of paying for the breakfast buffet (it is not very varied, I did not see cakes, but it has everything you need) which proved to be an inspired choice because I had a sensational Turkish breakfast on terrace. Although I only stayed one day and could not explore the whole hotel, what I saw and how we felt there, as well as the same excellent impressions received from a friend who has been several times makes me consider him excellent .

I stayed at the hotel amidst the pandemic and it was a pleasant escape from an otherwise very strange global situation. The hotel went to greater lengths than any leading hotel I have seen in London or Paris to ensure safety. EVERYTHING is disinfected, even the prayer mats! (See attached). I would like to thank Fuat Ensari in Guest Relations for making sure I was looked after from the moment I stepped foot inside the property, Eren from the pool for his professionalism and attentiveness, Arkan, Alper and Gonnen in reception and the most warm of thanks to Merve and Can Dagistan in the spa for arranging a special treatment for me and presenting me with the most charming Turkish Bath gift set. I would have loved to have used the indoor spa facilities but these are closed for the moment and I think guests should be told prior to booking. I also think staff should ask for room numbers as discreetly as possible as such information is private especially in a busy hotel with lots of members of the public walking through. I stay in many hotels but this one stands out for how concerned the staff are for every single detail of the guest’s time - bravo and very well done. Very very safe and incredibly welcoming.