Istanbul is not just a city straddling two continents. It’s a place that mixes old and new, magnificent Ottoman palaces with gleaming skyscrapers. Its continual evolution is what makes the city so enticing to millions of visitors every year.
Raffles Istanbul is a beacon of modern Istanbul. Set back from the popular and crowded central hub, the luxury hotel gives couples the chance to catch their breath and relax in style, with elevated views of the city from its setting by the Zorlu Center. 
What’s it like inside?
As you approach the hotel, it becomes apparent that this isn’t another anonymous city hotel block. Gleaming expanses of marble and glass soar upwards, broken only by the private balconies of the rooms above.
The colossal reception area is dotted with art, both Turkish and international, including a huge sculpture by Martin Dawe. Amongst the sea of contemporary features, Istanbul’s heritage isn’t forgotten; Byzantine-inspired glass panels and hammered copper doors decorate the corridors leading away from the lobby area.
What are the rooms like?
The global style theme continues in the bedrooms and suites, with cool neutral palettes and tasteful splashes of texture, colour and pattern.
Impressively, every one of the 136 guest rooms and 49 suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. Ask for a Bosphorus-view room to enjoy scenes of the river and city during your stay.
Dining
You won’t go hungry at Raffles Istanbul, that’s for sure. With two signature restaurants, two bars and lounges and a patisserie, there’s something to satisfy any hunger.
Arola is one of the signature restaurants, headed by Michelin-starred chef Sergi Arola. Offering Iberian fare, dine on tapas-style plates in the chic restaurant or on the terrace outside. Don’t miss the Strawberry and Cream dessert; a joyful crush of meringue and fruit set off with wasabi ice cream.
Rocca, the hotel's other speciality restaurant, is famous for its modern take on Turkish classics. Read more about it HERE
Relax
Raffles Istanbul’s spa, one of the biggest in the city, offers everything from authentic Hammams to European facials and massages. There’s everything you need to feel rested and restored including jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms (so far, so spa) as well as ice fountains and ‘experience showers’, which involves a jet sequence of hot and cold water.
Booked in for the Hammam treatment? Finish the quintessential Turkish beauty experience, which involves a body scrub, foam massage and head massage, with a quick dip in the ice shower. It’s the perfect way to cool off after the heat of the Hammam and sauna.
The Rooms
Every room and suite offers high-tech facilities including an in-room tablet to control lighting, air-con and curtains. A multi-media panel lets you control the TVs in the living or bedroom space and bathroom.
Best of all is a 24/7 butler service on hand to assist every guest for the duration of their visit. Let the hotel know you’re on honeymoon and they’ll decorate your room with romantic details and prepare a special bath for two. Heaven.
What’s nearby?
Situated in Istanbul’s Besiktas district, Raffles Istanbul is attached to the Zorlu Center, home to some of the world’s biggest luxury brands, including Dior, Burberry and Valentino, as well as a theatre and concert hall which hosts events throughout the year.
The hotel and Zorlu Center is also very handily connected to the metro via an underpass, so if you prefer a day of sightseeing around the historic old quarter, you can skip the traffic and zip down on the tube to the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque and Taksim Square in just a few stops.
Getting back to the UK is also simple - the hotel is a mere 30 minutes from both Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen international airports.
THE KHUSH VERDICT
Raffles Istanbul beautifully marries the efficiency of a global hotelier with warm Turkish hospitality. With cheerful staff happy to go the extra mile, fabulous dining and drinking and a world-class spa, there’s as much to savour within the hotel as there is in the city.
www.raffles.com/istanbul