Room with a View: Staying at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus

By now, you probably know that Istanbul is one of my favorite places ever! Recently, I booked (quite spontaneously) a flight to that bustling city and enjoyed a weekend getaway with my boyfriend. Other than visiting our usual spots, we were happy to stay in a property that we haven’t experienced yet: The Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus. Let me tell you in advance: it did not disappoint!

Quick Overview 
The Conrad Hotel Istanbul Bosphorus is a five star hotel sitting on top of a hill overlooking the Bosphorus. Upon entering the building you will find yourself immediately in an impressive and luxurious setting. The lobby area resembles rather an entrance hall of a palace then a regular hotel lobby. It is bright, airy and full of marble with a staircase standing in the center of it. Just stunning!

Location
The property is located in the lively district Besiktas on the European side of Istanbul. It is close to Ortaköy and just in walking distance to the beautiful Dolmabahce palace, which is worth a visit. Near the hotel you can also find the ferries departing to the Asian side. Besiktas is a neighborhood with lots of restaurants, pubs and bars and a great place to mingle with locals.

The Room
My boyfriend and I stayed two nights in an executive room with a Bosphorus view. When entering the room, the first thing that I noticed, besides that amazing view (but more on that later), was the delicious welcoming platter full of fresh fruits and sweet treats. Such a nice touch!
Our room at Conrad Istanbul had a contemporary look and is fitted with wooden elements, natural colors and Turkish design elements with a modern touch. It was very well-appointed with a king size bed, a working desk, a Nespresso machine, a minibar, comfy necessities like a bath robe and slippers, a TV and complimentary Wi-Fi. However, the highlight of the room was definitely the spectacular view. Stretching from one wall to the other was a huge window, which allowed to view the whole surrounding area including the Bosphorus, Asia and the Maiden Tower. I could sit there and watch the day going by for hours.

The bathroom had a luxurious touch with chic marble interior, which I really liked and provided a hair dryer, toiletries by Aromatherapy Associates and a beautiful (and huge) shower. The shower did not only have a rain shower, but basically featured an in-room spa. You were able to sit in the shower and get your back massaged by water. I can tell you that this was the best thing after a day of running around the city.

The Executive Lounge
Besides the incredible room view, booking an executive room comes with more perks. Guests of an executive room or a suite are given access to the Executive Lounge. The lounge provides complimentary breakfast, a light dinner, a variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and snacks throughout the day and evening. Furthermore, private check in and check out are also taking place here. It’s the ideal place to relax, have a quick bite or enjoy a coffee in an intimate setting.

Breakfast
As a guest of an executive room, you can either have breakfast in the restaurant or in the lounge, which gives it an intimate feel. A buffet-style breakfast offers a big variety of warm and cold dishes to accommodate all tastes and preferences. Besides Turkish cuisine, there are also a few Arabian and Asian dishes and Western breakfast essentials. Guest can also enjoy freshly baked good, fresh fruits and lots of desserts. The only thing that I was missing were pancakes, but the big selection of desserts made up for that. I was particularly impressed with the gluten free and diabetes breakfast options, as this is not a standard in many hotels.

My breakfast favorite at the Conrad Istanbul were the Turkish scrambled eggs called menemen. They go perfectly with Turkish baked goods such as simit. Order a Turkish tea called cay along with that and you have you a nice Turkish breakfast to start the day. If you’re lucky, you get to snatch a window seat to enjoy breakfast with a view.

Service and Facilities
As a luxury property, the Conrad Istanbul offers its guests all facilities that they might wish to use during the stay. From a a fully equipped gym, to a beautiful indoor pool, a spa that offers a variety of treatments including a traditional Turkish hammam and even tennis courts and an outdoor pool to perfect your summer stay. Another reason to return to Istanbul in summer!

Situated on the 14th floor guests can find Summit Bar and Terrace, which offers, besides cocktails, an incredible panoramic view. Best time to go would be without a doubt during sunset! The Manzara Restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine.

Overall, the staff was always helpful and did a good job. Our house keepers cleaned the room twice a day and provided us daily with delicious Turkish delight (they surely know how to make me happy!).

Book a room at Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, if you wish to experience a centrally located and lively neighborhood away from the touristy hustle and bustle. This hotel is suitable for couples, families and solo travelers alike, who look for a comfortable stay with all luxury offers that you would expect from a five star property. A stay at this property will ensure you a hassle free stay in Istanbul with room views that you will miss waking up to!

Thank you to the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus for hosting me! The opinions expressed on this blog and the photos are as always my own.