Palace hotels in Istanbul
4 palace hotels in Istanbul, chosen and checked by the Atlas. The grand hotels of the world: palaces on the great squares, family houses that have kept their standards for a century or more, and a few modern masterpieces.
Çırağan Palace Kempinski
A 19th-century Ottoman imperial palace on the European shore of the Bosphorus, with an infinity pool at the water's edge.
Pera Palace Hotel
Built in 1892 for passengers of the Orient Express. Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway and Greta Garbo stayed here.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
A 19th-century Ottoman palace on the European shore of the Bosphorus, with a waterside terrace, an outdoor pool and a spa.
The Peninsula Istanbul
Opened in 2023 on the Karaköy waterfront in three restored historic buildings and a new one, looking across to the old city and the Topkapı Palace.
Good to know
Book direct
The best rooms and upgrades usually go to guests who book with the hotel itself, by phone or through its own website.
Ask for the history
Grand hotels are proud of their past. Ask the concierge which suite was whose; the answer is often worth the question.
Dress for the public rooms
Bars and restaurants in palace hotels expect smart dress in the evening, and a few still ask for a jacket.