The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

The highland view here completely surpasses any seaside hotel. The high-altitude infinity pool with a view of the strait and sunset truly elevates the atmosphere. Located in the European district, it's convenient for exploring the city, dining, and visiting the old town. As an older Ritz property, the hardware is a bit dated, but the service is generally on point. Staying here, overlooking both the European and Asian continents, truly enhances the sense of occasion for a city trip.

An amazing experience! The hotel's location is superb, just a few minutes' walk from Dolmabahçe Palace. You can walk to the seaside and it's very close to the pier, perfect for evening sightseeing cruises. The service was also excellent and comprehensive. On the hotel's L level, there are Michelin-starred restaurants, including Turkish, Italian, and Japanese options, which is very convenient. The hotel's views are also fantastic, with different room types offering various views, so you can choose according to your preference!

This hotel has been around for over 20 years. The overall environment is decent, but you really need a car to get around; walking for a couple of days would be quite tiring due to the uphill climbs. Ctrip's international presence is quite weak. I booked through them, and even though I checked in at 12 PM, I didn't get my room key until 8 PM. On top of that, they gave me the worst room on the edge of the property, with a ton of noise. I ultimately had to rely on my Marriott membership to get an upgrade and a room change. The restaurants, however, are all pretty good.

The rooms were, as always, very comfortable, and the bathroom system was excellent. The hotel view was also beautiful, especially from the breakfast restaurant, in the innermost corner, where you can see the strait – truly a delightful breakfast experience. If I had to pick a downside, it would be the surprisingly strict security check to enter The Ritz-Carlton in Istanbul, where both people and bags have to be scanned! I later found out that many diplomats stay here… so… you get it. The hotel provided various chocolates, as shown in the picture. The toiletries cost 45 Euros per bottle if you take them home, but you can use them freely inside the hotel. There were many old maps of Istanbul in the hallway, and my child spent a long time studying them with great interest.

The hotel has a fantastic overall vibe. The rooms are incredibly spacious and comfortable, and the bed is an absolute dream to sleep in. Even the toiletries smell luxurious! The staff are exceptionally attentive, polite, and thorough. They're always on hand to assist with any request.

The service was quite mediocre, and the facilities were really outdated.

The service was very professional and quite enthusiastic.

The location is pretty good, with beautiful views. The restaurant offers a direct view of the strait. The room was also quite clean, and overall, I had a good impression. The staff were enthusiastic and the check-in experience was comfortable. It's also great value for money. Definitely recommend it.