5-Star Hotels in Istanbul

Perfect location for everything we walked everywhere as the main attractions and bazaars were within 5 mins walking. Left was Hagia Sofia. Palace etc, right were bazaars...straight down was the sea. The hotel was lovely, and breakfast had everything I liked and more. The view from the top was amazing; you could see all across Istanbul. Our room was very clean, and we even had soothing music in the bathroom, which was a really nice touch. I gave 4 stars for amenities because although the hotel has a spa, I was really hoping for a hammam experience and unfortunately it was mixed. If they offered an hour or even part of the day for ladies only, this hotel would be an absolute winner. One small downside was that our taxi couldn’t drop us off or pick us up directly outside the hotel, so we had to walk about 3 minutes. That said, the area felt very safe we walked out at 10pm as two women and felt completely comfortable. There’s even a police station right opposite the hotel! Overall, a great stay and I’d definitely recommend it.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Mula Hotel in Istanbul with my family, including two toddlers, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget. Nestled in the heart of the old Sultanahmet area, the location couldn’t be more ideal. It’s within walking distance of all the major attractions, offering a perfect blend of convenience and cultural immersion. The surrounding area is a food lover’s paradise, with an array of great restaurants offering local and international cuisine. Plus, the easy access to the tram makes exploring the city a breeze. The hotel itself is a gem. My room was not only beautifully appointed but also boasted a stunning sea view that added a special touch to our family stay. Waking up to the serene vista of the sea was truly a highlight. The hotel’s family-friendly atmosphere made our stay with toddlers smooth and enjoyable. However, what really sets Mula Hotel apart is its exceptional service. Every staff member I encountered was not just professional but genuinely warm and welcoming. Their constant smiles and readiness to assist at any hour truly made me feel valued and taken care of. From getting a bottle of water in the middle of the night to personal touches like waiters remembering my omelette preferences after just one day - every detail was noticed and appreciated. I must give special mentions to Ercan at the restaurant and Ilknur at the front desk. Their outstanding service and personal attention significantly enhanced my stay. Their professionalism and kindness reflect the hotel’s commitment to guest satisfaction. Coming from someone who travels significantly and has stayed in several fantastic properties across the world, I can confidently say that Mula is right up at the top, and a rarity among hotels. In conclusion, Mula Hotel is more than just a place to stay; it’s a destination that offers a memorable experience. Whether it’s the prime location, the beautiful rooms, the delicious food, or the unparalleled service, this hotel ticks all the boxes for an exceptional stay in Istanbul. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city, especially those traveling with family.

I love Pera Palace Hotel!!! It's been love at first sight! ❤️ It's been my dream since about two years to spend a night here and finally last night my husband and I did, and even with my extremely high expectations the stay even surpassed those - it was one of the best hotel stays ever - and we had a lot! 😉 Pera Palace Hotel has such a vibrant history and it nourishes this historical vibe, it's like living in a museum, it is as if you've been dropped into another time about one hundred years back - absolutely lovely, mesmerizing, breathtaking! 😍 On the way to our room #512, we took the first elevator of the country made of wood and cast iron and installed in 1892 - what an exciting ride! 🤩 The ROOM!!! I had booked the Greta Garbo corner room and it DID look like on the pictures - beautiful!!! Again, talking about travelling in time ... Bed was comfy, bathroom with cute old style bathtub 🛁 ... Everything was perfect! There was enough complimentary water, the option to make espresso, tea,... Minibar was available as well but we chose to have a nice glass of Whiskey at the Oriental Bar instead in the evening - so stylish, such a cozy flair, plus quite a big choice of different whiskeys ... 🥃 The service from check-in until check-out was impeccable - valet, reception, Turkish coffee at Kubbeli Lounge, drinks at Oriental Bar, Agatha Restaurant for breakfast with a fantastic buffet... the SPA area is quite small, but very nice as well ... We had a little steam room and sauna session that was very relaxing before retiring to our room for the night ... This morning, after the delicious breakfast, we visited the Atatürk museum - room #101 where Atatürk used to reside starting from 1917 until he took residency at Dolmabahçe Palace. What else can I say? Well, check out the list of all the famous people from all over the world who stayed at Pera Palace Hotel! And watch Midnight at the Pera Palace on Netflix 🗝️ 😃 ... And then try it out yourself and you'll see, it's as stunning as I'm saying!!! 😍😍😍 We'll be back, I REALLY want to! ❤️ On the last picture you can see a gift that I received when checking out 🥰 - so it's clear, we are meant to be back!!! And if I choose the room we will stay at very carefully next time we might even be able to travel in time ... 🤣

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.

Our stay was wonderful in every way, but they ruined it at the end. We asked for an hour and a half extension for check-out, and they flat-out refused. In fact, they even called our room and, in a threatening tone, told us to leave quickly.

From the moment I arrived, the experience was smooth and welcoming. The check-in was fast, and the warm cookie was a lovely touch. My room was spotless, comfortable, and well-equipped with everything I needed. The staff were incredibly friendly, always smiling and ready to help. Breakfast was delicious with a good variety of fresh options. The hotel’s location was also convenient, close to everything I needed. I truly appreciated the attention to detail and the overall comfort during my stay. Highly recommended — I’ll definitely be coming back!

Upon arrival we received a room facing the main street. We could not sleep well because of the noise of the cars, but the next day the room was replaced with a quieter one. Thanks to the understanding staff. Everything was good, but the room's bathroom is old and needs maintenance and updating.

A lovely hotel - super aesthetic, and you can tell it's full of culture. We arrived around 2 am, tired as expected, and the receptionist was just wonderful. There was some confusion around the deposit and method of payment, but he was extra patient and accommodating. Just a shame that no one greeted us outside / helped with the bags, which we saw happen for some other guests (for us, the concierge just stood at the entrance watching us - not really the kind of welcome I'd expect for a 5 star hotel). We asked for two room cards, one of which stopped working on the second day, but that was quickly fixed by reception. We also realized that one card worked better for turning the room 'on' than the other card. One would always 'disconnect' and turn the electricity off, so that took a bit of trial and error. Calling reception wasn't always productive, unfortunately. Sometimes they didn't answer at all, so we had to go downstairs to them instead. The housekeeping line was a bit more useful. We asked reception/housekeeping for an iron/ironing board and had to wait almost 45 minutes for it. We also asked for room service and we could tell the bedsheets weren't changed / bathroom wasn't cleaned. It wasn't really an issue for us, but for a 5 star hotel, I expected a little better room service. We loved the breakfast. So many options and a great variety. Some of the waiters/waitresses didn't seem too happy to be there, which isn't great when you're going to have breakfast and see unhappy faces all around you. But, I came across the sous chef on more than one occasion and he was a delight. There was one waiter who was also lovely, and chatted to me about where I was from and how interested he was in the Spanish language. Location of the hotel is great, within walking distance for several of Istanbul's 'hot spots'. Only 10 min walk from the ferry station, about 15 min walk to Hagia Sophia or the Grand Bazaar, and a bit further to get to the Blue Mosque. Galata Tower is also within walking distance if you enjoy a good walk. If not, there are plenty of tram/bus stations around. We stayed for 6 nights and never needed to use the tram/bus, though (walked around 15k-16k steps a day!).

The room was nice, but there's a mosque nearby, so it got a bit noisy in the mornings. The breakfast was really bad, but the hygiene and environment were decent. The main issue was that many of the staff didn't speak English, which made communication difficult.

Earlier hotel, 1. The hotel does not have a toothbrush comb, even a mouthwash cup, a bathtub but no bathtub plug. 2. Breakfast is 4 kinds, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, chips/spring, sausage, fruit with watermelon apple. 3. The price is relatively cheap (relative to other hotels), in the middle of 2 subway stations, one of the shopping centers is very close to 900m, about 10 minutes walk.