Luxury Accommodation in Istanbul

Exploring Istanbul as a Corporate Event Buyer gave me a unique chance to compare and contrast top hotels the city has to offer.  The excellent range of five star options appeals to all tastes, but making a final choice needs to be tailor-made to specific requirements.  I would recommend different locations depending on the time of year; whether the trip is for business or leisure; and guests' priorities / interests.  For example in the Summer I think the two very best places to choose between are the fabulous Ciragan Palace Kempinski, or the neighbouring chic Four Seasons Bosphorous.  The Ciragan Palace has the best outdoor pool in a resort-style setting and 70% of the bedrooms have views of the Bosphorous.  Decor is in traditional style and the palace wing is truly opulent - ideal if you'd like to arrive by private helicopter and spend Eur40,000 per night on your suite.  Thankfully the regular room rate is a fraction of the cost.  These waterfront properties provide the perfect opportunity to take a private boat transfer from the airport and avoid the usual road traffic challenges on arrival. Four Seasons Bosphorous is one of two properties in Istanbul (the smaller and older Four Seasons Sultanahmet is centrally located and ideal for sightseeing around the Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace).  The Park Hyatt is tucked away in the trendy Nisantasi area, the Istanbul equivalent to London's Bond Street, and partners well with events held at the Grand Hyatt.  New on the block is the Edition hotel, a collaboration between Ian Shraeger and Marriott hotels.  An unexpected tie-in but the result is a contemporary and comfortable design hotel ideal for small business meetings, or a weekend break for trendy urbanites.  Near the Kanyon shopping complex and by an underground station the Edition is a practical option, but not so central.  The three floor spa is bound to attract a loyal following but personally I wasn't keen on the fact it's underground.  Swimming so far below street level felt strange (although the pool is lovely) and having to take a lift to -5 to find the spa reception.   In complete contrast the Pera Palace has been the grande dame of Istanbul for over a century, originally attracting the rich and famous passengers travelling on the Orient-Express train.  Agatha Christie is immortalised in suite 411 and the hotel's recent major refurbishment has established it as a renowned heritage hotel.  Beautifully renovated, the Pera Palace no longer has the Golden Horn views that would have been enjoyed when the hotel first opened, but the property is a historical gem, well located and good for those seeking a sense of nostalgia.  Although there is a small indoor pool it's nothing special for those  keen to enjoy a swim.  With a new Raffles hotel, plus a new Shangri-La hotel opening next year, Istanbul is constantly expanding the tempting array of places to stay.  I should also mention there are some smaller boutique properties created from converted grand homes, which are ideal on an exclusive use basis with around ten plus bedrooms.  For celebrating a special occasion this could be an ideal solution.  With a flight time of four hours from the UK it's the most oriental destination within the shortest flying time, providing a great combination of east meets west.  Offering a wealth of places to see and delicious food to try, the experience is well worth it.  Just choose your hotel wisely.