Istanbul, straddling two continents and steeped in more than two millennia of history, is one of the world’s most captivating cosmopolitan cities. From the minarets of the Blue Mosque to the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, the city’s skyline tells stories of empires past, while the shimmering Bosphorus winds its way between Europe and Asia, offering a view that is both cinematic and timeless. This Chic Icon Luxury Guide has been carefully curated to showcase the very best that Istanbul has to offer—hotels, restaurants, and spas that promise unforgettable experiences for discerning travelers.
Whether it’s the intimate elegance of Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus, with its cinematic views and personalized service, or the historic grandeur of the Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s luxury hospitality is as diverse as the city itself. Culinary adventures await at Michelin-recognized restaurants like Aşeka and Ocak, or at waterside gems such as Caviar Kaspia and Vakko Le Specialità. For ultimate relaxation, Istanbul’s hammams and bespoke spa experiences—including the legendary Hurrem Sultan Hammam—offer rejuvenation steeped in centuries of tradition.
This guide is your passport to the city’s most exceptional experiences, where history, culture, and luxury converge in unforgettable style.
Best Hotels
Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus
Perched on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus feels more like a private sanctuary than a hotel. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century Ottoman building, it offers just twelve rooms and suites for maximum privacy, each with sweeping water views that make you feel suspended above the Bosphorus. The Maisonette Bosphorus rooms are a particular highlight, with double-height spaces, private terraces, fireplaces, and interiors that balance stone, marble, and warm wood—modern comfort woven seamlessly with historic charm.
Breakfast on the terrace is exceptional, offering both local and European favorites, from shakshuka to fluffy pancakes, enjoyed with the gentle sway of the Bosphorus beneath. Vakko Le Specialità serves some of Istanbul’s finest Italian dishes, from truffle risotto to fresh pasta, enhanced on weekends with live music and DJs. Caviar Kaspia brings Parisian elegance to the water, offering top-tier caviar, smoked fish, exquisite desserts, and craft cocktails in an effortlessly chic atmosphere.
The spa is a haven of calm, with Signature Hamam Rituals, massages, and facials, while free boat shuttles and optional private tours make exploring the Bosphorus effortless. Attentive, personalized service ensures every stay feels seamless. Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus is intimate, cinematic, and quietly luxurious—a rare retreat in Istanbul where every detail delights.
Address: Çengelköy, Kuleli Cd. No:43, 34684 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 216 422 80 00
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Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Nestled in the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, the Four Seasons Hotel occupies a meticulously restored neoclassical building, offering guests a rare blend of history and contemporary luxury. The rooms are intimate and beautifully appointed, with plush furnishings, rich fabrics, and subtle Ottoman-inspired details. Many offer glimpses of the Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, making the city’s history a constant companion. Bathrooms are marble-clad and spacious, while thoughtful amenities elevate every stay.
Dining is exceptional, with the Tugra Restaurant serving gourmet Ottoman and Turkish cuisine in a refined, candlelit setting. Breakfasts are fresh and abundant, highlighting local flavors alongside international classics.
The spa offers a serene retreat from the city, with massage therapies, facials, and wellness treatments designed to rejuvenate both body and mind. Every element—from the rooms to the food to the attentive staff—creates an immersive, elegant experience that feels both historical and timeless, a true jewel in Istanbul’s crown.
Address: Sultanahmet, Tevkifhane Sk. No:1, 34122, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 402 30 00
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Best Restaurants
Caviar Kaspia Istanbul
Perched elegantly on the Bosphorus, Caviar Kaspia Istanbul brings the storied Parisian legacy of refined dining to the heart of the city. The restaurant retains the brand’s hallmark sophistication, blending timeless décor with the serene shimmer of the water outside. Its location feels effortlessly cinematic—intimate yet vibrant, a perfect sanctuary for both quiet dinners and lively weekend evenings.
The menu celebrates caviar in all its glory, with Beluga, Ossetra, and Sevruga selections served traditionally on blinis or the signature baked potato. Alongside, guests can savor smoked salmon, delicate crab salads, and exquisitely prepared beef tartare. Desserts are artful and indulgent, from Pavlova to rich chocolate mousse in matryoshka, while the cocktail program features the signature Caviar Martini, Champagne with pearls, and inventive seasonal creations.
Weekends transform the space with live music and top DJs, creating an atmosphere that is chic, lively, and effortlessly cosmopolitan. For convenience, the hotel provides a free shuttle service on a set timetable, making access seamless for guests from the European side. With impeccable service, exquisite cuisine, and a setting that feels both glamorous and intimate, Caviar Kaspia Istanbul stands as one of the city’s premier luxury dining destinations, a must-visit for anyone seeking elegance and flavor on the water.
Address: Çengelköy, Kuleli Cd. No:43, 34684 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 216 422 80 00
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Aşeka
Situated in Istanbul’s Karaköy district, Aşeka is a Michelin-recognized destination where avant-garde cuisine meets impeccable hospitality. Under the guidance of Chef Deniz Erinç, the restaurant’s seasonally changing tasting menu showcases the freshest ingredients, blending creativity with precision. Each plate reflects Chef Erinç’s innovative approach, balancing textures, flavors, and visual artistry in a way that feels both modern and deeply thoughtful.
The Autumn-Winter tasting menu features standout dishes such as salt-baked beetroot with whipped ricotta, lemon marmalade, sorrel, and confit fennel, mushroom agnolotti in brodo with burnt garlic oil, and grilled lamb loin with mustard jus, celery purée, and radicchio, culminating in a decadent chocolate and chestnut tart with miso caramel ice cream. Every course is designed to take diners on a journey of seasonal flavors, highlighting creativity while respecting the purity of the ingredients.
Complementing the cuisine, Aşeka offers carefully curated wine pairings, including an exceptional selection of Turkish wines that enhance each dish and celebrate the richness of local viticulture. The intimate dining room, with soft lighting and tasteful design, creates a warm, inviting atmosphere ideal for special occasions or a sophisticated evening out. With Michelin recognition, inventive dishes, and impeccable wine pairings, Aşeka delivers a memorable, elevated culinary experience in Istanbul.
Address: Müeyyetzade, Arap Oğlan Sk. No:6, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 530 398 54 04
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Ocak
Tucked away in the heart of Istanbul’s Old City, Michelin Guide’s Ocak Restaurant offers a dining experience that feels like an invitation into the chef’s home. Housed in a beautifully restored tobacco warehouse, the ambiance is intimate and thoughtfully designed, with exposed brick walls and soft lighting creating a cozy yet refined atmosphere.
Chef Ömer Bozyap’s approach to Turkish-Anatolian cuisine is both respectful and innovative. The restaurant offers a seasonal tasting menu that showcases the rich flavors of the region. Dishes like ‘Three Shades of Chickpeas’ and lamb’s testicles with apple slices offer a modern twist on traditional ingredients, while classics like mantı (Turkish ravioli) and sultan’s delight are executed with precision and care. Each course tells a story, inviting diners to explore the depth of Anatolian culinary heritage.
The wine list features an impressive selection of Turkish boutique wines, thoughtfully paired to complement the flavors of each dish. The service is attentive and knowledgeable, with staff eager to share the origins and inspirations behind each course. Ocak is more than a meal; it’s a journey through Turkey’s culinary landscape, offering an authentic and memorable dining experience.
Address: No:5 | Regie Ottoman İstanbul Hotel, Hobyar, Mimar Vedat Sk., 34112 Fatih
Phone: +90 530 265 27 57
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Vakko Le Specialità
Overlooking the shimmering Bosphorus, Vakko Le Specialità offers an unforgettable dining experience where sunset views meet exceptional Italian cuisine. The terrace provides an intimate, cinematic setting, perfect for lingering evenings as the city’s lights reflect on the water below.
The menu showcases authentic Italian flavors with a modern touch: hand-rolled pastas, delicate truffle risottos, thin-crust pizzas baked to perfection, fresh burrata paired with heirloom tomatoes, and expertly grilled seafood. Seasonal ingredients elevate every dish, while the wine selection spans Italian classics and boutique labels, complemented by a creative cocktail program featuring Aperol Spritz and signature mixes.
On weekends, the atmosphere becomes vibrant, with live music and top DJs energizing the space while maintaining elegance and sophistication. Guests arriving from the European side can take advantage of the free Bosphorus shuttle, ensuring effortless access to this waterside gem. Attentive service, thoughtful presentation, and the seamless blend of flavors, views, and ambiance make every visit memorable. Vakko Le Specialità is not just a meal—it is a complete sensory experience, where every detail, from cuisine to cocktails to the glowing Bosphorus, is carefully orchestrated for an extraordinary evening.
Address: Çengelköy, Kuleli Cd. No:43, 34684 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 216 422 80 00
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Best Spa
Spa at Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus
The spa at Vakko Hotel Sumahan Bosphorus is a serene sanctuary overlooking the Bosphorus, offering a truly luxurious escape. Its selection of exclusive private hammam treatments includes the signature Vakko Ritual, Royal Bath, and Detox Bath, each designed to cleanse, nourish, and revitalize the body with aromatic foams, organic oils, and indulgent masks such as collagen or caviar. We love the Vakko Smoothing Bath, a pampering journey that leaves you refreshed and deeply relaxed.
In addition to the hammam, the spa provides a wide array of massages—from deep tissue and sports massage to aromatherapy, Thai, and Lomi Lomi Nui—each tailored to ease tension, improve circulation, and restore balance. There is also an extensive selection of facials and body treatments, including golden powder, collagen, caviar, and brown sugar masks, designed to nourish, firm, and rejuvenate the skin. With its intimate setting, expert therapists, and luxurious treatments, the Vakko spa is an unparalleled retreat for relaxation and wellbeing.
Address: Çengelköy, Kuleli Cd. No:43, 34684 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 216 422 80 00
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Hurrem Sultan Hammam
Hurrem Sultan Hammam, nestled between Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, offers a luxurious and historically rich Turkish bath experience. Commissioned by Hürrem Sultan, wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and designed by architect Mimar Sinan in 1556, it was built on the site of the ancient Baths of Zeuxippus. Its stunning architecture, Marmara marble, intricate tilework, and golden fixtures create an elegant and serene atmosphere that transports guests back to the Ottoman era.
The hammam offers a variety of treatments, including full-body exfoliation, foam massages, hair-wash rituals, and specialized packages such as Pir-ü Pak, Keyf-i Hammam, Zevk-i Sefa, and the luxurious Ab-i Hayat, featuring full-body clay masks and aromatherapy. Each experience is designed to rejuvenate both body and mind. With separate sections for men and women and impeccable service, this hammam is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic yet indulgent Turkish bath in Istanbul.
Address: Cankurtaran, Ayasofya Meydanı No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 517 35 35
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