Attached to the luxurious Zorlu Shopping center, the Hotel Raffles Istanbul towers over its neighbors and provides an incredible view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Upon arrival, a massive lobby decorated with colorful marble floor, and soft gold light greets guests.

The art piece, “Dream of Istanbul” stretches across the back wall, and commands the attention of the Lobby Lounge or Lovinia Lounge visitors. The piece, completed by Jean-Francois Rauzier, collages some 300 photos of the interior of the Dolmabache Palace, and creates a hyper-real composition of the Palace’s architecture. The piece further creates and embodies the spirit of the hotel: a dream of Istanbul. Complimenting the massive mural, the piece “Lavinia,” by artist Martin Dawe, depicts a woman reclining in an abstract bronze sculpture.

In the rooms upstairs, guests find themselves captivated by the striking views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. The hotel soars over Istanbul, providing a beautiful panorama of both the sea and the urban cityscape. The Raffles wisely has large floor-to-ceiling windows in most of the rooms, so guests experience the view in an almost three-dimensional manner. Travellers will enjoy a Turkish sunset over the cool blue sea with a drink in their hand from the comfort of their room’s balcony.

Once finished with the view, guests will revel in the décor and artwork on display in the rooms, hallways, and common areas. The Raffles spared no expense in its international art collection, featuring over 200 pieces from local and international artists. Guests also will have whatever whim they wish fulfilled with a few touches on any of the rooms’ included iPads.

For honeymooners and high rollers, the Horizon suite beckons. With arcing urban skylines and the twinkling blue sea, these corner suites are the pride of the Raffles. A full 185 square meters lays at your disposal, replete with a common living area, a master bedroom, his and her fountains, a freestanding bathtub with an incredible view, and a walk in closet. These rooms also feature some of the most impressive balconies on the tower structure, and these rooms receive a unique view encompassing both the best of the Bosphuros and the cityscape.

Back downstairs, guests will enjoy food and libations from some of Istanbul’s best. The Long Bar pays tribute to the Hotel Raffles in Singapore, where the famous Singapore Sling cocktail traces its origin. At The Long Bar, you will enjoy world-class drinks on the outdoor bar, with live music in the background. The Rocca Restaurant, one of the Zorlu’s specialty restaurants, serves contemporary Turkish cuisine alongside an impressive wine collection. The Writes Bar provides a quieter ambiance, where guest may enjoy a glass of fine wine, or sip whisky while they pursue their favorite book.  Lastly, the Arola restaurant stands as the culinary prize of the Raffles Istanbul. The fine dining restaurant employs a Spanish flair in its cuisine and design. The chef, Michelin-starred Sergi Arola, creates inimitable tapas-style dishes, built for sharing.

Once guests have had their fill of delicious food, they can exit the hotel and stroll into the Zorlu Center, one of Istanbul’s hottest new shopping centers. With international luxury brands filling the windows, and one of Istanbul’s best concert venues, guests can easily find themselves immersed in finest Istanbul has to offer.