An Inside Look at the Peninsula Istanbul, the City’s Most Exciting New Hotel

The Dinogo Perspective

The Peninsula Istanbul marks the 11th addition to the iconic luxury hotel brand established in the 1860s by the Kadoorie family in Hong Kong. With locations from its flagship in Hong Kong to spots in Manhattan and Paris (and a London venue welcoming guests in September), it stands apart as a boutique option in a world dominated by corporate giants. The hotel beautifully blends Eastern and Western influences, resonating with the rich history of this ancient city that connects Europe and Asia.

Even among a hotel group renowned for its prime locations, the Istanbul property is a remarkable achievement. Having had a soft opening in early 2023 and now nearing full completion, the project revitalizes the Karaköy waterfront through the restoration of three historical buildings that were closed off to the public for many years. These structures are significant landmarks reflecting the area’s maritime history, holding deep cultural significance for locals. “My generation only knew these buildings as forlorn and neglected,” a staff member shared during my visit. “Being here now sends shivers down my spine.” As a part-time resident of Istanbul, I felt the same wonder.

Guests arrive at the historic 1937 Bauhaus-style former port terminal, distinguished by its iconic rectilinear clock tower. White-gloved valets greet them and guide them into a grand space featuring a reception area and a spacious casual dining venue beneath a stunning stained-glass ceiling. The structure connects through marble-clad hallways to Merkez Han, a pale-gray art nouveau building from 1912 that once served as Turkey’s maritime headquarters, and on the opposite side, Çinili Han, a 1910 passenger terminal with an arts and crafts-inspired façade adorned with golden tiles. The complex also boasts a newer (though less elegant) extension housing additional guest rooms and a ballroom alive with receptions and weddings.

Istanbul is already renowned for its waterfront urban retreats like Ciragan Palace Kempinski and Four Seasons Bosphorus. So why opt for the Peninsula? It features a dreamy outdoor pool (as well as a stunning indoor one), a garden filled with sculptures designed by Swiss landscape artist Enzo Enea, and a tranquil resort ambiance, all while being situated in the vibrant heart of the city. The hotel offers breathtaking views, including the Ottoman turrets of Topkapi Palace and the domes and minarets of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia across the shimmering waters.

Who’s it for?

Many guests here are loyal fans of the Peninsula brand, captivated by its meticulous attention to detail and seamless service. The location is perfect for culture enthusiasts and first-time visitors to Istanbul eager to explore historic sites, though the hotel also caters to returning guests who prefer to unwind by the pool. The enchanting atmosphere is ideal for romantic couples, while solo adventurers will enjoy the vibrant surroundings. Despite its upscale vibe, families with children are warmly welcomed. No matter who you are, the luxury and indulgence will delight your inner hedonist.

The location

The Peninsula is situated in the lively Karaköy district—where the Bosphorus meets the Golden Horn estuary—just across from the historic peninsula and a stone’s throw from the Karaköy ferry pier. (Be sure to take a ride to the Asian side of the city.) Istanbul’s iconic mosques and bustling bazaars are only a few tram stops away, sparing you from the city’s infamous traffic. Don’t miss a stroll to the Spice Market across the Galata Bridge, where you can watch local fishermen and admire the majestic imperial mosques lining the horizon.

With a history dating back to Byzantine times, the Karaköy docks, once notorious for their seedy establishments, have undergone significant gentrification over the past 15 years. This transformation began with a surge of trendy cafés like Karabatak (still a charming spot) and reached new heights with the completion of Galataport in 2021, a $1.7 billion mixed-use project featuring a state-of-the-art underground cruise terminal, a stunning mile-long waterfront promenade, and around 250 retail and dining options that rival those in Dubai.

Just a short stroll from the hotel, you'll find beloved local dining spots like Karaköy Lokantası, known for its delicious meze, Karaköy Gulluoglu, famous for having the city’s finest baklava, and Nato Lokantası, popular for its comforting lunch offerings. Amid the touristy shops in Karaköy, you can discover indie treasures like Mae Zae, showcasing fashion from local designers, and Hiç Crafts, featuring Turkish home goods and textiles. For culture, the Istanbul Modern has finally opened after five years of renovations, showcasing an impressive collection of Turkish 20th-century art alongside temporary exhibitions in a stunning aluminum-clad building by Renzo Piano. (Don’t forget to check out the reflective pool inhabited by seagulls on the museum’s top floor.) Nearby, the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture offers a captivating collection of late Ottoman and early republic art. While indulging in treatments at the Peninsula spa is a must (more details on that later), consider mixing things up with a visit to the historic Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam, housed in a 16th-century building crafted by Mimar Sinan, often referred to as the Michelangelo of Ottoman architecture.

The accommodations

The hotel features 177 guest rooms and suites distributed among four distinct buildings, each exuding its own charm. This results in 22 different room configurations and categories. Even the coziest city view rooms boast a generous 431 square feet. A 600-square-foot Grand Deluxe room may include a private terrace with garden views, while many suites in Building 2 (home to the clock tower) and Building 1 (Merkez Han) offer expansive terraces. The opulent 5,490-square-foot Peninsula Suite, popular among sultans and celebrities, comes complete with its own hammam, gym, and rooftop swimming pool.

Designed by the acclaimed Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu (the visionary behind the Şakirin Mosque on the Asian side), the room interiors embody the Peninsula brand's signature “understated opulence”—a fusion of art deco and Chinese influences—with neutral tones complemented by dark furnishings, lacquered finishes, powder-blue carpets, and elegant lighting fixtures. Fadıllıoğlu has also infused Turkish elements, from exquisite mother-of-pearl inlays on desks to the intricate embroidery on curtains. Every room features original artwork, and the walk-in closets are as spacious as some New York City apartments.

In my room in Building 1, large windows offered a breathtaking view of the water and the Ottoman skyline, prompting me to spend hours savoring Turkish tea from fine china while observing the Bosphorus boat traffic and seagulls. I was also impressed by the hotel's in-room tablet, which controls everything from the curtains to room service and conveniently provides weather updates in 11 languages. The controls in the Marmara marble bathrooms include a hammam mode for creating a romantic ambiance with soft lighting and soothing music.

Culinary Delights

The newest gastronomic hotspot in Istanbul is Gallada, the Peninsula’s rooftop restaurant that boasts panoramic views and seats over 250 guests. This culinary venture is a collaboration with chef Fatih Tutak, the city's master of innovative fine dining. Tutak, an Istanbul native, honed his skills in some of Asia's finest kitchens, including Tokyo’s cutting-edge Nihonryori Ryugin and Noma in Copenhagen. After returning home in 2019, he opened Turk in Bomonti, where his daring tasting menus have earned the restaurant two Michelin stars.

At Gallada, he artfully blends his Asian influences with his Anatolian heritage, creating Silk Route-inspired dishes that reflect the Peninsula brand’s evolution from its 1928 beginnings in Hong Kong to this stunning Bosphorus location. This includes Asian dumplings filled with minced Turkish kebab and wok-fried blue lobster paired with Uyghur lagman noodles. Above the restaurant, the Topside bar, designed to evoke a classic grand yacht beneath the iconic clock tower, attracts the city’s elite with inventive cocktails like the House of Wisdom, featuring mirra-washed rum, falernum, and chocolate.

The hotel’s Lobby restaurant also boasts an impressive cocktail menu, with seating available in its expansive interior or on the picturesque terrace by the water. Here, cocktails honor the building’s history as a passenger terminal, featuring poetically named drinks inspired by Istanbul’s ferry piers and crafted with local ingredients such as sumac, isot pepper, and anisy raki. I was particularly impressed by the elegant pastas from resident Italian chef Alessandro Santi and the chic à la carte breakfast options, including the delightful Turkish çilbir (poached eggs with garlicky yogurt). Even non-guests should indulge in the Peninsula's signature afternoon tea, featuring stunning tiered trays of foie-gras macarons and jasmine custard choux pastry that are almost too beautiful to eat.

Staff and Service

The warmth of traditional Turkish hospitality blends seamlessly with the Peninsula’s hallmark of discreet, polished service. The staff’s enthusiasm for the hotel’s architecture and history often leads to delightful impromptu mini lectures. During my visit, the concierge took the time to investigate the origins of a unique local celebration I encountered, and when I checked out amid street closures, the valet cheerfully carried my bags to the distant taxi stand. Any request for extra amenities, like shampoo or pillows, is met with swift delivery.

For those who prefer minimal interaction, the hotel offers an e-concierge service known as PenChat, alongside a digital valet box in each room for delivering items like your morning newspaper or freshly polished shoes. Yet, it's the personal touch that truly enhances the experience here.

Accessibility

All of the hotel’s indoor public areas, including the spa, are accessible to wheelchair users, and there are two ADA-compliant guest rooms located in the main Bauhaus-style building. However, outside the hotel, the sidewalks can be uneven and riddled with potholes, and construction is ongoing in various parts of the neighborhood. Exercise caution while navigating the area.

Turkish Artistry

The Peninsula’s commitment to celebrating its locale and heritage is evident in countless details. The finest local artisans, or ustas, were recruited to craft the marble, stained glass, and exquisite mother-of-pearl inlays known as sedef. The corridor photographs are by the esteemed Turkish mid-twentieth-century photographer Ara Guler, famed for his evocative black-and-white depictions of Istanbul. Interested? The hotel can organize a Guler-themed city tour for you. The copper-toned panels above the beds in guest rooms are designer Zeynep Fadillioglu’s tribute to the stonework found in remote Anatolian mosques. Her impressive design for the underground spa features an 82-foot swimming pool with lighting fixtures inspired by Islamic honeycomb niches (muqarnas) that beautifully reflect in the water.

Alongside Fadillioglu and chef Fatih Tutak, the Peninsula also collaborated with other talented local creatives. The stylish cream-colored staff uniforms are designed by Turkish fashion icon Arzu Kaprol; the hotel’s remarkable collection of traditional and contemporary Turkish art was curated by the renowned Çağla Saraç, while the in-room bath products were custom-created by the fragrance experts behind the Istanbul-based brand Nishane. Consider taking a few home: they come in eco-friendly, vintage-style tubes and are poetically named Citrus Fig & Bosphorus Breeze, serving as a delightful reminder of Istanbul.