The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH) has unveiled a first look at The Peninsula Istanbul, opening in February 2023.
Set along the banks of the Bosphorus in Istanbul’s historic Karaköy district, The Peninsula Istanbul will anchor a new waterfront revitalisation project called Galataport, to include a promenade, museums and art galleries, restaurants, boutiques and a cruise ship port.
The hotel comprises four separate buildings: three of which are protected historical landmarks dating to the early 1900s, each carefully renovated, set amid a quarter kilometre expanse of blooming gardens along the Bosphorus Strait – the convergence point of East and West in Turkey’s most cosmopolitan city. Restoration work was done in collaboration with The Heritage Board, to ensure the design is in keeping with the local history and culture.
Celebrating Turkish art and design and the juxtaposition between old and new, the hotel draws inspiration from its local surroundings – including Bosphorus boats and the city’s Grand Bazaar – displaying a carefully curated handpicked selection of artwork from both renowned and upcoming Turkish artists.
“The opening of The Peninsula Istanbul represents a glorious new chapter for our brand, and for luxury travellers,” says Peter Borer, Chief Operating Officer of HSH. “With our new property, we are delighted to offer a magnificent new location that fulfils the most discerning travel dreams.”
With 177 opulent rooms and generous suites spread among its four waterfront buildings, The Peninsula Istanbul will offer guests a wide range of accommodation choices. Many will provide sweeping Bosphorus views from large windows, balconies or private terraces; others will include direct access to the property’s gardens, outdoor swimming pool, private boat dock, and stylish luxury boutiques. All will be decorated with bespoke furnishings, original art, modern Turkish design elements like wood-and-mother-of-pearl inlay, kilim-style carpets and bathrooms clad in Marmara marble. The 510m2 Peninsula Suite meanwhile will feature its own hammam, gym, and rooftop swimming pool.
The hotel’s F&B offering centres around a rooftop restaurant and bar that offers sophisticated Turk-Asian cuisine, celebrating the diverse gastronomic traditions found across the Silk Road, served across several memorable dining areas for up to 350 people. Dining areas include an expansive rooftop terrace with unparalleled views over the Bosphorus and hotel gardens; as well as a main dining room where the décor reflects the confluence of Asian and Turkish cultures. In keeping with cherished tradition, the hotel will also offer signature Peninsula Afternoon Tea and globally inspired fare at The Lobby restaurant, whose 260 seats occupy a dramatic, airy space, with double-height ceilings, enormous windows and water views from both main and mezzanine levels, which evokes its history as an early 20th-century ferry passenger terminal.
Event spaces will include a grand ballroom that, when combined with its Terrace can accommodate 820 guests for a seated banquet and 1,300 for standing cocktails. In addition, the hotel offers two intimate conference rooms, VIP private dining and wine-tasting areas, and numerous alfresco spaces amid blossoming gardens overlooking the Bosphorus – all paired with state-of-the-art technology.
At the 1,675m2 Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre, indulgent offerings will include opulent hammams – traditional Turkish steam rooms – along with a dramatically lit, 25m indoor swimming pool, and an extensive menu of treatments to enhance well-being, beauty, and relaxation that can be enjoyed in eight private treatment rooms.
