Blissfully located on the Bosphorus outside Istanbul centre, this new hotel challenges for the title as best in the city. Fun, fresh, understated but highly luxurious, with the expected Mandarin Oriental service and quality.
Stay at MO Bosphorus
Green gardens and Bosphorus blue, a peaceful oasis away from the Istanbul hustle. Muted tones and a dash of the Middle East, a place to rest and relax before jumping into the city bustle. Opened in 2021, this grand Mandarin Oriental property is quickly establishing itself as the premier place to stay in Istanbul. It’s small enough to become a home away from home, with the leafy location helping you experience a very authentic side to the city. But it’s also large enough to add signature Istanbul and Mandarin Oriental experiences, like the spa, wellness, eateries, pools, gardens and bars. This place exudes quality and we love how the design is a more locally influenced than most other Mandarin Oriental properties.
Location
Surrounded by parks and pine groves, directly on the shores of the Bosphorus, this hotel is an out-of-the-centre oasis. It’s further away than even the Four Seasons Bosphorus and getting to Sultanahmet is an annoyingly long journey by road. You’re much better off getting around by boat. The flipside to the location is its authenticity - there are few other tourists and a beautiful local socialite crowd.
Rooms
In a shift from typical Mandarin Oriental design, this new hotel goes for brown and beige colouring with a strong Turkish influence. It’s understated and not the sleek, neutral design you may know from their other properties. Bathrooms are colossal and a real highlight of all the rooms. We recommend avoiding the basic rooms as these overlook the hotel driveway. Get one of the Bosphorus view rooms or suites and it’s a completely different experience.
Who is it for
If you plan only two days in Istanbul and a busy itinerary of sights and attractions, this hotel is not for you. It’s a much better option for longer stays combining experiences with downtime, especially for people who want to explore more than just the Grand Bazaar. While the hotel does have nice multi-bedroom suites, there’s not too much for kids to do and the atmosphere is quite adult orientated.
Facilities & activities
Even when opening a new hotel during COVID, Mandarin Oriental nailed it with the service. It’s to be expected of this hotel brand and certainly a standout of your stay. The spa offers a quintessential hammam experience and the swimming pools are calm places overlooking the river. Novikov is the standout amenity and the hotel’s trendsetting heartbeat, where beautiful people dine and drink on exceptional menus.
MO Bosphorus Photo Gallery
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