Review: Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus Istanbul

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul promises an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most alluring cities.

Istanbul is a frenetic city filled with colour, fragrance and energy. And Mandarin Oriental’s luxury urban resort may just be the perfect antidote. Designed with a modern Ottoman aesthetic and offering sweeping views of the water and Istanbul’s skyline, it’s the perfect place to base yourself to explore this captivating city in Türkiye.

Here’s everything you need to know before booking a stay at the ultra-chic Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul.

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus backstory

Opened in 2021, the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul to use the hotel’s official name, is the second MO property in Türkiye after the Mandarin Oriental Bodrum.

The development took several abandoned properties on the banks of the Bosphorus in the upmarket suburb Kuruçeşme and reimagined the site as a luxury precinct now favoured by visiting royals, dignitaries and celebrities.

We use the word precinct deliberately as the entire property has a plethora of restaurants (3), bars and lounges (3), pools (3), spas including hammams and shopping for a relatively modest 77 rooms and 23 suites.

an aerial view of the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Istanbul’s urban resort is the epitome of coastal luxury.

The hotel’s design cleverly hides the full size of the property by going subterranean—three floors underground and four unobtrusive floors above ground.

A series of sunken gardens bring green and natural light into the guestrooms and public spaces (ballrooms, meeting rooms and the spa) below the street and water level.

The facade echoes the historic Yali mansions built along the Bosphorus by wealthy locals in the middle to end of the Ottoman empire.

Hospitality design legends Tihany Design have brought their muted ultra-luxury aesthetic to the interiors to create one of the finest hotels in the city.

a look inside the Royal Bosphorus Suite bathroom, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus Istanbul — The Royal Bosphorus Suite’s spacious bathroom is swathed in marble and equipped with two oversized vanities and a freestanding bath.

First Impressions

The low-profile exterior and subdued marble facade are a soothing response to the overstimulation of Istanbul.

the Royal Bosphorus Suite Dining Room — Enjoy dinner in your private dining area within the Royal Bosphorus Suite.

Turning into the sweeping porte cochère there is instant calm. The grand double-height lobby opens to the belvedere marble floors and French chandelier. The impact is a sense of elegance and space.

the entrance to the Royal Bosphorus Suite, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus Istanbul — The ultra-chic interior exudes opulence.

There are always guests moving through the entrance foyer and lobby from rooms to bars, to spa, pool and lounges however it never feels crowded or busy.

the living room at the Presidential Suite of Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — The stylish suites feature handsome tones and elegant pendant lights.

The rooms and suites

Typical of the Mandarin Oriental brand, all room types, from entry to suite are oversized.

a balcony facing the sea at Mandarin Bosporus Room — Private balconies offer unobstructed views of the picturesque waterfront.

The rooms are true to the elegance of the brand with muted chocolate and velvet palette and high-end finishes.

the Royal Bosphorus Suite living room — The Royal Bosphorus Suite offers spacious dining and a large lounge area.

Soft furnishings have signature patterns that echo the famous kilims and carpets synonymous with Istanbul.

a look inside the living room of the Mandarin Bosphorus Suite — The luxurious suite features large glass doors and windows that create an indoor-outdoor flow.

The further you move up the room type the higher the room, with the best room types taking advantage of the grand sweeping views of the Bosphorus, the 15th July Martyrs Bridge (formerly the Bosphorus Bridge) and the Asian side of the city. Clever design means the majority (about 80%) of the rooms do have Bosphorus views.

sea view from the Presidential Suite Terrace, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Take in the beauty of the Bosphorus from your Presidential Suite Terrace.

Mandarin Oriental Rooms

The entry-level rooms are those below the street level in the previously mentioned sunken green oasis. These rooms come with a balcony and are home to a lounge, table and chairs that open into this sun-well space.

Entry-level rooms are spacious enough to accommodate the queen-sized bed, lounge, desk, and balcony all with a walk-in robe, and bathrooms with double sinks.

Oriental Bosphorus Suite

Larger than two New York City apartments, the reviewers’ two-bedroom Oriental Bosphorus Suite is atop the centre wing of the hotel with three private terraces. The main terrace reveals spectacular 180-degree views of the Bosphorus, bridge and Asia and will be cherished for life.

the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus exterior at night — The Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus features sweeping views of the water.

The two bedrooms are separated by a wide open hallway with a kitchenette and a hidden guest lavatory, A lounge, dining room table and work desk create a communal space between the two sleeping quarters.

the bedroom at Mandarin Bosphorus Suite, Istanbul — Bed down at the Bosphorus Suite.

Each bedroom has an ensuite, with the master bedroom bathtub and walk-in robe and private access to the third terrace.

the dressing room at the Royal Bosphorus Suite, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — The suite is fitted with luxurious features like a walk-in closet.

The facilities

Mandarin Oriental Restaurants and Bars

There are two not to be missed moments in the restaurants and bars of the Mandarin Oriental, Bosphorus, Istanbul. Firstly, lounging next to the Bosphorus in the late afternoon sipping cocktails, bubbles or wine at The Bar as the call to prayer echoes from both Europe and Asia in stereo is the great Istanbul moment. The hotel is a local celeb hangout so be ready for some great people watching in all the restaurants.

The Bar at night, Mandarin Oriental, Bosphorus, Istanbul — Cap off the night sipping cocktails, bubbles or wine at The Bar.

The second is most unexpected if not disorientating. Make sure to try at least the Supreme Dim Sum at Hakkasan; a high-end Cantonese eatery that speaks to the Mandarin Oriental’s Hong Kong heritage. The Supreme Dim Sum includes two astonishing dumplings – the Lobster and celery har gau and scallop and chicken shu mai with caviar.

While one may not expect or want to eat Cantonese in Istanbul, Hakkasan proved to be a meal of supreme craft and worth the detour from the anticipated hummus, shish, kebab and pide feast.

a close-up of Cantonese food at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Indulge in succulent Cantonese plates. (Image: Quentin Long)

Olea is an Italian restaurant with a ‘best of Italy’ menu. Think carpaccio di manzo (beef) or polpo (octopus), fritto di calamari and zucchine fiori (fried zucchini flowers).

al fresco dining at Olea Restaurant, the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Take a seat on the sun-filtered deck while dining on an Italian-inspired menu.

Novikov is the elevated buffet with dishes from across Türkiye, Asia and Europe. The Sunday Brunch is modelled on the famous (or infamous depending on who you ask) Dubai brunches.

the dining at Novikov Restaurant, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Wine and dine at the Novikov Restaurant overlooking the sea.

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The Spa and Gym

This is a serious spa. With more than 3500 square metres of space, there is ample area for 11 treatment rooms, two beauty rooms and a VIP room plus a heated indoor pool, three hammams, a sauna and a steam room.

a woman relaxing in the Turkish Hammam, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Indulge in pure bliss and relaxation at the Turkish Hammam.

The gym is probably the size of two regular city gyms. A dedicated spin room and a dedicated pilates and yoga room accompany an enormous weights, bike and treadmill area.

the spa treatment room at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Treat yourself to a relaxing massage.

The Gardens

Special mention must be made of the manicured and extensive gardens. From the circular fountain surrounded by greenery to the sunken oasis and the extensive gardens around the two outdoor pools, this orderly greenery is soothing.

the spa garden at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus — Be surrounded by soothing greenery.

The location

In the upmarket Kuruçeşme suburb, it is close to the popular Bebek and Etiler neighbourhoods and magnificent views of the two main bridges across the Bosphorus.

The hotel has a private jetty and offers boat transfers into many of the major sightseeing, historical and shopping areas of the city.

Details

Address: Kuruçeşme, Muallim Naci Cd. No: 62, 34345 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Your guide to the opulent Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul