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Raffles İstanbul
Istanbul, Turkey · Raffles · Grand Luxury
Emre Arolat and Tabanlıoğlu Architecture raised this 134-metre Raffles inside Zorlu Center, opening 1 September 2014 beside residences, a mall, and the city's main performing-arts complex. About 200 artworks fill the public rooms, a 3,000-square-metre spa ranks among Istanbul's largest, and three Turkish hammams plus indoor and outdoor pools back the Bosphorus-facing suites.
- 185 rooms
- Opened 2014
- Neighborhood: Zorlu Center / Beşiktaş/Levent area
- Architect: Emre Arolat & Tabanlıoğlu Architecture
About Raffles İstanbul
- Opened 1 September 2014 as part of the Zorlu Center mixed-use development on Istanbul's European side.
- Emre Arolat and Tabanlıoğlu Architecture designed the 134-metre (440 ft) tower.
- The hotel displays an art collection of around 200 works by international and local artists.
- Its spa covers about 3,000 square metres and includes three Turkish hammams.
- A ballroom seating about 1,200 people links directly to the Zorlu Performing Arts Center.
History
Raffles İstanbul opened in 2014 as part of the Zorlu Center mixed-use development on the European side of the city. The hotel was developed as a contemporary luxury property rather than a historic conversion, with architecture by Emre Arolat and Tabanlıoğlu Architecture. It quickly became known for Bosphorus views, large rooms and suites, and its integration with one of İstanbul’s major retail and arts complexes. In 2025, the hotel highlighted a #1 Readers’ Favourite Hotels in Europe ranking in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards ([Raffles İstanbul](https://www.raffles.com/istanbul/)).
The setting
Raffles İstanbul nestles within Zorlu Center on Vadi Caddesi in the Levazım neighbourhood of Beşiktaş, a landmark mixed-use development that transformed a hilltop site near the upscale enclaves of Etiler and Levent into Istanbul's most sophisticated luxury lifestyle destination, housing flagship retail and the Zorlu Performing Arts Center — the city's premier venue for international concerts and theatre. The elevated site commands Bosphorus panoramas stretching toward both the Black Sea and the Marmara, while Dolmabahçe Palace is 19 minutes by transit and nearby Beşiktaş and Ortaköy promenades are readily accessible, offering the rare combination of a contemporary luxury campus with sweeping Ottoman waterway views. 4 km from Taksim Square.
Restaurants and bars
- Writers Bar — Bar
- İsokyo — Restaurant · Asian (Japan, Thailand, Korea, China flavours with Turkish i
- Lavinia Lounge — Café · Afternoon tea and buffet
- Long Bar — Bar · Cocktails and gourmet bites
- Bosphorus Lounge — Bar
Experiences
- Legendary Raffles Butler Service — Dedicated Butler team providing refined personal service to guests, available 24 hours a day.
- Raffles Istanbul Signature Massage — A 90-minute signature massage indulgence in the spacious spa.
- Afternoon Tea at Lavinia Lounge — Afternoon tea served at Lavinia Lounge, set in the art-filled lobby.
- Hammam Treatment — A traditional hammam experience at Raffles Spa, promising total relaxation.
- The Dream of Istanbul Art Tour — A complimentary tour of the hotel's commissioned artworks, from the whimsical to the monumental.
- Raffles Spa — A spa spanning over 3,000 m² with treatments, Turkish hammams, saunas, an indoor pool and hot and cold zones.
Amenities
- Spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Hammam
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Kids' club
- Pet-friendly
- Butler service
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (2026)
- Travel + Leisure World's Best Hotels (2025)
Open Raffles İstanbul in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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