Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opened its second property in Istanbul today, in an idyllic location on the European banks of the legendary Bosphorus strait.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus imbues a 19^th century Ottoman palace with a contemporary elegance that reflects the changing face of modern Istanbul. "It's a pleasure to be opening our second property in this beautiful city," said Marcos Bekhit, General Manager and Regional Vice President. "Istanbul is a mosaic of cultures and designs and the synergy between our two Hotels enables us to offer a complete city experience from two very different perspectives."

The Hotel has 166 rooms within the original palace building and two new wings. Light, understated interiors reflect the coastal location, while decorative Turkish touches and traditional artworks allude to the Bosphorus as the former summer retreat of the Ottoman elite.

Extensive outdoor amenities - including heated pool and whirlpool, bar pavilions and the Wedding Garden - are located along a 190 m (623 ft) waterfront terrace, framed by the Bosphorus and its ever-changing landscape of boats, yachts, cruise-ships and ferries. Beneath the terrace is a 2,100 sq m (22,605 sq ft) spa, sky-lit from above, featuring three hammams / Turkish baths. Function facilities include two ballrooms, which can accommodate receptions for up to 1,000 people.

The Hotel's main restaurant, Aqua, takes its inspiration from the Bosphorus, accenting dishes from Mediterranean, coastal territories with rich, local elements. The restaurant is relaxed and unpretentious, designed to maximise the languid enjoyment of the waterfront location. There is also an al fresco Pool Bar and Grill and contemporary and comfortable Lobby Bar and Lounge.

The Hotel marks a distinct change from the company's first property in the city, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet - a converted neo-classic prison in the heart of the city's Old Town. The service, however, remains unmistakably Four Seasons, offering a seamless continuation of the standards for which the original property is so revered.

"The Bosphorus property has the same winning combination of Turkish hospitality and Four Seasons care as its Sultanahmet sister," explains Bekhit, "And with many of the Hotel's features and nearly a quarter of the accommodation featuring views across the Bosphorus strait to the hills of Asia, it has a relaxed, coastal feel - the perfect base from which to experience the vibrancy and elegance of modern Istanbul."