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In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 29 guest reviews of Raffles Istanbul. Guests in the sample highlight Service & staff, Food & restaurants and Location. The most common complaints: Morning shift staff could be more organized. A broken item found in one guest's bathroom.

Istanbul, Turkey

Raffles Istanbul

5-Star Hotel

Raffles İstanbul is a unique destination with unparalleled views of this thriving metropolis. The stunning panorama stretches all the way from the Black Sea in the north to the Marmara Sea in the south as it embraces the quaint waterfront mansions, the recently restored Maiden Tower elegantly gracing the Bosphorus, the historical peninsula and the Old City, and extends beyond the Princes’ Islands. And atop one of the city’s prominent hills sits Raffles İstanbul, situated in a prime location on the European side and neighboring the city’s prestigious districts Levent, Ulus and Etiler. Adjacent to the hotel is the vibrant Zorlu Center, where the heart of the city beats to the rhythm of an array of dining outlets, high fashion retailers, luxury brands and a performance arts center, hosting world-class entertainment.

Raffles İstanbul features 185 rooms & suites– some of the largest in the city – all with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies overlooking beautiful views of the city. The sleek modern interiors are enhanced with a large contemporary art collection, much of it specially commissioned from local artists. Bosphorus Lounge offers the residents and guests a space to meet, work, and spend time as they enjoy the magical views of Istanbul with exclusive privileges. And the authentic Raffles touch is embodied by the legendary Raffles Butler Service, which currently extends from Singapore to the company’s hotels around the world.

The outdoor swimming pool embraces breathtaking views over the Istanbul skyline, while the indoor swimming pool, drawing in daylight, welcomes guests every season. Raffles Spa, designed for the mind, body and soul, offers signature treatments and wellness options with a range of amenities, including traditional Turkish bath and saunas, wellness pools, and sensory showers. With multiple access points to the terrace, Raffles Spa features nine treatment rooms, including seven single and two dedicated couple rooms, and a private jacuzzi room. Guests seeking to pamper themselves and rejuvenate in the calm and serene ambiance of Raffles Spa may prefer exclusive treatments such as Hydrafacial, Plasma Light Therapy, Ozone Sauna, Detox Days Program and gülsha hammam.

Raffles İstanbul’s exceptional dining offering includes numerous bars and restaurants from casual dining to world-class gastronomy experiences. Lavinia, located at the heart of the lobby and surrounded by stunning works of art, offers a rich menu of healthy snacks and sweet indulgences displayed in an aesthetic buffet, elevating the traditional afternoon tea experience. Sakhalin Istanbul, a White Rabbit Family restaurant, arrived with its authentic seafood menu to the lobby of Raffles İstanbul. Directly accessible from Zorlu Center, the terrace is home to several of the hotel’s excellent dining options, each promising to delight the guests. One such dining establishment is İsokyo, which offers a delightful Asian flavours, encompassing the culinary traditions of China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. İsokyo also boasts a unique interior design and a spacious terrace bar, providing a captivating dining experience. It also houses the Long Bar, a contemporary reinterpretation of the iconic Long Bar in Singapore. Situated between İsokyo and Long Bar, Champagne Bar is the place to be for meeting in style and experiencing special moments with an exclusive champagne collection presented with a touch of sparkle. Writers Bar, drawing from the concept of a gentlemen’s club and inspired by the literary geniuses of the century, creates memorable experiences for guests. Featuring a sophisticated architectural design that blends classic and modern elements, Writers Bar offers an exclusive environment to its members and their guests with the impeccable service and luxury approach of Raffles İstanbul.

Raffles İstanbul features a variety of event venues, including a grand ballroom and conference rooms, with capacities ranging from 10 to 1,200 people. Raffles Ballroom, spread on a total area of 1,200 square meters (~ 13,000 square feet), provides a magnificent space to host local and international social events, galas, ceremonies, and prestigious conferences. Raffles İstanbul also offers eight conference rooms in different sizes for corporate events and company meetings. And being adjacent to Zorlu PSM, where the heart of Istanbul's culture and arts beats, comes with benefits such as easy access to some of the city’s most popular event venues, including Turkcell Stage, Turkcell Platinum Stage, Sky Lounge, %100 Studio, Cheers, and Touché.

Once the seat of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires and home to many civilizations over the course of history, Istanbul is unlike any other city in the world. And Raffles İstanbul, overlooking the beautiful Bosphorus, is a modern oasis at the heart of this timeless city, blending modern luxury with rich heritage and culture for the discerning world travelers.

5-Star Hotel
Istanbul, Turkey
7.2 km to the centre of Istanbul
32 km to Istanbul Airport (IST)
Indoor swimming pool
Free Wifi
Airport shuttle
Spa and wellness center
Parking on site
Family rooms

Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews

Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 10 October 2026 · How we review hotels

Modernist travellers prioritising premium shopping and contemporary amenities will find this hotel highly suitable. It features direct indoor access to the Zorlu Center and is rated exceptionally by Booking.com guests. Guestrooms feature spacious private terraces boasting expansive Bosphorus views, alongside extensive wellness facilities. Potential guests should note that its modern complex setting lacks historic charm, and the property is located far from the historic Old Town.

Positioned atop a hill on the European side of Istanbul, Raffles Istanbul blends contemporary art and sleek Turkish architecture within the upscale Zorlu Center complex. The hotel's generous private terraces and world-class spa cater perfectly to business travellers and luxury shoppers seeking modern comforts over historic-quarter immersion.

Guests score it 9.3 out of 10 — the average across the 14 hotels we list in Istanbul is 9.2.

  • The hotel is directly integrated with Zorlu Center, giving guests effortless access to high-end designer boutiques, upscale restaurants, and a major performing arts venue.
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows and elevated positioning offer sweeping, unobstructed vistas spanning from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

Free PDF: what guests really say about Raffles Istanbul

The Tripplo Report gathers the whole analysis in one PDF, ready in seconds.

  • Pros and cons in every category guests mention
  • The complaints that come up again and again
  • Room guide and price analysis
  • Alternatives worth comparing

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Should you book it?

Book it if you want

  • Spa and wellness as a reason to book
  • Guests who plan the day around the pool
  • Travellers wanting pools and a spa in one place

Rooms & which one to pick

  • Deluxe City Room1 king bedsleeps 240 m²Free WifiAir conditioningPrivate bathroomTea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
  • Premier King Room1 king bedsleeps 245 m²Free WifiAir conditioningPrivate bathroomTea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
  • Deluxe Room with Bosphorus View1 king bedsleeps 250 m²Free WifiAir conditioningPrivate bathroomTea/Coffee Maker in All RoomsBosphorus View
  • One-Bedroom King Suite with City View1 king bed, 1 sofa bedsleeps 470 m²Free WifiAir conditioningPrivate bathroomTea/Coffee Maker in All RoomsCity View
  • Junior King Suite with Single Bed1 twin bed and 1 king bedsleeps 475 m²Free WifiAir conditioningPrivate bathroomTea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
  • Corner Premier King Room1 king bedsleeps 260 m²Free WifiAir conditioningPrivate bathroomTea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
  • Bosphorus Suite1 king bedsleeps 4100 m²Free WifiAir conditioningPrivate bathroomTea/Coffee Maker in All RoomsBosphorus View

Room types as listed on Booking.com; availability varies by date.

Prices at Raffles Istanbul

When we last checked (13 October 2026), a 2-night stay for two adults cost from €1,168 in total (€584 per night).

Prices sampled daily by Tripplo for a two-adult stay about a month ahead, in EUR. Your dates may differ — use the price check to see live availability.

Typical price per night: €593. Lowest €549 (check-in 4 Oct), highest €720 (check-in 23 Sept).

Friday and Saturday check-ins cost about the same per night as the rest of the week.

Price per night for check-ins from 22 Sept to 12 Nov, measured daily by Tripplo for 2 nights and two adults, one month ahead.

Photos from previous guests

Photos provided by Google

What guests say

Reviews from Google
3 months ago
“The room was always very clean, tidy, and well prepared. The team paid attention to small details and took care of the things that mattered to us without us even having to ask. The morning breakfast service was also excellent. Serkan was especially kind, friendly, and helpful when taking our breakfast orders, which made the experience even more pleasant. Thank you for the great hospitality.”
— rasoul mansouri
3 months ago
“A perfect place for business meetings and professional gatherings. The elegant atmosphere, excellent service, and luxurious surroundings create the ideal environment for productive conversations. The staff are attentive and welcoming, making every visit a truly enjoyable experience. Highly recommended for both business and special occasions.”
— Elahe Moghaddam
4 months ago
“I rarely write reviews, but our experience at Raffles Istanbul truly deserved one. I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at many luxury hotels around the world, and this hotel genuinely stands out as one of the best experiences I’ve had. What makes it so special is not just the beautiful property, but the people. Every single staff member we interacted with was incredibly kind, welcoming, attentive, and genuinely caring. The level of service felt so personal and heartfelt, and it made us feel completely at home throughout our stay. Thank you to the entire team for such a memorable experience. This will absolutely be my go-to hotel whenever I’m in Istanbul, and I already look forward to coming back.”
— dana al mutawa
3 months ago
“Our stay at Raffles Istanbul was exceptional, and one of the highlights was the outstanding service provided by Deniz from the Concierge team. From the moment we arrived, Deniz was warm, professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated to making our stay memorable. Every recommendation and every arrangement was handled flawlessly, with remarkable attention to detail. It is rare to encounter such a high level of hospitality, and Deniz truly embodies the standards of a world-class luxury hotel. Thank you for making our visit to Istanbul so special. We look forward to returning”
— Javid Sadikhov
5 months ago
“I’m happy to say this hotel fully lives up to the Raffles reputation. The hospitality was exceptional and the level of care from the team truly stood out. The rooms were spotless, beautifully designed, and equipped with amazing amenities. The bed was super comfortable and the view over Istanbul was incredible. Everything felt thoughtful and well maintained. The food was also excellent throughout our stay. What really made the experience unforgettable was the service. A special thank you to our butler, Mohamed, who is genuinely one of the best hotel professionals I have ever encountered. He went above and beyond in every way and made a huge difference in our stay. I would also love to recognize Halit, Oguz, Bekir, Bora, Melisa, and Merve. It was a genuine pleasure to meet such kind and friendly people, and their warmth and attentiveness made our stay even more special. It definitely was a pleasure staying here. Both my mom and I are already looking forward to coming back.”
— Sophie

What guests actually say

Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 29 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.

The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.

Food & restaurants

  • +Breakfast described as a 'foodie delight'
  • +Breakfast service excellent with attentive staff (e.g. Serkan)
  • +Food quality excellent throughout stay
  • –Staff morning shift needs more organization
”The morning breakfast service was also excellent... Serkan was especially kind, friendly, and helpful when taking our breakfast orders.” — guest, translated

Service & staff

  • +Staff extremely friendly, polite and helpful
  • +Concierge and reception staff praised by name (Deniz, Serkan)
  • +Thoughtful personal touches for guests (e.g. baby amenities)
  • +Professional handling of complaints, including free upgrade
  • –Morning shift staff could be more organized
”Deniz was warm, professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated to making our stay memorable... a world-class luxury hotel.” — guest, translated

The rooms

  • +Rooms spotless and beautifully designed
  • +Huge, well-appointed bathrooms
  • +Comfortable beds and great views over Istanbul
  • –One guest found something broken in the bathroom
”The rooms were spotless, beautifully designed, and equipped with amazing amenities. The bed was super comfortable.” — guest, translated

Condition & cleanliness

  • +Rooms kept very clean and tidy
  • +Attention to small details noted by guests
  • –A broken item found in one guest's bathroom

Location

  • +Excellent location with great views of the city
  • +Convenient surroundings praised repeatedly
”Beautiful hotel, luxury service, and excellent location.” — guest, translated

Pools, beach & aquapark, noise levels and value for money are mentioned too rarely in the sample for an honest picture — we don't guess.

Get the full analysis as a free PDF ↑

Frequently asked questions

How far is Raffles Istanbul from the airport?

Raffles Istanbul is 32 km from Istanbul Airport (IST).

How far is Raffles Istanbul from the centre of Istanbul?

Raffles Istanbul is 7.2 km from the centre of Istanbul.

How do guests rate Raffles Istanbul?

Raffles Istanbul is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google, based on 6,389 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 9.3/10 from 395 guest reviews.

How many stars does Raffles Istanbul have?

Raffles Istanbul is a 5-star hotel.

What amenities does Raffles Istanbul offer?

Raffles Istanbul offers indoor swimming pool, free Wifi, airport shuttle, spa and wellness center, parking on site and family rooms.

Weather & sea temperature — Istanbul

Right now: 18° air · 20° sea

Avg daytime max (°C)Sea (°C)Warmest months
Data: Open-Meteo

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Zorlu Center Besiktas, Besiktas, 34340