Istanbul provides a bewitching backdrop for memorable events, finds Sara Turner.
Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul is ideally placed to link East and West, drawing visitors and business from across the globe. Steeped in history and yet future-focused, it provides a heady mix for inspiring gatherings.
The meeting, conference and event market is big here, and the facilities at the city’s top hotels prove it. While the historical European side of the city has plenty to offer, with well-equipped boardrooms and ballrooms, the forward-looking Asian side has more space, fewer cars on the road and greater room for growth.
If you’re coming to Istanbul on business, it’s worth knowing which side you’ll be based on and sticking to it – traffic flowing across the two bridges is highly congested, which may frustrate efforts to put in a full working day.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
With one of the busiest, and narrowest, shipping lanes in the world, and equally hectic streets, in Istanbul there is always a feeling of intense activity, but some places offer a moment of calm. The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus is one of them, with the waters of the Bosphorus strait, which links the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, lapping at its terrace walls.
The hotel opened in June last year and is the city’s second Four Seasons property, after the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet. The event facilities are particularly geared towards the summer season, with the terrace and gardens accessible from all six meeting rooms and two ballrooms – Atik Pasha divides in two, as does the Bosphorus ballroom, which holds 460 people theatre-style. For informal meetings, Aqua restaurant, which serves Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine, is ideal.
Ciragan Caddesi 28, Besiktas; tel +90 212 381 4000; fourseasons.com
Sheraton Istanbul Atakoy
This property is in a good position – 8km from Ataturk International airport and 10km from the city centre – and is one of the newest hotels in Istanbul, having opened after a complete refurbishment in the spring. It is the second Sheraton property in the city, after the Sheraton Istanbul Maslak.
The location of the hotel means if you’re flying into Ataturk airport on the European side, you won’t have to battle through city-centre traffic before reaching it. And while it doesn’t have views of the Bosphorus, it does overlook the Sea of Marmara.
Meeting facilities include two ballrooms and three meeting rooms, the largest of which can take up to 180 people for a reception. The Ceremony ballroom features pale carpets contrasted with dark wood panelling and a funky set of classic chandeliers covered in a light gauze.
The 285-room hotel also has two restaurants – Cookbook, serving international and Turkish cuisine, and Asian Fusion, offering modern Far Eastern food. Another Starwood property, the W Istanbul, is set to open a new conference centre with four meeting venues in September.
Sahilyolu, Atakoy; tel +90 212 560 8100; sheraton.com/istanbulatakoy
Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
North along the Bosphorus from the Four Seasons Istanbul, Kempinski’s Ciragan Palace occupies an equally enviable position on the waterfront. Built by Sultan Abdulaziz in 1871, its interiors were largely destroyed by fire in 1910 and it was left empty for almost 80 years. In the 1980s, interest in the still magnificent edifice led to its restoration, with the opening of the Kempinski hotel in 1990, part new-build and part old palace.
The 313-room property has 19 meeting rooms, all with free wifi, housed mostly in the original palace and decorated in opulent Ottoman style. There are also two exhibition spaces overlooking the grand entrance and stairway, where you will find an enormous chandelier. The ballroom has a capacity of 1,100 delegates theatre-style, while for smaller meetings, the Ottoman room is stunning.
The only section of the original palace to survive the fire was the hammam, made of intricately carved blocks of stone, which is now used as an unusual event space. The surrounding gardens and terraces can be hired out for informal meetings or summer parties.
Ciragan Caddesi 32; tel +90 212 326 4646; kempinski-istanbul.com
The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul
Located high on a hill on the European side of Istanbul, the Ritz-Carlton commands sweeping views of the city as it creeps down to the water’s edge. The hotel is currently refreshing its soft furnishings and is a good option for medium-sized events.
The main space is the 695 sqm Ritz-Carlton ballroom, which splits into three smaller areas. It doesn’t have any natural light, although its foyer does. On the same floor are a further six venues, and the three that have natural light – Heybeli, Buyukada and the Boardroom – boast Bosphorus views, as does Cam, on the mezzanine level.
For an informal drink or a meeting with a client, try the RC Bar, decorated like an English private members’ club, with leather armchairs and an open fire. To wind down when the work’s done, try one of the hammam treatments in the hotel’s spa, which will see you massaged, scrubbed, covered in thousands of tiny soap bubbles, rinsed, and left feeling revitalised with baby-soft skin.
Suzer Plaza, Elmadag, Sisli; tel +90 212 334 4444; ritzcarlton.com
Swissotel the Bosphorus Istanbul
Near the Ritz-Carlton is the elegant Swissotel, which boasts captivating views over the city and bustling waterway. Swissotel the Bosphorus Istanbul has a whopping 5,900 sqm of events space over three floors, among the largest facilities in the city, and the meetings rooms on the tenth floor have recently been refurbished.
The Fuji ballroom can cater for up to 1,600 people theatre-style and looks out over Dolmabahce Palace, while Neuchatel on the seventh floor can accommodate up to 400 guests, and the fifth-floor Bern room up to 120 guests. For smaller meetings, Chamonix on the tenth level can be used for boardroom sessions of up to nine people.
The vast lobby lounge, despite its size, is perfect for an informal meeting or, depending on the hour of the day, Turkish coffee, afternoon tea or post-work cocktails – its size gives it an air of comfortable anonymity, and the view of the Bosphorus through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows is outstanding. In the summer months, the fine-dining Gaja rooftop restaurant offers a cool breeze to accompany the vistas.
The hotel also has Chalet, an eatery specialising in Swiss and Alpine cuisine, and Miyako, serving Japanese and Far Eastern dishes. To unwind, the Amrita spa and wellness centre has outdoor and indoor pools, a spa bath, a gym, a sauna and treatment rooms.
Bayildim Caddesi 2, Macka, Besiktas; tel +90 212 326 1100; istanbul.swissotel.com
Istanbul Marriott Asia
If you’re flying into Sabiha Gokcen International airport, which is due to open a new terminal later this year, or are holding an event on the Asian side of the city, the Istanbul Marriott Asia is well worth considering. The 238-room property was the area’s first international five-star hotel to open, in 2007, and has 12 function rooms, including three ballrooms with natural light. The Safir and Lapis Junior ballrooms, with a capacity of 900 and 225 people theatre-style respectively, can each be divided into three smaller rooms, while the Yakut ballroom can host up to 450 guests.
Most of the meeting facilities are located on the first floor, although two small meeting rooms – Ametist and Amber – are on the second level. On the 22nd floor there are two boardrooms that can hold up to 14 people and have views across the city to the sea. The outdoor pool terrace is a great spot for evening cocktails.
In June, Marriott International opened its first Courtyard by Marriott hotel in the city near Istanbul Ataturk airport. It has a 300 sqm ballroom and seven smaller meeting rooms.
Kayisdagi Caddesi 1, Atasehir; tel +90 216 570 0000; marriottistanbulasia.com
Titanic Business Hotel
Another good option on the Asian side, also within easy access of Sabiha Gokcen airport, is the Titanic, which opened in June last year. The name of the hotel is a good hint as to whom its main clientele is – it’s very much aimed at the corporate market with impressive conference facilities.
Turkish-owned, and one of five properties in the country belonging to the group (the others being De Luxe Antalya Lara, City Istanbul Taksim, Port Bakirkoy and Comfort Sisli), the hotel has 192 bedrooms and extensive meeting space. There are nine flexible venues, many of which can be split into smaller ones, such as Karina, which divides in two and can host up to 1,100 people for a reception. Wifi is available throughout the building.
For wining and dining there are plenty of options, including four restaurants and a piano bar. There’s a spa and fitness centre with classes in spinning, pilates, circuit training and dance, as well as a kinesis wall, squash courts and a pool.
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa Street 43, Kartal; tel +90 216 309 6868; titanic.com.tr
ALTERNATIVE VENUES
Al Jamal
A Lebanese restaurant that opened two years ago, Al Jamal serves delicious traditional food accompanied by singing and belly dancing. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and you’ll have a great night out. There’s a set menu of mezes to start, followed by meat, then sickly sweet puddings with seasonal fruit. Food and most drinks are included in the price – 140 lira (£55) on weekdays or 165 lira (£65) per person at weekends.
Kadirgalar Caddesi Macka Demokrasi Parki; tel +90 212 219 6530; capamarka.com.tr
Tophane-i Amire Cultural Centre
This centre, run by the Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, is a great venue that has hosted everything from press conferences and product launches to tango festivals and fashion shows.
It was originally built by Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century as a cannon factory, and gives its name to the surrounding area. Today the centre has two buildings, both with high domed ceilings, exposed brickwork and deep windows with views of Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque.
Bogazkesen Caddesi Defterdar Yokusu 2, Tophane; tel +90 212 252 1600
Topaz
This fine-dining restaurant is ideal for an intimate evening with a favourite client, with excellent wine choices and mouth-watering dishes. A six-course Ottoman taster menu is available for 85 lira (£33). The view through the floor-to-ceiling windows is otherworldly, as seagulls swoop and circle above the minarets of a nearby mosque, while the sun sets over the Bosphorus.
Inonu Caddesi 50, Gumussuyu; tel +90 212 249 1001; topazistanbul.com
