Unveiling a legacy of Asian hospitality that began in the 1970s with its inaugural outpost in Singapore, this esteemed international hotel group arrived in Istanbul in 2013. Located on the European shores of the Bosphorus within a captivating 1930s building, the hotel graces the Beşiktaş district, a mere 15-minute stroll from the iconic Dolmabahçe Palace. Many of the 186 rooms and suites boast breathtaking Bosphorus views, blending Ottoman glamour with refined Asian design elements. Indulge your palate at the hotel's four restaurants and bars, including the Shang Palace, where guests are treated to an authentic Chinese-Cantonese culinary experience. Expect a menu of authentic tastes like Chinese dumplings, roasted whole Peking duck, and dry-braised hand-pulled noodles among others ―all paired with Turkish wines.
TIME OUT TIP: Explore the maritime history of the Ottomans at the Naval Museum right next door. The best part of the collection is a hall full of imperial caiques, long narrow rowboats used by the royal family for daily excursions and ceremonies along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.