Discover a captivating haven right in the heart of pulsating Istanbul at the Shangri-La Bosphorus
Anchored on the European coast of Istanbul’s iconic strait, Shangri-La Bosphorus radiates a fascinating melange of influences from the East and West. The beautiful property—which was originally a tobacco warehouse by the Turkish architect Victor Adaman—was built in 1929, a very important year in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. After serving as a warehouse for decades, a prominent family took over the estate and subsequently converted it into a five-star hotel in partnership with the globally lauded Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts group. The hotel officially opened its doors six years ago making it the one and only Shangri-La property in Turkey.
“It was built during the foundation years of the Republic. The building is right next to the Presidential Working Office and farther down is the Dolmabahçe Palace where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk [founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey] held office during his time,” shares Reto Klauser, General Manager of Shangri-La Bosphorus.
Today, the Dolmabahçe Palace remains a popular tourist destination with its splendid baroque exterior and a mixture of traditional and European interiors—reminiscent of the powerful Ottoman Empire days. “What I like about the location of the hotel is that it is very accessible. You can actually explore iconic sites in the Beşiktaş district by foot. Or you can hop on one of the ferries and have a tour of the many sides of the Bosphorus just like how the locals would commute on a regular day. If you’re lucky, you can get a free ride on these ferries on public holidays,” he continues.