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| Goodbye to the Four Seasons Hotel at the Bosphorus, for now, and see you again |
Christine Cunanan
experiences the best of Istanbul at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Bosphorus
city straddling two continents and yet anchored on the waters that flow in from
the Black Sea and eventually rush out to the Sea of Marmara, separating the
continents of Europe and Asia.
On the shores of this 32-kilometer narrow stretch of water,
sometimes calm and occasionally tempestuous, the Four Seasons Bosphorus sits
regally like a beautiful lady of the Ottoman Empire, practically a destination
in itself, especially for frequent travelers to Istanbul like myself who wish
to revisit the city in relaxed style.
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| With a clear views of Turkish skies from day to night, it’s impossible for mind and body not to feel relaxed at the Four Seasons Bosphorus |
trip, all I wanted to do was walk around the old neighborhoods of Galata and
Karakoy discovering quirky shops and cool cafes, visit the Istanbul Modern, and
then spend the rest of the time on R&R right by one of the most strategic
waterways in the world.
sights of Istanbul and also so comfortably away from it that the
hustle and bustle seem centuries away, is most ideal for a relaxing holiday.
On the other hand, the Four Seasons Resort Marrakech may require some patience to reach, but we assure you that the hours-long drive is worth everything and more. See the captivating North African hotel that’s a destination in itself in this article.
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| The Bosphorus, of the most strategic waterways in the world |
room which is one of the most attractive rooms in the hotel. Located in the historic
main building, a 19th century former Ottoman palace, it still had
remnants of its grand old self, with unusually high ceilings and old-fashioned windows
facing the Bosphorus so that I could see the Asian side and the Maiden tower in
the distance.
turn-of-the-century in feel – dark furniture and plush fabrics – although with
all the magical gadgets of modern technology.
of the delicious breakfast buffet worthy of a Pasha at Aqua, the hotel’s contemporary
Italian restaurant.
I began my days in a wonderfully languid fashion at this
sleek but cheerful venue, with freshly pressed pomegranate juice and a typical
Turkish breakfast of assorted cheeses, clotted cream, olives, honey, and breads.
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| A common Turkish meal: a plate of marinated cold fish enjoyed as is, or with a side of bread |
resist sampling the extensive selection of marinated fish afterwards. Seeing
the fish laid out so beautifully on large plates always made me hungry again.
it was almost time for lunch – which I always skipped in favor of clocking in
the hours at the spa in an effort to regain youthfulness and vitality. Aside
from the usual five-star hotel spa facilities, the hotel’s 2100-square meter
marble spa offers a traditional Turkish hammam.
book the Turkish hammam experience on one of these spa days, of course. This
began with a short steam treatment followed by a body scrub, foaming wash and
massage that ended just in time for afternoon tea in the hotel gardens where
tables are set up right next to the sea so that on a beautifully sunny
afternoon this was just about the best place to be.
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| An irresistible plate of seafood as one of my last meals at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Bosphorus |
city full of moments worth savouring slowly that slip by all too quickly, we
were soon reluctantly calling it a day.
All the while sitting at the same spot
outdoors, afternoon tea seamlessly turned into sunset cocktails; and then
darkness crept in and we walked a dozen or so meters back to Aqua, this time
for an authentic Italian dinner of pasta, steaks and gelato cooked by an
Italian chef, reportedly Istanbul’s best.
that is life on the Bosphorus – one of the greatest attractions of Istanbul
itself – that, ironically, the hours had ever so wonderfully slipped by
unnoticed. And this is how it was everyday for the rest of our stay as well,
until it was time to say goodbye to Istanbul and to the Four Seasons Bosphorus.
