Today (September 30, 2015): Hotel review: St Regis Istanbul (Turkey).

• Location: Google maps
• Address: Mim Kemal Oke Cad. No 35, Sisli, 34367, Turkey
• Hotel website: St. Regis Istanbul

The St. Regis Istanbul takes up residence in the most prestigious address in the city, the Nisantasi district, which is also known as the 5th Avenue of Istanbul. With its modernist Art Deco influence and consummate dedication to service, the hotel echoes Nisantasi’s traditons and style. This new social epicenter is the ideal luxury hotel in Istanbul for the sophisticated travelers who like to explore the sights, art, culinary and nightlife scene of this timeless city.

The St Regis Istanbul features in my top 10 lists of the most amazing city hotels in Europe, the best luxury hotels in Istanbul, the best luxury hotels in Turkey and Europe’s best hotel rooftops, as well as in my list of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2015.

In this review (more info and photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there

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PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• The St Regis Istanbul enjoys a terrific location in the bustling, European side of Turkey’s cultural and financial epicenter. Nestled in the heart of Nişantaşı, renowned as the “5th Avenue” of Istanbul and the city’s social center, the hotel is surrounded by Istanbul’s best designer boutiques, top-end restaurants and art galleries. The St. Regis Istanbul is also across the street of Istanbul’s green lung, Maçka Park, and within walking distance of the Bosphorus, Taksim Square, and the Istanbul Congress Center.

• The hotel marks the Turkish debut of the legendary St Regis Hotel Group (managed by Starwood hotels), which is one of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands (and also one of my favorites).

• The seven-floor hotel, with its aluminium and copper facade occupying a prime corner site, opened last March, making it one of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2015. Everything is brand new.

• The sumptuous, two storey lobby is dominated by a spectacular glass chandelier, composed of hundreds glass panels that are pieced together to create a cloud-like sculpture that envelops the reception area in a warm shimmering glow. The lobby also features a magnificent high-gloss veneer wooden cabinet wall accentuated with bronze and beveled glass. Showcasing a curated selection of art objects, it is inspired by display cabinets that were commonly found in Turkish homes at the turn of the 20^th century.

• The St Regis Istanbul houses one of the greatest collection of art in Turkey, including exclusive pieces by renowned names like Fernando Botero, Sam Francis and Andy Warhol together with pieces by internationally acclaimed Turkish artist like Devrim Erbil, Bedri Baykam, all courtesy of the Demsa Collection of Art.

• Ideally suited for the well-traveled, the hotel features 118 beautifully decorated rooms and suites that were designed by the award-winning Emre Arolat Architects. There are 9 room categories, ranging from Superior Rooms to a one-of-a-kind Bentley designed suite to the presidential suite, with all accommodations boasting a unique identity of discrete luxury, timeless elegance, and compelling grace. I stayed in a 6th floor Grand Deluxe Room during my visit, which has its own huge dressing room, a grey-striped Marmara marble bathroom, and a lovely balcony that comes with impressive views of Maçka Park and the Bosphorus.

• Bathrooms are stocked with Remède toiletries (soap, lotion, shampoo), which are amongst the best in the hotel industry.

• The St Regis Istanbul features Starwood’s latest in room amenity, the “Handy” mobile device, which you can take with you during your exploration of the city. It gives you access to free local calls and free Internet within the city borders. More than that, Handy is also your private city guide during your Istanbul discovery!

• Electric blinds on the outside of the building can be brought down to shade each room in the heat of summer.

• While in residence, guests enjoy St Regis butler service, 24 hours a day. St. Regis Butler Service has been the signature of the St. Regis experience for over one hundred years. From a forgotten travel item, to a perfectly pressed suit ready for an important meeting, to a favorite book at hand for an evening read, or a thoughtful, last-minute gift for a loved one, no request is too small or unattainable no matter the hour of the day.

• WiFi is complimentary, as long as you have made your reservation on the official hotel or Starwood website.

• A world away from Istanbul’s vibrant streets, the hotel’s top-notch Iridium Spa instantly transforms guests with its tranquil reception, smooth beige marble walls and soft candlelight. At the spa, three restorative, albeit small pools as well as 3 Hammans (Trukish baths) promise refined relaxation after a memorable day of enchanting city impressions. Treatments are of very high quality and not too expensive.

• The hotel signature restaurant, Spago by master chef Wolfgang Puck, enjoys a stunning setting on the hotel’s 7th floor, spectacular rooftop: it combines stunning views towards Maçka Park and the Bosphorus with a memorable culinary experience. But you don’t have to eat there to enjoy the views: Spago lounge offers a year-round open terrace, where guests can enjoy ambient music, signature cocktails, high-end spirits and fine champagne (a prime venue for celebrity spotting in Istanbul!).

• The hotel also has a second restaurant, The St. Regis Brasserie, which is an all-occasion dining venue that offers contemporary French cuisine with a local twist.

• The breakfast buffet, displayed in the open kitchen of Spago, is a nice spread of fresh fruits, cold meats, and breads. There is also a menu to order hot dishes.

• Service is impeccable, as you would expect from a hotel of this caliber. From arrival until departure, I felt pampered by the amazing staff and management. From doormen and receptionists to the housekeeping staff and the butlers, everyone is there to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. This is St Regis at its best!

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The brand new St Regis Istanbul is hands down the best and most luxurious hotel in Istanbul. I absolutely loved it! I could not find any cons, but you may want to know the following when you consider a stay:

• While the hotel is ideally located for shopping and dining, it’s a 15 minute cab ride away from the key tourist sights in Istanbul’s old city (Sultanahmet), and from the Asian side of the city.

• The breakfast buffet, although of high quality, is a bit limited for a hotel of this caliber.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 9/10
• Design: 10/10
• Rooms: 9/10
• Food: 9/10
• Service: 10/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 9,4/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like the St Regis Istanbul (and/or receive many free perks).

• Save money: book your room with an additional 20% off making use of a Best Rate Guarantee.

• Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG) with Gold or Platinum status are well treated, with – amongst other benefits – free WiFi, complementary room upgrade (when available), early check-in or late check-out  (when available), and free breakfast (SPG platinum). Click here to read my review of the SPG program (with pros & cons).

• Book your room on the official hotel, Starwood or SPG website to receive complimentary WiFi.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Istanbul is September to November. That’s when the crowds diminish, the rates drop, and weather is spectacular. Peak season – summer – sees spikes in temperatures and room rates. To save money and sweat less, visit Istanbul in the spring or fall. Spring is still a little chilly, so bring a coat. The winter months tend to be rainy, snowy and cold with average highs in the 40s (around 5° C). The dip in temperatures (and thus tourism) means that you’ll find bargains on hotel rates; the budget conscious could brave the weather and visit in December or January.

HOW TO GET THERE

Istanbul is served by 2 airports and a taxi is the best way to get from each airport to the city center. Depending upon traffic, the journey from the airport to the hotel can vary from 30 to 90 minutes.

• Istanbul Atatürk Airport is the biggest airport in Turkey, located 25 km west of the city and it served by most major full-service airlines (click here for a direct link to their websites). Check the Wikipedia page of Istanbul Atatürk Airport for a list with airlines that offer offer direct flights to Istanbul.

• Sabiha Gökçen International Airport  is located 35 km southeast of city center and is served by some full-service airlines (e.g. Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines) as well as European and Turkish low-cost carriers (click here for a direct link to their websites). Check the Wikipedia page of Sabiha Gökçen International Airport for a list with airlines that offer offer direct flights to Istanbul.

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The post Review: St Regis Istanbul, the city’s most luxurious hotel appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Today (September 8, 2014): Top 10: Restaurants with views that match the food.

Even the most amazing food in the world wouldn’t have quite the same clout if you were forced to eat it while staring at a brick wall.  A restaurant with a view can take a dining experience from mediocre to a life-long memorable meal. Whether you’re looking out over a city’s silhouette, the glimmering coastline or acres of rolling countryside, check out my top 10 of the world’s best restaurants with views, for memories that last long after your plate is cleared.

There’s more info below the slide show. Think I missed one? Share your favorite restaurant with a spectacular view in the comments section, or take my poll below!

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10. VERTIGO, BANGKOK, THAILAND

One of the highest open-air restaurants in the world, Vertigo offers an al fresco dining experience set atop the roof terrace of the luxurious Banyan Tree Hotel in the heart of Bangkok. As you can expect, Vertigo boasts jaw-dropping views, so you can dine on fork-tender seafood and premium steaks while feasting your eyes on Bangkok’s vast skyline, 61 floors above the city. It is worth arriving a bit early at Vertigo for a pre-dinner cocktail so you can catch a glimpse of Thailand’s capital during daylight and dusk (the restaurant opens at 5 pm).

• Restaurant website: Vertigo
• Other accolades: Banyan Tree Bangkok also features in my top 10 list of the world’s most spectacular rooftops.
• Tip: enjoy free VIP perks at Banyan Tree Bangkok when booking via  Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check in, late check out, and a complimentary Thai set dinner for two at -Saffron restaurant on the 52nd Floor).
• Review: coming soon.

9. SIERRA MAR RESTAURANT, BIG SUR, USA

High atop the cliffs of Big Sur, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, is Sierra Mar, the signature restaurant of the Post Ranch Inn Hotel and winner of Wine Spectator’s prestigious Grand Award. Offering an unconventional fine dining experience and eclectic menus, Executive Chef Elizabeth Murray presents inquisitive food creations featuring ingredients highlighted by a sense of place and culture. Selections from the award-winning wine cellar enhance the innovative, inspired cuisine.

• Restaurant website: Sierra Mar
• Other top 10 accolades: The Post Ranch Inn also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most spectacular cliffside hotels and the best luxury hotels & resorts in the USA.
• Tip: enjoy free VIP perks at the Post Ranch Inn when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check in, late check out, and $100 USD resort credit).
• Review: read my review of the Post Ranch Inn Hotel here.

8. FELIX, HONG KONG, CHINA

Sweeping views of Hong Kong’s dramatic cityscape captivate diners at th 28th floor Felix restaurant in the Peninsula Hotel, created by avant-garde designer Philippe Starck. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out on the city’s neon skyline, Victoria Harbour ships, and the bustling shopping district of Kowloon. The contemporary menu features fresh seasonal dishes such as crab salad and tuna tartar with dandelion salad, slow-cooked sea bass with black shrimp mousse, and grilled Australian lamb.

• Restaurant website: Felix
• Other accolades: The Peninsula Hong Kong also features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Hong Kong and luxury hotels with private helipads and airports.
• Tip: enjoy free VIP perks at the Peninsula Hong Kong when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and $100 USD resort credit).

7. UN PIANO NEL CIELO, AMALFI COAST, ITALY

Dining at ‘Un Piano Nel Cielo’, the gourmet restaurant of hotel Casa Angelina on the Amalfi Coast, reflects the unique personality of the Chef, Vincenzo Vanacore, who creatively communicates through his cuisine his love for fresh produce and culinary traditions which culminates in innovations and culinary delights. The rooftop restaurant with its breathtaking terrace suspended between sky and sea, is the perfect setting to experience a certain Italian-style ‘art de vivre’ with views of Europe’s most spectacular stretch of coast.

• Restaurant website: Un piano Nel Cielo
• Other accolades: Casa Angelina also features in my top 10 lists of the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast and swimming pools with stunning views.
• Review: read my review of Casa Angelina here.

6. SIGNATURE ROOM AT THE 95TH, CHICAGO, USA

Located atop the ‘875 North Michigan Avenue‘ supertall skyscraper – formerly known as the John Hancock Center – the Signature Room at the 95th floor offers exquisite a la carte food and dazzling skyline views. The elegant wood designs and art deco interior create an inviting and intimate atmosphere, while the floor-to-ceiling windows exhibit breathtaking Chicago skyline views and 360 degree views of the entire city and Lake Michigan. While requests cannot be guaranteed, ask for a window table facing the southwest for the most spectacular city views (towards the Willis Tower).

• Restaurant website: Signature Room at the 95th

5. DASHEENE, ST LUCIA

Guests and visitors flock to Dasheene – Ladera Resort‘s signature fine dining restaurant – to enjoy award-winning cuisine and the spectacular views of the Pitons and the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Chef Nigel Mitchel’s cooking renders stylish interpretations of traditional St. Lucian dishes, such as sweet potato and coconut soup, Caribbean lamb salad, roast conch with pickled vegetables served in a yam basket, Cajun Creole vegetable bakes, jerk poulet sausage, plantain gratin with coconut rum sauce and more.

• Restaurant website: Dasheene
• Other accolades: Ladera St Lucia also features in my top 10 list of the world’s most spectacular cliffside hotels.
• Tip: enjoy free VIP perks at Ladera Resort when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
• Review: read my review of Ladera here.

4. LE JULES VERNE, PARIS, FRANCE

From its perch on the Eiffel Tower’s second level, 410 feet (125 m) above the ground, Le Jules Verne offers expansive views of the City of Light. Guests of the restaurant look out over wide boulevards and slate gray rooftops at lunchtime, or go in the evening to observe Paris’s twinkling lights. The menu reflects the revered culinary traditions of France, but celebrity chef Alain Ducasse’s team brings a modern touch to classic recipes. For example, sea bass is cooked in its caramelized juices with just a splash of cream added at the end to intensify the flavor and lighten the dish. The wine list is 100 percent French.

• Restaurant website: Le Jules Verne

3. SENSE ON THE EDGE, OMAN

The Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort, located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman, has beautiful indigenous village-style accommodations in a spectacular setting, with the dramatic mountains on one side and the sandy beach of Zighy Bay on the other. Its mountaintop signature restaurant ‘Sense On the Edge’ is the perfect place to enjoy breathtaking views and a very memorable dinner under the stars. There is a choice of five or seven-course set menus accompanied with terrified degustation wines.

• Restaurant website: Senses on the Edge
• Other accolades: Six Senses Zighy Bay also features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Oman, the world’s most amazing beach hotels, and the world’s most over-the-top hotel experiences.
• Tip: enjoy free VIP perks at Six Senses Zighy Bay when booking via Virtuoso (upgrade, free breakfast, a massage for two people, early check-in and late check-out).
• Review: read my review of Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort here.

2. DELAIRE GRAFF RESTAURANT, SOUTH AFRICA

Executive Chef Michael Deg offers his signature style ‘bistro-chic’ cuisine at the Restaurant of the Delaire Graff Estate in the winelands of the Western Cape. Beautifully presented dishes use the highest quality seasonal ingredients from ethical farmers and organic suppliers, while desserts are a triumph of indulgence and originality. Weather permitting, guests are able to relax on the terrace under a dappled canopy of pin-oak trees while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding South African landscape.

• Restaurant website: Delaire Graff Restaurant
• Other accolades: Delaire Graff Estate also features in my top list of places to visit in & around Cape Town.

1. LYCABETTUS, SANTORINI, GREECE

The award-winning Andronis Suites Hotel clings to the side of a steep cliff, high above Santorini’s spectacular caldera, which are the remains of a devastating volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago. Its Lycabettus restaurant, named after a hill in Athens, has a terrace located on dramatic rocky outcrop juts right out over the water, in what must be one of the most romantic restaurant settings in the world. Traditional Mediterrean recipes are blended with organic ingredients and elements of nouvelle cuisine to create a superlative menu.

• Restaurant website: Lycabettus Restaurant

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