Anyone have any personal experience or insight from friends about the Four Seasons Bosphoros?

We plan to spend a few days in Istanbul after our cruise next year (first time in Istanbul!!), and we know we want to stay on the Bosphoros, but we are trying to decide between the Four Seasons and Çırağan Palace. I have read about Çırağan Palace on some other posts, but have concerns over some of the recent reviews I have seen on other websites. Just wondering if anyone had stayed at the Four Seasons and could compare.

We stayed at the Four Seasons and it was gorgeous. I am not sure it was the Bosphoros, but it was the one that is a converted jail. It was within walking distance of all the sights. The hotel provided us with a driver to tour the city and take us to the Asia side which I highly recommend. We got a great flavor of how all classes live throughout this diverse city.

We met some folks in Cappadoccia who stayed at the one on the Bosphorous. Be careful what rooms you take. As I understand it, the most expensive rooms near the ballroom are very noisy as there are parties well into the night. It seems that rooms with the best views are near the ballroom and the noise travels due to poor design. They couldn't sleep at all and were very unhappy. They switched to the other Four Season with the jail. Otherwise, the folks thought the hotel was lovely and well managed. The hotel accommodated them and apologized and made good on the noise problem. The hotel was brand new at the time.

Anyone know which hotel Regent Cruise line has used
for those that use the hotel package?

Can't tell you what hotel Regent uses Jim, but can report we spent three days in Istanbul in late April, staying at the Gezi Bosphorous Hotel near Taksim Square. Very good modern hotel, with reasonable rates and an excellent view, but only from the Deluxe Bosphorus-view rooms – standard rooms look into a walled “garden”. The rooms themselves are not overly large, but are exceptionally well furnished and maintained. The included full breakfast has lots of choices, and the staff was always helpful and friendly.

We booked the hotel and 3 days of private touring through Ekol Travel [www.ekoltravel.com/] and thought the cost was fair, the guides and drivers very good, and the city itself fabulous.

Thank you very much for this information.
Much appriciated!!

If you need any hotel recommendations, let us know, Jim.

I am collecting as much information as I can.
So any suggestion is appriciated.

One of the hotels that Regent uses (for the program with the upper level suites) is the Park Hyatt - found that out last year after CLEO. The property itself is very nice in a very exclusive area of the city but inconvenient to touristy sites.

We're going back to Istanbul for one night (pre-cruise on Seabourn Quest) in August. I think we'll stay at the Grand Hyatt this time - bookable for $145 all in (many of you know how to book these "deals" with Hyatt based on our past interaction - particularly at the Grand Hyatt Dubai and Park Hyatt Sydney).

We have stayed at the swissotel in istanbul (a great rate after 9/11). It is wonderful, but very pricey unless you find a deal.

Last trip, we stayed at the Hilton parkSA. Just down the street from the swissotel. Not nearly as fancy, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Excellent lounge for gold and diamond members. Cheap price. Very comfortable room. Nice staff. Would definitely stay there again.

We loved the Sirkecikonak hotel. It is a lovely Turkish four star hotel. We stayed in the highest level rooms and they were 1/3 the price of the Ritz and the service and rooms were just as good. The location is wonderful. At first, we were taken aback as its front is on a funky back street, but it's back overlooks a gorgeous park and it is walking distance to almost all of the major tourist sites. A subway is close by and the included breakfast is great. The rooftop restaurant is excellent and has views of the Bosphorous. We've since recommended it to others who also felt the same way about it. An afternoon tea was included. When we went, airport pickup was also included. For longer stays, they offered cooking classes to guests. Every night, they left a gift on the bed. We had a huge balcony as well. It had a B&b feel and the management were incredibly helpful.

On the other side of town, near the Swisshotel and Intercontintal, is the Ritz Carlton. It was tops in service and amenities. I wasn't happy with its location even though most of the best hotels, except the Four Seasons,are there. It took ages to go back and forth to the sights as traffic is horrendous.

Hope this helps.

Just booked AMIRI Hotel for Oct 4,5,6 2013
before our Mariner cruise to rome on the 7th