Who said conscious travel can’t be luxurious? Istanbul begs to differ. The luxury hotels in Istanbul boast some serious sustainability credentials. Plus let’s not forget that staying locally at a luxury boutique hotel is also a way to stay consciously.
However you define conscious travel, there’s a hotel in Istanbul for you. From Historic buildings transformed into chic stays to rooms with breathtaking Bosphorus views, these are my top picks for where to stay in Istanbul if you’re looking for luxury meets consciousness.
Kocatas Mansion Six Senses Istanbul
Set in a beautiful ottoman-styled mansion, the Six Senses Kocatas Mansion Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in Istanbul
It will give you a taste of how the aristocrats lived in the Ottoman empire. This sustainability-focused hotel chain brings the best of luxury and responsibility to its properties.
They offer workshops on upcycling and other sustainable classes in their Earth Lab. Have an exquisite zero-waste tasting menu. Plus have created community-based projects with the students of Dogus University to develop a composting machine to transform organic waste into valuable compost.
Along with the sustainability workshops, they offer an array of other cultural and nature-based experiences. From the alchemy bar where you make organic beauty products from the ingredients of the local garden to Anatolian wine tastings.
This Bosphorus hideaway is perfect for those who want to experience the best of Istanbul without being directly in the center of the action. The hotel is located a little off the beaten path in Istanbul in the prestigious Sariyer district, about six minutes from the Golden Horn via boat, which is the best way to navigate the Bosphorus.
Where: Merkez Mahallesi Meserburnu Caddesi No: 5 Sarıyer, Istanbul
join the waitlist for the downloadable Istanbul guide
Ecole St. Pierre Hotel
New kid on the block Ecole St. Pierre isn’t so new after all. Located in a historical french primary school from the 1840s.
The Ecole St. Pierra has been renovated to give it modern enhancements without losing the rich historical context of the building. Making it a unique boutique hotel that embraces the contrast of old with new, fitting the overall ethos of Istanbul.
Inside the hotel, you will find rare Galata walls built by the Genoese in the 13th century. Outside just steps away from the iconic Galata Tower, this hotel is in one of the most sought-after locations in Istanbul.
However, you don’t need to leave the hotel to get a taste of Galata’s history. Inside the hotel, there are the rare Galata walls built by the Genoese in the 13th century.
Where: Bereketzade Mahallesi Galata Kulesi Sokak No:20/A
The Stay
The Stay is Turkey’s first independent and locally owned carbon-neutral hotel chain. Founded in 2017, the chain has four unique locations within Istanbul: The Bosphorus, Bebek, Boulevard Nisantasi, and Nisantasi.
Its carbon-neutral certification was given by the French Bureau Veritas, after auditing the hotel’s operations and evaluating them in line with the ISO 14064-1 international standard for greenhouse gas verification.
The Stay’s ability to fuse heritage, arts, culture, and stellar design attracts the city’s cool crowd. From socialites to Turkish actors you’ll be rubbing shoulders with the city’s elite at any of the Stay locations.
Mandarin Oriental
Step into lavish and luxury at The Mandarin Oriental. With impressive Bosphorus views, you’ll be happy to know that the hotel is single-use plastic free, so you won’t have to worry about your shampoo bottles or toothbrush making their way into the sea.
At the restaurant, you’ll find taste local ingredients from a range of herbs, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and honey all derived from sustainable agriculture. Their menu is based on the exceptional flavors of the Turkish Kitchen boasting favorites like Künefe, Oruk, Siyeydiz, Baklava, and others.
You can get to know the rich history of Istanbul through their cultural offers such as the Journey Through The History of Turkish Art or the Whirling Darwish Show at Hodja Pasha.
If organized activities aren’t your thing, at the hotel, you can indulge in an outdoor yoga session or enjoy the greenery in the shared garden courtyard.
You can get to know Istanbul by wandering. The hotel is located in one of the most picturesque neighborhoods of Istanbul in Kuruçesme which is known for its ottoman-era wooden architecture as well as chic cafes. It’s 1.3 km from 15 July Martyrs Bridge and 3.6 km from Dolmabahce Palace, in Istanbul there’s no shortage of things to explore.
Where: Kuruçesme Mah. Muallim Naci Caddesi No:62
