I decided to go to Istanbul this summer as a quick stopover after my trip to Italy, since I was desperate to try out the new Turkish Airlines Dreamliner business class product.

I’ve been to Istanbul 3 times already, so I booked a quick 2 night stay in the city before flying back home. And when in Turkey, why not make it amazing, right?

I decided to stay at The St. Regis Istanbul, since I could use my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant 50,000 point “anniversary free night award” towards the stay.

I also redeemed another 50K points that I had stashed away in my Bonvoy account to cover the entire stay. I checked the Bonvoy app prior to booking, and the cash rate for 1 night in a standard Superior King room that I had booked would have been about $500 per night. 

Since I hold Titanium Elite status with Bonvoy, I also had some lovely suite night awards burning a hole in my pocket. I used 2 of them for the stay, and was notified via email 3 days before check in that my upgrade was confirmed to a 1 Bedroom Suite with a Macka Park view. Hooray!

The Room

The suite was modern, very spacious and beautifully appointed with contemporary Turkish art. Minimalist, yet glamorous furnishings adorned the room, which perfectly complemented the lovely Art Deco accents.

Suede and glossy wood wrapped the walls and the plush carpeting throughout the suite made the room feel cozy, but also tres chic.  

The floor-to-ceiling windows provided plenty of natural light and and nice view of the Istanbul skyline.

A contemporary sofa, comfy armchairs, and a black marble-top dining table created an inviting space in the living area to enjoy a meal or to relax and watch a movie on the flat-screen TV.

In addition, there was a well-stocked coffee bar with a Nespresso machine and a nice desk and workspace with a library-like design. I really loved the beautifully decorated shelves, which were stocked with books and pretty Turkish objets d’art. 

The separate bedroom also had another flat-screen TV, a striking sculpture, a vintage-style trunk and a leather headboard that framed the plush king-size bed.

The closet in the bedroom had plentiful storage for all of our luggage, and I loved the separate vanity area for being able to relax and do my makeup before hitting the town. 

My favorite part of the suite hands down was the jaw-dropping bathroom, which was decked out in floor-to-ceiling marble. I also appreciated the double sinks, the spacious rain shower, and the glorious soaking tub.

And one of the coolest features of the bathroom was a 19-inch TV integrated into the mirror!

I loved being able to soak in the tub and watch TV and to listen to the news in the morning while brushing my teeth! 

The Location and Guest Experience

Centrally located in the cosmopolitan and posh Nişantaşı district, the St. Regis Istanbul is steps away from designer boutiques, luxury fashion brands, and local eateries, and is also surrounded by beautiful European-style buildings that hark back to the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods.

While not located near the top touristy sites of Istanbul, with an easy cab ride, you can be in the historic district in roughly 20-30 minutes. Since I had been to Istanbul many times before, it didn’t bother me to stay outside of the historic area, and I actually preferred being away from all of the tourist hullabaloo.

Thanks again to Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status, we were able to indulge in a delicious and plentiful breakfast for free, which is one of the many perks of this level of top-tier status with Marriott.

I was also able to secure a late checkout at 4 PM, so that we could come back from sightseeing to freshen up and take a rest  before heading to the airport for our flight. 

One night, we dined at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, which is the restaurant on the rooftop of the hotel. The meal was divine and the menu was an eclectic mix of Mediterranean and international cuisine, and we enjoyed our meal all while overlooking the twinkling lights of the Istanbul skyline on the Bosphorus.

While I didn’t make it to the spa on this trip, I did read online that the hotel’s Iridium Spa is top notch, and next time I am in Istanbul I will definitely be sure to try some of their treatments.

The lobby of the hotel was welcoming, exquisitely appointed, and the incredible atrium made it feel like quite the grand entrance upon arrival.

The hotel staff was pleasant, kind and very helpful with tips and recommendations, and they obviously take a lot of pride in their work and embody the St. Regis brand to a T.

Final Verdict

If you are looking for a luxury hotel to stay in in Istanbul then look no further than the St. Regis Istanbul! For typical points rates of only 50K points per night, this hotel is absolutely fabulous, and being able to take advantage of all of the Bonvoy Titanium Elite perks makes this hotel a fantastic choice for those with top-tier Marriott status! 

Not a bad view, eh? This is a fabulous option for Istanbul, with great rates too!