Last Updated on: March 7, 2023 at 9:22 am
Nicknamed ‘the meeting point of the world’ Istanbul is the city where Europe and Asia meet. The city is divided in two by the Bosphorus Strait and it is here that the two mighty continents converge the city is a colourful infusion of the two cultures and a myriad of ancient traditions and religions.
Because of its strategic location, Istanbul is a thriving business centre. It is the ideal location for international conferences and meetings as it has luxury hotels, an excellent transport network and good conference, convention and exhibition facilities. If you are considering Istanbul for business travel, the city has a wealth of historical attractions to enjoy visiting in downtime including Sultanahmet Square and Mosque (also known as the ‘Blue Mosque’).
The favourite location for many of the luxury hotels in Istanbul is on the shores of the Bosphorus – either on the European or Asian side- and this district has been the focus of the great investment. Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus recently became the latest famous name to open a new hotel in the area – with the top-priced suite costing €35,000 per night. Other ‘big names’ include Çırağan Palace Kempinski – with its famous ‘Sultan Suite’ -, Shangri-La, the Four Seasons and Raffles. Raffles Istanbul holds the top slot in the “Top 20 Hotels in Turkey and Greece” list and is always a popular choice with wealthy tourists.
There are a variety of other locations to consider for corporate team building and bleisure opportunities including the Old City and business centre as well as areas such as Taksim which is known for its shopping opportunities. Istanbul certainly has a good selection of hotels for business travellers and here we bring you news of the city’s 8 best hotels for team gatherings to bring your team together after so many months of hybrid working.:
In this article, we'll take a look at:
Sitting amongst attractive gardens is the five-star Hilton Bosphorus which was recently chosen as the “Best Meeting Hotel in the Marmara Region”. The hotel is conveniently close to the Istanbul Congress Center. Lutfi Kirdar Convention and Exhibition Center.
Hilton Bosphorus has 27 meeting rooms, outside meeting areas and a convention centre for up to 3,000 guests. The hotel has 500 guest rooms that are decorated in soft, muted tones and each has a private balcony or terrace. There is an in-house spa and health club with indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, steam rooms, a gym, and tennis and squash courts. Meals in the hotel are created by its team of award-winning chefs in its five restaurants and include Indian specialities in the Dubb Restaurant.
Essential details:
Price per room from €304
Distance from Yenikapi Rail station 7km
Distance from the city centre 2km
Distance from Istanbul Airport 39km
Focused on offering excellent facilities for business travellers, this hotel is situated in the heart of Taksim – a part of the city well known for its shopping, restaurants and colourful nightlife. The hotel is within comfortable walking distance of the Istanbul Congress Center and the Lutfi Kirdar Convention & Exhibition Center. The hotel itself has six modern meeting rooms – all with cutting-edge equipment. Executive transfers are offered and there is a concierge service as well as the hotel’s own helipad!
This hotel has 190 guest rooms that are classically styled in soft shades of beige. For moments of leisure, there is a semi-Olympic indoor pool and spa and fitness centre with a Turkish bath, jet pool, sauna, and Pilates studio. There are great dining options including the main restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, a patisserie and a pub.
Price per room from €207
Distance from Yenikapi Rail Station 7km
Distance from the city centre 1.3km (9 minutes)
This luxury art-filled hotel provides its guests with stunning views of the Bosphorus – especially from its 18th-floor restaurant whilst enjoying international gourmet flavours. Lounge 34 is the perfect centre for meetings and team gatherings and the hotel has a selection of meeting rooms. The Point Hotel Barbados also has its own helipad.
The elegant guest rooms all have the latest facilities including LCD TV and a multimedia centre. The Point Sports Centre is popular with a large pool, tanning tub and massage rooms. As well as the spectacular restaurant on the 18th floor, the hotel has the Ocean Restaurant and the popular Italian Piola Restaurant serving pizza and pasta.
Price per room from €162
Distance from Botanci rail station: 13.6 km (1 hour by train)
Distance from City centre: 8km
Distance from Airport: 50 km
This stylish five-star hotel nestles in gardens that are part of the Dolmabahce Palace on the European shore of the Bosphorus. The hotel has plenty to offer business travellers including indoor and outdoor venue areas – the largest capable of seating 1,100 people. There are 29 meeting rooms and three ballrooms.
The hotel has 566 spacious guest rooms that are comfortably furnished with large writing desks and ergonomic seating. There is a beautiful rooftop swimming pool for leisure moments and an elegant spa. There are several different restaurants, all serving excellent cuisine. The Alpine Restaurant with its large open fireplace is a great place to discover Alpine flavours. 16 Roof is also very special as it serves great cocktails and offers fantastic views over the Bosphorus.
Price per room from €480
Distance from Taksim Rail Station 1km
Distance from the city centre : 3km -19 minutes by tram
Distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport: 17km
This contemporarily styled hotel is another good choice for team meetings. It is situated close to the Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Palace. The hotel has 26 meeting rooms and a lavish Grand Ballroom with a capacity for up to 1,200 guests. There is the Summit Bar and Terrace with spectacular views of the city skyline that is perfect for team cocktails.
The hotel has 553 rooms and suites that are decorated in a clever blend of modern and traditional Turkish designs. Executive rooms are available with exclusive use of the Executive Lounge, featuring private check-in & check-out, and drinks and snacks available throughout the day. There are good recreational facilities including a tennis club, fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools and a beautiful spa with an excellent choice of treatments and wellness programmes.
Price per room from €213
Distance from the Rail Station 6 km – 24 minutes by bus
Distance from City centre 3.3 km
Distance from Airport 39 km
This five-star hotel is situated in Bakırköy on the Asian side of Istanbul and overlooks the Marmara Sea and The Princes’ Islands. The hotel offers guests easy access to the World Trade Centre and CNR Expo Centre. For business team meet-ups, there are 13 different-sized function rooms that can accommodate up to 1200 guests for a variety of different events. The hotel also has a fully-staffed business centre.
Renaissance Polat Istanbul has guest accommodation on 27 floors and this comprises of 438 elegantly designed rooms and suites including Executive rooms with Club Lounge access. There are good recreational facilities to enjoy including an indoor and outdoor pool plus a whirlpool, a fitness centre, a full-service spa, and tennis and squash courts. There are several beautiful restaurants including a Mediterranean Restaurant and another specialising in seafood and Turkish Mezé. The Polat Patisserie is hard to resist as it has a tantalising array of homemade cookies, pastries, cakes and chocolates.
Price per room from : € 214
Distance from Sirkeci Rail Station: 5.96km
Distance from City centre 3 km
Distance from Airport 30 km
For a truly memorable team gathering, the Pera Palace is a great choice as it is the city’s oldest European hotel. Step inside the hotel and you are transported back to the 1920s. The Pera is named after its location, Pera, which used to be in the heart of the city. The hotel opened at the end of the 19th century. The hotel is elegant with a lovely ambience and over the years has welcomed many famous people including members of royalty, Alfred Hitchcock, Ernest Hemingway and Jackie Kennedy. For business travellers, the hotel has meeting and banqueting facilities plus a business centre.
All the guest rooms are beautifully furnished with both European and Ottoman influences with beautiful hardwood floors and stylish marble bathrooms. Many rooms also have private balconies. The hotel has the Pera SPA featuring a hammam with a heated marble platform and foam bath. There are also a steam bath, hot tub, sauna and gym. The indoor swimming pool has healing jet streams which are perfect for relaxing. The hotel’s Agatha Restaurant serves contemporary Turkish cuisine, while the Orient Bar & Terrace is popular with the city’s high society and international travellers. The classic French patisserie Patisserie serves delicious Turkish and French-inspired handmade cakes, gateaux and chocolates.
Price per room from €227
Distance from Sirkeci rail station 3km
Distance from City centre 3km
Distance from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) 31.8 km
The travel experts at TruTrip make it easy! Our premium service allows you to plan your trip with convenience and ease. From locating the best-priced flights and arranging accommodation, to organizing exciting corporate activities – our specialist team is at your service from start to finish so that all you need do is enjoy the experience. Book a demo or sign up for a free trial today for an unforgettable journey with your colleagues!
TruTrip streamlines booking, management, and reporting for hassle-free business trips.