Hi guyssss!
So as promised, the 4th installment in the series is hereeeeeee! I’m so excited, because this is my favorite one. I got the opportunity to stay in a proper 5 star hotel from one of the world’s best hotel chains for free, and I feel so blessed about it, because it’s an amazing opportunity.
Okay so, before I tell you guys all about it, let me give you a little update on my life. I’ve had an interesting 3 months, because I’ve been in Lagos, Nigeria, and it’s been a very fascinating ride. I’ve had an amazing time to be honest, but I’m also tired because I’ve been trying raise money for my start up, and I’ve also just been going through a trial in my life that has spanned years, and just seems never ending. On the bright side my health is finally getting better, and I’ve reconnected with some of my favorite people, and I have not lacked anything good, even though I haven’t made any money in 3 months I have not run out which is honestly a miracle in itself. God has been really good to me.
Having said that, let’s get into this wonderful post that you guys will definitely love. Especially my richer audience, because this one is for you guys.
Raffles Hotel, Istanbul is a gorgeous gorgeous hotel located in Zorlu Center. Yes the same one I’ve been writing about. It’s quite big and plays host to a mall, residential building, and then Raffles, so technically if you stay here you don’t have to go outside except to see and experience the town of course.
Raffles is accessible by 2 main entrances. One leading to the mall, and the main entrance that can be accessed from the road that leads to it.
The mall entrance opens directly to the business lounge area, where you can order a cup of coffee, tea, and many other snacks. It’s a rather large lounge with several sections, and a jaw dropping mural that immediately draws you in. I loved the mural so much I made sure to get a few photos in front of it.
The lobby is decorated beautifully. It’s very clean and modern, but with tiny, little unmistakably Turkish details like the intricately designed silverware casually chilling on a table by the grand piano.
Speaking of the grand piano, I think it’s an interesting little detail, and I wonder if it has ever been played, and in what scenario it would be played. Has anyone ever been in a hotel lobby with a piano that was actually being used while you were there? Let me know in the comments please, lol.
I loved the Chandeliers at Raffles. I think they’re very beautiful and I especially loved the ones in the hallways, because I’ve never seen anything like it, but I didn’t get a good photo of that. I did however get a photo of the ones in the lobby, and I really liked those too.
There was also this HUGE bronze looking statue in the lobby that I loved very much, and I got a few photos in front of that too.
The other entrance opens into a large hallway with the table of silverware right in front of it separating the business lobby from the hallway, and to the right there’s a much smaller sitting area in a corner, and the hallway leads to the concierge, a staircase that leads to Isokyo an amazing Japanese restaurant that I definitely have on my list, the bar, and Raffles Club, and if you go all the way down the hallway, you’ll find the dining area where breakfast is served.
The dining area also has an outdoor terrace with floor to ceiling windows and a few tables for guests who would prefer that.
The reception is also to the right of the main entrance, but it’s in a large nook that you might miss if you’re not looking carefully. The ladies at the reception were polite and spoke impeccable English which was refreshing.
Another thing I loved about the lobby was that it was decorated with beautiful flowers, and you guys know I’m a flower girl at heart. They seemed artificial, but they were very beautiful either way. Flowers are always a nice touch and addition to any space.
The elevators which are hidden in a corner beside the reception took us all the way up to our room, and you guyssssss! I’m still in love with the room we stayed in. Since it was free, I’m not sure what room we stayed in, but I checked their website and I think it was the Deluxe Room which I think is the lowest priced one they have. Prices on their website start at $925 with breakfast included, but you can find deals online for as low as $700 per night on hotel booking websites.
Our room was on the 17th floor, so we had an immaculate view. Like the view was everythingggggg. It was the best part of our room to me. We could see the entire Turkish skyline even up to the Bosphorus, and you know what? Just see for yourself so you know what I mean. It was so beautiful especially because it was snowing when we stayed there, so it was like white on all the roofs and it was just so beautiful.
We had these stylish outdoor sitting chairs as well as a table, and now that it’s summer it’ll be so nice to lounge out there with your companion and enjoy a drink and a cigar, or whatever else you smoke, and just take in the view as you relax and talk about everything or nothing.
The room itself opened to a walk in closet on the left that’s fully kitted with an iron, an ironing board, hangers etc. It had several shelves, a wardrobe and ample space for all your clothing needs which I think is perfect if you’re planning an extended stay or if you just don’t pack light.
To the right of the door, you have this scratched glass window that’s pretty, and right behind it is the dining area.
The dining area boasts 2 leather chairs, a round table, lamp, and a small bin. It’s decorated beautifully with books and this amazing bronze decor piece that I loved and thought was a beautiful touch.
You also get a box of Turkish delights, so if you’ve never tried some this is a wonderful opportunity to experience them. I personally think that the best ones can be found at the tram station near Beyazit, but this is a lovely introduction to them as well.
Straight ahead from the door, you’re met with a TV console with a cupboard that hosts a fridge, and doubles as a mini tea and coffee bar that’s not only fully stocked with an assortment of teas and an electric kettle, but also a mini nespresso with a couple pods for all your morning needs.
Right across from the TV, theres a king sized bed that was super comfortable and nice to sleep on, which of course is to be expected with a hotel of this standard. I also liked the mural behind the bed. It was weird in a good way. Lol. There was a small single sofa with a stool beside the bed as well, which is useful for cold winter days when you want to enjoy the view, but can’t sit on the balcony outside.
I loved the drop down bedside lamps as well.
My second favorite part of our room was the bathroom. Oh my! I loved the bathroom. It was so special. It had this tub that was really a simple tub, but it was so elegant and pretty to me in its simplicity, and honestly I love bath tubs. There’s something about running a bath and sitting in it just enjoying yourself until all the soap suds dissolve. This one had a bonus, because it was right beside the floor to ceiling window, so all I did was watch the night skyline and soak, and well… a whole photo shoot to show you guys. Lol! All that was missing was a good glass of wine or bubbly and maybe a great book, but I guess in this social media age, my phone was sufficient company, lol.
I also loved how big the bathroom is. There’s a shower stall with at least 3 shower heads including a rainfall one, and one of those marble sitting spots you’d normally find in a hamam spa, but obviously smaller, and the toilet has a wall separating it from the shower. The toilet also has a phone which I like, as I said in my Renaissance Polat Review.
The bathroom also had a double sink, and this huge mirror with great lighting that’s perfect for makeup if that’s your thing. Another tiny detail that I absolutely loved is the fact that they had tea light candles available for you in the bathroom. Trust that when I was soaking in the tub I had those lit and the lights turned off. As a true romantic at heart, this was the perfect setting for me, and I really enjoyed it.
My favorite thing about Raffles was the fact that it was evident that a lot of thought was put into the details and little things. I truly believe that luxury is about details, the tiny things that make an experience feel great, and incredible service. Raffles had that on lock. Everything was carefully thought out. They even had handwritten notes and printed notes to communicate with guests which I found wonderful.
Now I no longer indulge in hotel breakfasts, because apparently they are nasty with their prep, but I tried the breakfast at Rocca, one of Raffles’ restaurants, especially because a lot of it was served à la carte, and I certainly didn’t regret this. Y’all the food was good good! What? It was amazing.
First I picked up a croissant, cold cuts, jam, muffins, clotted cream, a pretzel, cheese and smoked salmon from the buffet that’s laid out in the dining area.
Then we ordered a few things off the menu. We got the Rocca Eggs Benedict, Scrambled eggs, French Crepes, Crispy Italian Pork Pancetta, Crispy Beef Bacon, Orange juice, Tea, and a Cappuccino I believe.
The clotted cream melted in my mouth and the orange jam had chunks in it. Paired with my chocolate croissant it honestly was like a taste of heaven.
The waffle was very crispy on the outside and a little dry, but the eggs were perfectly runny. Paired with the crispy and salty bacon, and the hollandaise sauce it was just the right combination of textures and flavors so it made the waffle less dry.
My pork pancetta was chewy just how I like it with fatty bits and way less crispy surface area. Lol! The beef bacon was the same in texture, and it was really delicious too.
The scrambled eggs came with a frittata? I’m not sure what it was, but it was chock full of sweet corn and topped with a solitary dried tomato, mushroom and sweet pepper. The eggs also severely lacked salt.
The crepes were as expected, and I certainly smelled the cinnamon in the cinnamon whipped cream before I tasted it. It wasn’t just a hint of cinnamon, this was full cinnamon flavor, so if that’s not your thing, you shouldn’t order this.
I’m not the biggest fan of Nutella, but I must say that adding it to the crepes with the cinnamon cream greatly elevated this dish.
The orange juice was freshly squeezed which was really appreciated, because I didn’t have to squeeze my own juice this time. Lol!
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Raffles, and would totally do it again. Hopefully this time I can explore other parts of the hotel and maybe even review Isokyo for you guys! If you do go before me however, be sure to let me know what it’s like.
Thanks for reading guys! I know this one is a long one, but I also know you guys will certainly enjoy it.
Until next time… Love, Yoma.
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