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Squeezed in between the Centro de Congressos de Lisboa and the Ponte 25 de Abril, the Opera was built some years ago to service the Congress Centre. Its business and prices fluctuate with the number of events taking place at the venue. Because of its proximity to the Belém Cultural Centre and the Toyota Box theatre, however, the hotel is also used by visiting artists. It is walking distance from the Docas area with its riverside bars and restaurants. The hotel has meeting rooms for a maximum of 350 people.
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Although the Hilton Istanbul won’t win any architectural prizes, it is one of the best-located hotels in the city. Slap-bang in the middle of things—five minutes from Taksim or the shopping of Nisantasi—the hotel is set in 15 acres of gardens with excellent views of the Bosporus from many of its rooms making this a solid option. There is a good choice of dining options and a fully equipped business centre. The hotel is particularly convenient for the Istanbul Exhibition Centre.
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A few minutes’ walk from Taksim Square, Hyatt Regency’s Istanbul offering is stylish and understated. A recent refit has given the comfortable rooms an Oriental feel, while the hotel’s excellent service and facilities make this a good choice for business or pleasure trips. The business centre is well equipped with computers, internet access, faxes and photocopiers, plus a useful library. Boardrooms and private offices are also available for private hire. There is a good choice of dining options on site and excellent sports facilities, including an outdoor pool (a godsend in the scorchingly hot summer months) and floodlit tennis courts.
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In a city with traffic as bad as Istanbul’s, being five minutes’ drive from the airport is a major selling point. But the Polat Renaissance is a top-notch hotel to boot. A striking blue glass tower overlooking the Sea of Marmara, it boasts excellent facilities which include a fully equipped gym and a heated outdoor pool, for killing time before that afternoon flight. As a member of the Marriott group, you can book online through the company’s central reservation system. The only possible drawback is that you’re 18kms from the city centre if you have business in town.
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Set in 60 acres of gardens overlooking the Bosporus, the Swissôtel is as efficiently managed as you’d expect from this international chain. The service is professional yet personal, while the spacious rooms lack for nothing in terms of mod cons and comforts. The hotel’s extensive sports and leisure facilities are matched by excellent facilities for the business traveller. The Taslik restaurant has a reputation for its exquisitely prepared Turkish and Ottoman cuisine, and there is also an excellent Japanese restaurant.
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