Eresin Taxim Premier ★★★★★

If you haven’t been to Istanbul yet, you are missing out. And if you have, you will know that it’s an extraordinary place that simply cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world. The delights of this magical capital are diverse and fascinating, and after a hectic few hours of weaving your way through the maze of narrow streets, you can enjoy pure peace and refinement by coming home to Eresin Taxim Premier.

My husband and I had ticked off the most common city breaks – Paris, Rome, Venice, Prague… but there was one place that we hadn’t yet discovered… somewhere steeped in history and brimming with one-of-a-kind beauty. Our taxi journey from the airport was like a magic carpet ride back through the centuries and to old Istanbul. We gazed out of the window in silence as we whizzed past enormous domes and towering minarets, before we arrived at the Eresin Taxim Premier. Conveniently located on one of the city’s most popular streets, the hotel provides guests with easy access to a variety of shops, restaurants and renowned sights. The staff greeted us with a welcome drink and we were upgraded to a Deluxe Room. Throughout our stay they continued to deliver the best personalised service in order to ensure we had the most enjoyable and memorable stay possible.

We were escorted to our bedroom, which had parquet flooring and a light colour scheme, with crisp white linen on the bed and plush cushions on the sofa. The elegant décor created a home away from home ambience, and we were treated to a range of high quality luxuries including a pillow menu, satellite TV, tea and coffee facilities, a mini-bar, free Wi-Fi and soaring city views.

Whilst my husband made himself at home with a cup of tea and a book of information about the best of Istanbul, I snuck off to the spa for some well-deserved ‘me time’. I spent an hour or two wandering between the sauna, marble steam room and Jacuzzi swimming pool, before letting the expert Turkish masseuses work their magic with a couple of bespoke treatments.

Feeling utterly rejuvenated and refreshed, I reunited with my husband in the restaurant for a delicious meal. Boasting panoramic views over Istanbul, L’Oranj offers contemporary classics complemented by a wide selection of Turkish wines produced from Anatolian vineyards.  We enjoyed an after-dinner cocktail in the bar, accompanied by live piano music and a lovely atmosphere.

The rest of our stay was dedicated to discovering the delights of the city. Each day was kicked off with a delightful spread of freshly baked treats, fruit, selected meats and cheeses, juice, fresh coffee and traditional Turkish tea, served with beautiful views of Istanbul.  With the help of the hotel concierge team, we’d then hit the aromatic maze of streets and explore churches, mosques, minarets, markets and a million other treasures. This where you’ll find some of the most famous and beloved sights in the world, spanning the strip of water that intersects not just the city but two continents.  A truly unmissable experience.