CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul

The decor at the CVK Hotels & Resorts Park Bosphorus - Istanbul is glossy and gilded, inspired by Ottoman-style luxury -- marble pillars, gold accent mirrors, and mirrored ceilings -- and the atmosphere is simultaneously laid-back and refined. The building curves around a central courtyard, which provides guests with a relaxing, green public space. The lobby's recessed lighting creates a chic ambience for the grand space, filled with gold-engraved columns and intimate sitting areas of armchairs and coffee tables, popular for afternoon tea and meetings. The fishscale-mirrored ceiling is a dramatic creative touch, although the seemingly endless polished marble floors can seem a bit cold. The glass walls, shiny floors, and abundance of marble can feel like a high-end shopping mall to some, but it's a matter of taste.

The CVK hotel is on a quiet street just off a major tourist center, making a dramatic impression with its grand pillars and leafy rooftop. It’s near the hip neighborhood of Beyoglu, filled with designer shops and trendy restaurants. The wide pedestrian street Istiklal Caddesi is a 10-minute walk from the lobby door and the neighborhood is best explored on foot, so you can wander through churchyards and admire the consulates with their spacious, fenced-in grounds; there's also an historic tram that runs up and down the street’s center. Chain stores are gradually taking over the street, so many of the independent artisans, cutting-edge design shops, restaurants, and cafes are moving south. Some of the best fish restaurants are just north in a maze of alleys branching off to the northwest across from the Swedish Consulate. Taksim Square -- an open area dominated by the Monument of the Republic -- is practically outside the hotel's door. Also facing the square is Atatürk Cultural Center, the city's main concert hall. Dolmabahce Palace is a five-minute walk from the hotel. The Taksim metro station is on the doorstep, a five-minute walk away.

Rooms are gilded and elegant, with wooden floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and gray and taupe accents. Light-wood furniture makes the room look airy and spacious. Bathrooms are regal, with gold-fixtured sinks and gilded accent mirrors; plush robes add to the opulence. Some rooms come with a mini-hammam and all showers have hydromassaging showerheads. The Park Prestige Suites are much larger than the standard rooms and cater to longer-stay guests. These suites have living rooms with a dining table and chairs, and their own washing and tumble drying machines in the kitchens, plus private terraces. Even the lower-tier rooms are still opulently decorated, with silky bedspreads and private balconies, many with views of the Bosphorus; many also have freestanding soaking tubs and circular beds. All rooms are air-conditioned, have flat-screen TVs, a mini-bar, and comfortable beds with pillow menus.

The hotel has six eateries, including a roof terrace bar and executive lounge. The main restaurant, Gümüşsuyu, serves a buffet breakfast daily (for a fee) and has an a-la-carte menu for other meals. The Park Patisserie and Lounge, located in the lobby, serves fresh pastries and ice cream. There's also a massive spa that includes a Turkish bath, steam room, whirlpool tub, facial treatments, and head-to-toe massages and scrubs. The cozy library has a range of coffee-table books and cream-colored leather chairs that are easy to settle into for a few hours. The gym is larger than typical hotel gyms and offers a full range of cardio and weight machines. Many businesses hold conferences at the hotel, not only because of its proximity to the business district but also because of its multiple event spaces, including 16 meeting rooms. There's also a large, lounger-lined pool under a glass atrium. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, babysitting services can be arranged, and airport transfers can be organized.