A view from one of the rooms at the Raffles.
While a location on the Bosphorus or near the Aga Sophia might be best for a tourist: Raffles central Istanbul location is great for locals. It is located in a mall, which is good for shopping; and near public transit. The views from the balconies are stellar, encompassing incredible views of the city and its many bridges.
Raffles is also known for its incredible butler service, which I have experienced in other Accor properties. I adore a great hot bath at night, after having put in the miles during the day on the small and impressive hills of Istanbul. The Raffles’ indulgent butlers provide guests with bath oils, roll-on lavender body oil and pillow mist! This property also holds its own in terms of its food and drink offerings. Think an in-depth local wine list and great in-room dining. Chef does a spectacular job with in-room dining: stacking a cart full of iconic dishes like yogurt soup and eggplant dips. And the property’s sommelier Eyup Nezirler has put together a stunning list of mostly local wines. One of my favorites was the Anaxagora 2023, a white made from Chardonnay (which is not usually my favorite). The main courses are kept warm in the belly of the cart and he does an amazing job with Beyti, the classic beef and lavash dish topped with yogurt and tomato.
Pictured to the left is the Istanbul skyline and below yours truly about to dig into the in-room feast! 
