Shangri-La Bosphorus

Overview

Shangri-La Bosphorus is a hotel on the European shore of the Bosphorus, in Beşiktaş district. It occupies a historical building from the 1930s. The hotel opened in May 2013 on the site of a former tobacco warehouse. At that point, it was Shangri-La's second hotel in Europe, after Paris. On foot, Dolmabahçe Palace is about 15 minutes away. For a guided visit inside, see our Dolmabahçe Palace tour.

A 1930s tobacco warehouse in Beşiktaş

The hotel stands on the site of a 1930s tobacco warehouse in Beşiktaş. Its restored facade recalls that industrial past.

Quick facts

• Good for: a Beşiktaş base by the water, a walk to Dolmabahçe Palace, ferries from Beşiktaş pier, a building with an industrial past
• Best combined with: Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul Naval Museum and Beşiktaş

The Building and Its History

From tobacco warehouse to Shangri-La Bosphorus

In April 2010, Shangri-La signed an agreement with Tanrıverdi Holding to manage a hotel here, its first in Turkey. At that time, the opening was due in April 2012. Still, the hotel opened a year later, in May 2013.

The restored facade and the courtyard trees

The restored facade is six stories high and neoclassical in style. In the courtyard, two old sycamore trees still stand. Inside, the design takes cues from nearby Dolmabahçe Palace. So the hotel looks back to two pasts at once, the warehouse outside and the palace within.

Where the Shangri-La Bosphorus Sits

The hotel stands on the Beşiktaş shore between Dolmabahçe Palace and the Istanbul Naval Museum. From the Beşiktaş pier, city ferries cross to Kadıköy and run to Eminönü. For this reason, the Asian side and the old city are both a boat ride away.

Dolmabahçe Palace and the Naval Museum

To one side lies Dolmabahçe Palace. Six sultans and the last caliph lived there from 1856. Later, Atatürk stayed there until his death in 1938, and since 1984 it has been a museum-palace. On the other side stands the Istanbul Naval Museum. Beyond them, the district of Beşiktaş gathers around its ferry pier. For the strait as a whole, see our Bosphorus guide.

Who It Suits

The hotel suits travelers who want to walk to Dolmabahçe Palace and catch ferries from Beşiktaş. Guests who like a building with a past will find one here, because the restored facade recalls the old warehouse. Before you choose, compare other areas in our guide on where to stay in Istanbul.

Visiting or Staying at the Shangri-La Bosphorus

Updated: October 25, 2026.

Rooms, spa and dining at Shangri-La Bosphorus

The hotel has 186 rooms and suites, and many of them face the Bosphorus. There are four restaurants and bars, including Shang Palace. Its spa goes by the name Chi, The Spa. We book your stay at Shangri-La Bosphorus.

Seeing Istanbul with Us

Would you like to pair Dolmabahçe Palace with a day on the water? Dolmabahçe is next door, so one morning can hold the palace and the boat; write to us for your hotel stay, a cruise on the Bosphorus or our Bosphorus tour.