Taking advantage of the lull in international travel, Istanbul’s Four Seasons Hotel At Sultanahmet will close its doors this autumn to reveal a hotel-wide makeover in time for its 25th birthday next year.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet has long lured travellers looking for an exotic bolthole as a base to explore Turkey’s largest city. Occupying a former prison built in 1918, the striking neoclassical pile, with its minimal architectural details and striking mosaic artwork, was transformed into the 65-room Four Seasons hotel in 1996.

A 25th birthday overhaul

Now the property has signalled its intention to shutter this autumn, with plans to unveil a fresh new look that retains the intimate residential ambience in spring 2021. Returning guests are also being promised inspired storytelling-driven design, meaningful experiences and a full immersion in Istanbul’s remarkable history and culture.

“Since opening as a Four Seasons hotel almost 25 years ago, we have welcomed guests from all over the world, with many returning again and again, year after year,” said Tarek Mourad, senior general manager of Four Seasons Hotels Istanbul. “Given that so many people are not travelling right now due to the Covid19 pandemic, we thought this an ideal time for a complete transformation with minimal disruption for our guests.”

Mesut Toprak, chairman of Astay Gayrimenkul, owner of Four Seasons Hotels Istanbul, added: “We have enjoyed a strong partnership with Four Seasons since 2005 and we are delighted to embark on this renovation programme. It represents our commitment to quality and excellence, which are values that we share with Four Seasons, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration with them.”

Four Seasons fans won’t be disappointed

Located in the heart of Istanbul’s historic centre, a short walk from top sights such as Haghia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, the hotel’s spruce-up, when complete, will no doubt continue to fly the Four Seasons luxury flag of excellence.

For now, the city is blessed to have not one, but two Four Seasons hotels, so travellers looking for a little indulgence can set up camp at its sister property, Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus, a former 19th-century Ottoman palace overlooking the busy waters of the famous straits.