Stay in an Ottoman Empire prison? A deep dive into the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul Old City!

Spanning the continents of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is full of romantic legends with a thousand years of history at every corner~ Today, I’m taking you to one of my favorite spots in Istanbul’s European Old City, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, a super magical hotel transformed from a prison! 🏨✨ The hotel’s location is fantastic—just a 3-minute walk to the Blue Mosque and 5 minutes to Hagia Sophia!

💫 The most amazing part is its past and present:
This was once the Ottoman Empire’s very first prison! Even the elevator is made from a former watchtower! 📜 You can still see prisoners’ carved confessions on some walls... Staying here feels like starring in the next season of "Prison Break"! 😱

🌊 About the views:
Some rooms face directly onto the Bosphorus Strait 🌅
Wake up to the first rays of sunlight shining on the sea between Europe and Asia
There are suites with 270-degree views overlooking the Old City landmarks! The dome of Hagia Sophia is within arm’s reach.

🏡 Magical transformation:
- Prison yard → Dreamy secret garden 💐
- Gloomy cells → Luxurious suites 🛏️
- Watchtower → Trendy elevator shaft 📸

🍽 Experiences you can’t miss:
1⃣️ Authentic Turkish breakfast
2⃣️ Traditional coffee making in the courtyard
3⃣️ Rooftop bar watching the sunset over the strait

Post by atticus_hawthorne_93 | Nov 4, 2025