Kocatas Mansions

My massage with Sue was so good. She knew what my body needed straight away, and I came out feeling calm and completely relaxed. The spa is lovely and peaceful too. Highly recommend it if you’re in Istanbul.

Room 211 was genuinely beautiful, with high ceilings and historical decor that made it feel like stepping back in time. Thanks to the hotel for upgrading us to a larger room than the one we booked. It had everything we needed, a full shower-suite with a bathtub, and very good toiletries. The view felt as if we were sleeping right over the sea. Fruit, nuts, chocolate and a welcome note were a lovely touch, though two small bottles of water weren’t enough. I was shocked to see a relatively low-quality wine from Sevilen priced at €112 in the minibar. For a room at this price, wine should be complimentary, or at least more carefully chosen. The worst part came around 8:30 in the morning, when I woke up to an overwhelming smell of onions in the room. I understand it’s a historic building and ventilation may be an issue, but I live in Istanbul and was there just for leisure. This was completely unacceptable, and I reported it. Breakfast was disappointing too: just three kinds of cheese, smoked, white and tulum, and no avocado, smoked salmon, champagne or fruit. I don’t eat caviar and drink champagne at home every morning, but I expected something a bit more special than my usual breakfast. We also went to the spa and had dinner at Toro Restaurant. The spa sits on a hilltop and you get there by buggy, with a stunning view. But you can’t see it from the massage room or relaxation area. The couples massage was average, in my opinion, and the refreshments afterwards were underwhelming. We went to the infinity pool after, but dirty, streaky glass spoiled what could have been an amazing view. Dinner at Toro Restaurant was so-so. The food wasn’t bad, but my expectations weren’t met. The Latin American and Asian mix didn’t quite come together. I wanted vodka neat, but they didn’t have large ice cubes. When I asked for lime or lemon juice on the side, it wasn’t fresh-squeezed. You stock premium vodka but have no lime? Pes! Serving vodka on the rocks in a water glass showed a lack of training and vision. They changed the glass when I pointed it out, but the moment was already ruined. I wouldn’t stay again or recommend it. It’s far from the center, and traffic would be a major problem for tourists visiting Istanbul.

My wife, our two-year-old and I stayed for three days and had a great time. The rooms are beautifully designed, and the front desk staff and valet were super nice. We ate breakfast at Toro, where the staff were great and the food was really tasty.

I haven’t stayed at the hotel, but I did visit the incredible SPA 🧖‍♀️🤍. The view, service and whole experience are unforgettable. From reception right through to the massage rooms, everyone treated me like family. It felt like coming to a summer home. The massage was incredible, I didn’t want it to end 🙈. The pool area is really cozy, and the view is the best. Even the changing room has Dyson tools! I’d give it 6/5.