The 44-room Ritus Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet is part of Hilton Hotels’ Tapestry Collection of boutique properties. Described as “designed to inspire,” each hotel under the brand is characterized by distinctive designs, thoughtful details and a genuine connection to the city in which it is located. The Ritus Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet brings this vision to life.

Opened in June 2025, the hotel was transformed from an office building into a cozy retreat in the heart of bustling Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s Old City. Its original exterior has been thoughtfully preserved, from the light stone façade and tall windows to the arched doorway—details that lend a sense of heritage from the moment guests arrive. Inside the lobby, a delicate crystal installation sparkles across the double-height ceiling, while inviting chairs and striking artwork (more on this later) create an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere that immediately conveys the hotel’s boutique character.

Street Cred: It’s All About Location, Location, Location

While tucked away from busy thoroughfares, The Ritus Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet provides easy access to Istanbul’s top attractions. The Hippodrome and Blue Mosque are just 100 metres away, 50 metres further is the Hagia Sophia, and a few minutes beyond that is the Topkapi Palace. Istanbul’s famous Galata Bridge and the Bosphorus ferries can also be reached in 30 minutes on foot. But for those who prefer not to walk, the tram lines are also nearby. The entire area surrounding the hotel is also filled with shops and restaurants.

Istanbul International Airport is located well outside the city, with travel to and from Sultanahmet taking roughly 45 minutes without traffic, or nearly 90 minutes during rush hour. Narrow, winding streets and frequent congestion are a common reality no matter where you are in Sultanahmet. Patience is essential. When departing, allow plenty of time to reach the airport.

Who Hangs Here: Is This Hotel For You?

The Ritus Istanbul Sultanahmet is ideal for leisure travelers looking for an intimate property with attentive service and elegant surroundings. Rooms with one or two beds suit couples or friends traveling together, while families can book adjoining rooms. The established Hilton name and the excellent value it provides have made the hotel popular with North American visitors, while increasingly attracting guests from Turkey and across Europe.

The Straight Goods: What’s In the Rooms?

The 44 non-smoking guest rooms are tastefully decorated in soft earth tones, polished wood floors and recessed ceilings. The focal point of each room is an intricate headboard depicting an iconic Istanbul landmark, created by a local artist. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, some with balconies and peekaboo views of the Blue Mosque. Seating includes two single chairs and an ottoman.

Additional amenities include a 55” flat-screen TV, a closet with hangers and drawers, hairdryer and a coffee and tea station with a Nespresso machine. Elegant china and crystal glassware further enhance the room’s ambiance, while a large bottle of mineral water and small bottles for daytime offer convenience.

The bright bathroom has a backlit mirror and a floor-to-ceiling glass shower stall with a rain showerhead and handheld faucet. A wide selection of personal amenities, from dental and shaving kits to a safe with a jewelry box insert, demonstrates the hotel’s attention to detail. Daily housekeeping and turndown service are included. Room amenities are replenished. Laundry services are available for a fee and Wi-Fi is complimentary.

Bragging Rights: What Else Has it Got?

Tucked behind the impressive lobby is a delightful and cozy atrium, featuring a large chandelier, potted greenery, and wall murals with scenes from Istanbul’s Roman and Ottoman past. It offers a quiet, comfortable place to relax on arrival or before departure, while enjoying a specialty coffee or sweet treats. A bar is integrated into the space, but with the hotel still in the final stages of securing a liquor licence, only non-alcoholic beverages are currently served. A compact but well-equipped fitness center on the lower level is outfitted with treadmills, a recumbent bike and strength-training equipment.

Good Eats: Cocktails and Cuisine

The Nardan Restaurant, on the lower level, also features an earth-toned palette and recessed ceilings. It features an elaborate breakfast buffet with a variety of Turkish items. Breakfast is not included with the room, but can be added when you book or upon check-in. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, offering a menu with soups, salads, appetizers, handhelds, pasta, seafood and meat—some focused on regional flavors. The full restaurant menu is also available through room service.

A Few of our Favourites: What Stood Out?

The Ritus Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet beautifully captures the Tapestry Collection’s focus on art, culture and design. These aesthetic elements were among the highlights of our stay. The hotel showcases artwork by Turkish artist İsmaіl Acar, who served as a consultant for the hotel’s design. Acar created 24 vibrant paintings inspired by Istanbul’s Ottoman period, depicting everyday scenes, objects and portraits of royalty. These showpieces blend effortlessly with the modern décor, offering a visual delight at every turn.

I also love how the building’s historic architectural elements have been incorporated into the hotel’s contemporary design. Inverting the building façade’s signature arches into a ‘U’ motif, the designers have subtly woven it into the hotel’s logo, room-number plaques, wall panels and even the carpet patterns.

Ritus means “rituals” in Latin. True to that concept, guests are welcomed with an arrival ritual of Turkish coffee or tea, a cold towel and a selection of Turkish pastries presented on a trolley. At breakfast, a second ritual unfolds with special breads and spreads served table-side, inspired by the Ottoman tradition of sharing bread with the community. A third ritual for departing guests is currently in development.

What stood out the most: A stay at The Ritus Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet is surprisingly affordable. Rates start at €150 or less per night during quieter periods, while peak-season rates remain reasonable, at €200-250. For a hotel of this calibre in a prime location, it represents exceptional value.

Parting Shot: If We Could Change One Thing

I was hard pressed to find fault with the hotel or its offerings. My only observation is for travelers who may need to work during their stay. The rooms do not have a traditional desk, though the small cocktail table has the appropriate height to use for computer work.