The luxury of five-star dining

Doors open, thick carpets stifling the sounds of traffic and the crowds. After the security check you look for the restaurant. Some peace. Why would someone choose to dine in a five-star hotel rather than in a restaurant?

With all the new, trendy eateries that have recently opened in Istanbul, you can choose from Italian, nouvelle Thai, Mongolian grills and sushi as well as a variety of Turkish regional cuisine with local wines and liquors.

Then there are the famous Istanbul views. There is nothing like the Bosphorus, seen from the hilltops or the shores, its constant change of light and colour, its ferries, bridges and seagulls. With all these possibilities of flavours and atmospheres, why go to a smart hotel to eat? Well, to put it simply, the service and the privacy. The facility to order in English, to be treated well even when capricious, and mostly to relax and be sure that you can enjoy an exceptional meal. Many famous Turks, some government officials as well as foreigners prefer to eat in hotel restaurants to remain anonymous.

The hotels that I have looked at mainly cater to a business clientele. Most of their restaurants have rooms set aside for private meetings. Wine lists are more varied than “outside” restaurants, chefs are international and award-winning, the waiters university graduates.