Istanbul's Hidden Gem: Lapis Inn Hotel & Spa (Former Ambassador Hotel) - Unforgettable Luxury!
Istanbul's Lapis Inn: More Than Just a Hotel, It's a Turkish Delight (and a Few Minor Gripes!)
Alright, buckle up, because I'm about to gush (and maybe grumble a little) about the Lapis Inn Hotel & Spa, formerly known as the Ambassador Hotel, in Istanbul. Forget those generic hotel reviews, this is going to be raw, real, and probably a bit chaotic, just like my trip there.
First things first: Accessibility. Okay, this is important, and I'm not an expert, but I got the feeling the Lapis Inn tries. There’s an elevator which is a HUGE plus in Istanbul’s hilly streets. I saw mention of facilities for disabled guests, though I didn't personally need them so couldn't evaluate them firsthand. It's a good sign, but you definitely need to confirm the specifics with the hotel beforehand.
Getting Situated:
- Location, Location, Location! It's in a fantastic spot. Close enough to the touristy bits but far enough to feel like you're actually experiencing Istanbul, not just a tourist trap.
- Check-in and out: I used the contactless check-in/out, which was a breeze, especially the late night.
- Housekeeping: Daily housekeeping was good, but sometimes they forgot to leave enough coffee sachets, which, as a caffeine-addicted Brit, was a minor tragedy.
Let's Talk Rooms, Baby:
The rooms are… let’s call them charming. Mine had air conditioning (essential!), a mini bar (tempting!), and a balcony (bliss!). The Wi-Fi was free and mostly reliable (a few hiccups, but hey, it's not the Ritz!). I also appreciated the darkness curtains, which helped me sleep through the city sounds in the first few days. There was also access to free bottled water, hair dryer, bathroom phone, private bathroom…
I want to say, the bathrobes and slippers were AMAZING. I basically lived in them. There wasn’t an additional toilet in the common room.
I will say, the room wasn't exactly HUGE. So if you’re looking for sprawling luxury, or you are not travelling alone, this might not be perfect. However, with the desk and laptop workspace and mirror, it was still pretty comfortable.
The Spa: Pure Turkish Delight (Mostly!)
Okay, confession time: I'm a spa addict. And the Lapis Inn's spa? It's glorious. The sauna was divine, a perfect way to sweat out the city grime. But let me gush about the massage. I had one. The massage was not only incredible, but it also set me back significantly and led me to a second massage.
Forget the Fitness center and other gym/fitness aspects and let's go into the spa. There was the Pool with view!
The Sauna, Steamroom was so good, it was nice to try all. The Pool was a perfect place to chill, especially the way it had the view!
I'm sure there was a Body scrub but I didn't try to find it.
Food, Glorious Food:
The Breakfast [buffet] was epic. Seriously, the spread was mind-blowing. I’m talking mountains of pastries, fresh fruit, Turkish delight (of course!), and everything in between. They catered for me as a vegetarian! The Coffee/tea in restaurant, and Coffee shop were also well worth trying. The Asian breakfast was another one and it set the standard. The was an A la carte in restaurant, and a Buffet in restaurant. The Poolside bar was nice!
There were restaurants on offer. The Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant. I've heard nothing about it, but there could be Asian cuisine in restaurant, and International cuisine in restaurant. The Alternative meal arrangement was a good option to have! (which I thought I wanted to try).
And don’t even get me started on the Happy hour at the bar. Let’s just say, evenings got… interesting.
Security and Cleanliness – My Peace of Mind
This is a big one, especially these days. The Lapis Inn seemed incredibly committed to cleanliness and safety. I saw evidence of anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and room sanitization between stays. There were hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, and staff wore masks. They had sterilizing equipment, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, and a doctor/nurse on call.
Things to Do
- Proximity to Landmarks: The location is ideal for exploring the iconic landmarks. I walked to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar.
- Shopping: The hotel is near some great shops!
- Explore Local Culture: I recommend taking a Turkish cooking class!
The Quirks and the Critiques:
- The Staff: Mostly lovely, but occasionally a little… disorganised? There was a slight language barrier at times, but everyone was genuinely friendly and eager to help.
- Minor Imperfections: Some parts of the hotel are showing their age, but the charm outweighs any flaws. Plus, the imperfections are usually things that make you feel a little more at home.
- The Elevator… Again: It got a little slow at peak times, so be prepared to exercise your legs!
The Offer: Your Istanbul Escape Awaits!
Okay, here's the deal: if you're looking for a luxurious, centrally located hotel with a killer spa, fantastic food, and a genuine Istanbul experience, the Lapis Inn Hotel & Spa (Former Ambassador Hotel) is your spot.
Here's the Deal:
- Book now and get a complimentary Turkish bath experience! (That’s worth it!)
- Use code "ISTANBULMAGIC" at checkout for a 10% discount on your stay!
- We're offering a free airport transfer for stays of 5 nights or more!
Why Choose the Lapis Inn?
- Unbeatable Location: Step right into the heart of Istanbul's magic.
- Indulgent Spa: Melt away your stress with Turkish bath and massage!
- Delicious Food: Eat your way through a Turkish paradise.
- Clean, Safe, and Comfortable: Enjoy peace of mind during your travels.
- Charming Atmosphere: Experience the authentic Istanbul charm.
Book your stay at the Lapis Inn Hotel & Spa today and experience the magic of Istanbul! Don't just visit, LIVE!
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Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're navigating Istanbul like a tourist with a questionable sense of direction and a heart full of (hopefully) good memories. Forget your perfectly curated travel blogs, this is the unfiltered, slightly chaotic, and definitely opinionated journey through the Lapis Inn Hotel & Spa (fancy-pants name, Ambassador Hotel vibes, whatever) and beyond.
Istanbul: A Love Affair (with Caffeine and Chaos) - My Messy Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh My God, This City!"
- Morning (or was it afternoon? Jet lag is a cruel mistress): Landed at Istanbul Airport. Ugh. Airports. The purgatory of travel. Managed to navigate the chaos, locate my luggage (miracle!), and hail a taxi. The drive into the city? A rollercoaster of honking horns, buildings crammed together like sardines, and a general sense of "where am I?!" Beautiful, vibrant, and utterly bonkers, all at once.
- Afternoon (or late afternoon, let's be honest): Arrived at the Lapis Inn. Okay, cute. Small. Cozy. The lobby smelled faintly of… something. Incense? Mystery. Checked in, fumbled with the keycard (always), and finally made it to my room. Views? Yes. Overlooking a jumble of rooftops, the Bosphorus a hazy blue in the distance. Instantly thought, "This is where it's at!"
- Evening: First wander. Got lost immediately. Found a random kebab shop, the one thing I was not ready for was how I felt. The street food was divine. Pure, unadulterated heaven. My taste buds were doing the tango. Wandered the streets, got completely disoriented, but in a good way. Every corner, every alley, was a story waiting to be told. The Blue Mosque in the distance was mesmerized.
Day 2: History, Hagia Sophia, and the Great Bazaar – Or, How I Learned to Haggle (Sort Of!).
- Morning: Okay, gotta get my history on. Headed to the Hagia Sophia. Prepare yourself, people. It's breathtaking. Honestly, I teared up a little. The sheer scale, the history swirling within those walls… Damn. Just. Damn. Felt dwarfed and inspired all at once.
- Lunch: Found a little cafe around, ordered a menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs with vegetables, a breakfast favorite). It was okay. Needed more chili flakes. My quest for the perfect Turkish breakfast continues.
- Afternoon: Grand Bazaar. Oh. My. God. The crowds! The colors! The sheer volume of… everything! Tried haggling for a scarf. Failed miserably. Ended up buying a scarf I could probably get cheaper, but hey, the experience! The shopkeeper's grin was worth every lira (which I thought was a lot, not a great haggle).
- Evening: Wandered through the Spice Bazaar. The smells!! Cinnamon, cloves, saffron… intoxicating. Bought some spices, probably more than I need, but who cares? They smell amazing. Decided to take it (too much) easy and stay in.
Day 3: Turkish Bath (Hamam) - Possibly the Most Relaxing and Awkward Experience of My Life.
- Morning: Planned the Hamam experience. It was the hardest part of the trip.
- Afternoon: Headed to the Hamam. The experience? Utterly bizarre. Stripping down, being scrubbed raw by a burly man (who might have been a woman, honestly, I couldn't see through the steam!), and then being lathered in soap. It was awkward. And also… amazing? Skin felt like a baby's butt afterward. Seriously. I felt reborn. Also, completely vulnerable. But in a good way?
- Evening: Strolled around the city. Found a little place. Had a strong Turkish coffee, which I swear is the equivalent of rocket fuel, and watched the chaotic beauty of Istanbul unfold.
Day 4: Boat Trip, Spice Market and Istanbul After Dark..
- Morning: Started the morning off with a boat trip on the Bosphorus. The water was a deep blue, the coastline dotted with gorgeous waterfront palaces. It's a beautiful experience, it was perfect even with my anxiety.
- Lunch: Had a simple lunch. Found a small cafe overlooking the water. The view was magnificent
- Afternoon: Spice Market revisit. I was determined to find some good spices. My quest for the perfect Turkish spices has not been in vain.
- Evening: Istanbul after dark. Walked through the streets to observe the streets at night. The hustle, the bustle, the lights… everything was just a dream. Found a rooftop restaurant. Views and food were great.
Day 5: Departure and The Longing to Return
- Morning: One last Turkish breakfast (much better this time, found the perfect chili flakes!). Squeezed in a final walk around the neighborhood, soaking up that Istanbul energy one last time.
- Afternoon: Okay, airport time. Another airport. Sigh. But this time, I'm leaving with a heart full of memories, a brain full of stories, and a suitcase full of spices.
- Evening: Plane ride. As I looked through the window, I was already planning my return. I'll come back to that love affair and chaos.
The Lapis Inn Hotel & Spa:
- Pros: Cute. Clean. Staff was friendly. The spa bit really nice. Location was pretty decent, easy access to a lot of stuff.
- Cons: The room was a bit small. The wifi was spotty at times. The breakfast was… alright. But hey, I'm here for Istanbul, not the hotel breakfast buffet.
Istanbul: Final Thoughts:
This city? It's a beast. It's loud, it's crowded, it's overwhelming. But it's also magic. It's beautiful, it's historic, it's delicious. It grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me. I'm already daydreaming about my return. And I'll be back. Istanbul, you crazy thing. I love you. (And I need a nap.) And maybe a strong Turkish coffee. Or three.
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So, what *is* this whole thing about, anyway? Like, what's the *point* of even asking these questions? Are we lost?
Okay, deep breaths. The point? Well, I *think* the point is supposed to be providing answers, right? But honestly? Most days, I feel like the point is to procrastinate doing the actual work. It's like... instead of actually *living* the experience, I'm overthinking it through a series of questions. It's meta, and I'm pretty sure my therapist would have a field day. We're *all* lost, darling. That’s part of the fun! Don’t you worry about a thing.
Okay, fine. But, can you just give me the *basic* gist? Like, the elevator pitch?
The elevator pitch? Right. Imagine you're crammed into an elevator... um, surrounded by a bunch of questions. (My metaphors are still a work in progress, forgive me!) It's about what *feels* important, you know? The little nagging thoughts, the burning curiosities, the stuff that makes you go, "...huh?" at 3 AM. It's about…well, it's about *everything* and *nothing* all at once. Because that's life, isn't it? A giant, confusing muddle.
So, what’s the *worst* part? Like, the absolute *worst* thing you’ve experienced? Come on, spill the tea!
Alright, alright, fine. Let’s talk about *The Incident*. Oh, God, just the *sound* of that phrase is enough to make me break out in a cold sweat. It involves… well, let's just say it involved a particularly ambitious attempt at a recipe, a near-catastrophic kitchen fire, and the overwhelming smell of burnt… whatever. (I'm still not entirely sure *what* I was even trying to make.) The memory makes me twitch. The worst part? The sheer, abject *failure*. The feeling that I was, and am, completely incompetent in the kitchen. And the lingering charred odor. Ugh. Ick. Don't even get me *started* on the smoke detectors! I'm practically a pyromaniac... if pyromaniacs hated fire and really sucked at cooking. *shivers*
And the *best* part? Is there *anything* good that’s come out of this whole… experience?
Oh, absolutely. Despite my ongoing battle with the cooking world, yes. Let me think... The *best* part? The realization that screw ups are, well, part of the deal. You know? It’s *impossible* to live a life without a little bit of a mess. You *have* to be willing to laugh at the disaster. And maybe even learn something. I mean, I *did* get really good at ordering takeout! And I'm better at accepting that I'm just not cut out for some things. And that's okay. It's a relief, really. I'm allowed to not be perfect. And honestly, you should too. Plus, I’ve got some *amazing* stories to tell now. The Incident, for example, is gold at parties.
How do you deal with the inevitable ups and downs? The emotional rollercoaster of… well, of *life*?
Oh, honey, you're asking the *real* questions now. How to deal with the emotional rollercoaster? That, my friend, is a lifelong pursuit. First, coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Then, a good cry (highly recommended, clears the sinuses). And then, I try *really* hard to remember that nothing is permanent. The sadness, the joy, the boredom... it all ebbs and flows. And… and I try to find the humor in it all. Even when it feels like I'm standing knee-deep in a swamp and alligators are circling. Especially then, actually! Because if you can't laugh at the absurdities of life, you're doomed. Plus, chocolate. Chocolate helps too. And friends. Don't forget friends.
What's the advice you give yourself when you're spiraling?
This is a good one, and it varies. It’s something between “Stop talking” (because I'm a talker, and my rambling is often the source of spiraling), and "Okay, okay, you’re getting worked up. What *specifically* is bothering you?” Then I go through the mental checklist: Am I hungry? Tired? Did I miss a phone call? Have I over-caffeinated which is something I might have just done because I'm writing this at 3 AM? Also, I tell myself, "This too shall pass.” It’s cheesy, but it works most of the time. So, I tell *myself* I'm not actually doomed. Usually. Okay fine, *sometimes*. Look, I'm a work in progress, okay? Just like everything else. That’s the advice, I give myself, but it’s the advice I *should* be taking, and it’s usually the advice I forget to take because I’m too busy spiraling. See, I'm a mess!
What's the most irritating thing about *this* whole process? What’s the biggest struggle?
Oh, God. Where do I even *begin*? The biggest struggle? Probably the internal judge, the one that screams that the whole thing is stupid. The one that tells me I’m overthinking *every single thing*. The one that says I'm not good enough, not interesting enough, not… well, you get the idea. That inner critic is a real jerk. I would love to slap that guy. And I think a lot of other people here would too. So, yeah, fighting that…that’s the single biggest struggle. It's exhausting. But, here we are, doing it anyway! We're all just stumbling around, trying to figure it out. Maybe the messiness is the point.
Okay, fine, if you had all the money in the world, what would you do?
First, I'd hire a personal chef. And a cleaning lady. And a therapist. And a masseuse. Okay, okay, that's a joke. Obviously, I’d do… a lot. I'd travel. I’d buy a ridiculous house with a huge library. But more importantly, I'd invest in all kinds ofBest Hotels Blog
