Making Hotel History in Istanbul Since 1955

By 1950, founder Conrad Hilton’s hotels had made him as a successful entrepreneur in the United States. But he had grander ambitions. On a fact-finding trip that year, Hilton and company president W. Houser recognized the location, culture, history, and popularity among tourists that made Istanbul an ideal place to introduce Hilton to the world.

On August 9, 1951, the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Hilton Hotels International signed an agreement to build a Hilton hotel in Istanbul. Award-winning Turkish architect Sedat Hakkı Eldem collaborated with the renowned Skidmore, Owings & Merrill firm on a design that combined modern and Turkish styles, infusing local character in every detail. Hilton Istanbul was built in 21 months, and was the tallest building in the city at the time.

On June 10, 1955, celebrities, journalists, business luminaries, and Conrad Hilton himself gathered to celebrate the grand opening of our historic hotel. Guests including stars like Olivia de Havilland and Terry Moore arrived on two private planes called “The Flying Carpet” and “The Magic Carpet.”

The opening of Hilton Istanbul ushered in a new era for Turkey. The first five-star international hotel showcased local art, design, and culture to guests from all over the world – from the hand-woven rugs and decorative tiles to the large paintings on the walls. To this day, guests at many Hilton hotels are greeted with a welcome coffee or a welcome cocktail, a tradition that originated at Hilton Istanbul.

Rooms, meeting rooms, and public areas located in the left wing of the hotel were entered their first phase of the renovation in 2023.

Rooms in the right wing of the hotel will be renovated, along with public areas including the lobby and restaurants.

On our 70th anniversary, we’ll welcome guests to the completely redesigned Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus.