This summer, The Peninsula Istanbul has found an elegant new way to showcase the beauty of its city: from the water. The hotel has launched PEN 1, a custom-built, 16-metre mahogany motor yacht that will offer guests seamless transfers and unforgettable private cruises along the Bosphorus.
Designed by celebrated Turkish naval architect Tanju Kalaycıoğlu and brought to life by SuMarine custom yacht builders, the vessel combines classic maritime craftsmanship with contemporary luxury. Rich teak decking, polished stainless steel, handcrafted detailing, and a gleaming hull in the signature Peninsula green make PEN 1 as much a design statement as it is a mode of transport. With space for up to 16 passengers, the yacht comes complete with a dedicated captain and crew, ensuring that you are as pampered on the water as you are on land.
The yacht provides stylish transfers between the hotel’s private dock at Galataport and key waterfront locations, including Üsküdar and Haliç (the Golden Horn). For guests arriving at Istanbul Airport, private cars deliver them to Haliç for boarding, while those landing at Sabiha Gökçen Airport are transferred to Üsküdar, with luggage sent directly to the hotel. Once on board, a Guest Experience Executive greets travellers with a glass of Champagne—setting the tone for a stay defined by elevated Peninsula hospitality.
“Sat at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Istanbul is a city best seen from the water,” says Jonathan Crook, Managing Director of The Peninsula Istanbul. “Aboard PEN 1, guests of The Peninsula Istanbul can discover the buzzing metropolis in style, with sweeping views of both continents and in complete serenity, all with the impeccable hospitality they have come to expect.”
Beyond transfers, PEN 1 is also available for tailor-made private voyages. Whether a romantic sunset sail, a birthday celebration, or an intimate anniversary gathering, each cruise can be customised to a guest’s preference. What remains constant is the dazzling backdrop of the Bosphorus and the award-winning hotel’s signature attentive service.
The launch of PEN 1 enhances the sense of place The Peninsula Istanbul already offers. Nestled along the Bosphorus in Karaköy’s Galataport, the hotel occupies four elegant waterfront buildings surrounded by gardens, and sits near landmarks including Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. Its 177 rooms and suites, many with sweeping water views, are complemented by a host of distinctive experiences, from GALLADA, the Turkish-Asian restaurant helmed by chef Fatih Tutak, to the opulent spa with traditional hammams and its own private dock.
With PEN 1, The Peninsula Istanbul extends its luxury offering onto the water—transforming a simple transfer or cruise into a memorable encounter with the city. Whether arriving in style or sailing into the sunset, guests can expect the rarefied blend of design, comfort, and service that defines The Peninsula Istanbul.
To find out more about The Peninsula Istanbul and book, visit the links below:
The Peninsula Istanbul
Karaköy, Kemankeş Karamustafapaşa Mahallesi
Kemankeş Caddesi No:34,
34425 Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Türkiye
Web: peninsula.com
Tel: +90 212 931 2888
Email: pit@peninsula.com
Instagram: @thepeninsulaistanbulhotel