Every detail of the hotel has been meticulously thought-out by international design firm Tihany Design, to mirror not only the MO brand’s Hong Kong heritage, but the hotel’s surrounding area, too. That was just as obvious in the spectacular bedrooms as it was in lobby (where I’d spotted a beautiful wooden installation inspired by the curvaceous waves of the neighbouring natural strait).

The bathroom was crafted from the finest quality Italian marble; Diptyque toiletries filled the space – I’m still working my way through my hand cream, three months later – and the bed was so inviting that I’d made my way under the covers to order room service within 20 minutes of arriving. The staff had laid out a fruit platter and a separate platter of local, sweet delicacies (the Baklava was particularly moreish), left us a bottle of Champagne and provided a wealth of information to enable us to make the most of our stay.

More noteable than all of this was the view. As with the majority of the bedrooms at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, thanks to the hotel’s U-shape, our bedroom had an unspoiled view of the Bosphorus. Not just pretty, but wildly entertaining, I could’ve sat on the balcony all day watching the cruise ships, sailing boats, yachts and fishing boats pass by. Particularly special at sunset, I’ve actually never seen such a variety of boat venture along one stretch of water at the same time in my life. Our space made me feel like royalty.

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Nothing was too much for the staff at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus – another key takeaway. The room service we ordered upon check in was delicious and speedy (a great chicken Caesar salad, a dish I’m something of a self-proclaimed connoisseur of), and when we finally tore ourselves away from our positively palatial bedroom, the staff were equally happy to give us a tour of the spa and gym facilities.

That was another jaw-dropping moment, actually: seeing the gym for the first time. I believe even those who don’t enjoy working out on holiday would be blown away by the gym at the MO. With floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the fitness centre wraps around a luscious and mature courtyard: a space best-admired from atop one of the high-tech step machines, treadmills and cross-trainers.

Unlike most other hotel gyms I’ve used over the past few years, your routine will not be compromised by lack of equipment or suitable weights. Everything you could ever dream of using lives here – unsurprising, when part of a huge 3,500-square-meter wellness space – and the health and wellness programme on offer will keep you busy for days. There’s a pilates studio, a yoga studio and a spin studio, a personal training offering and a plethora of stregnth and conditioning classes. And don’t worry, you’ll be well-refreshed throughout. There’s fresh water, bananas, cold towels and coffees on-tap.

Once I finished a (light) workout, I headed through to the indoor pool; I’ve perhaps never swam in a more beautiful one – heated beds lined the edge of the space, and chilled fruit water was kept topped up on my “bedside table” by the forever-attentive staff. There’s a hot tub aside the heated pool, and once you’ve gotten your daily lengths in the bag (and engaged in a traditional Turkish hammam treatment, couples’ massage or Breeze of Bosphorus regeneration package), you can enjoy the cold plunge, ice buckets and sauna and steam facilities which are hidden away inside the changing rooms. Which, by the way, make you feel like you’re getting ready in the fanciest-ever dressing room of your dreams. Not a swimming pool changing room you’d otherwise rush out of.

As you can probably tell from my glowing spa review, much of my time at the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus was spent moving from bedroom to breakfast buffet (world-class) to swimming pool. But, when we managed to be a little more adventurous, we spent our time eating in Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus’ two restaurants – Olea, an upmarket Italian with captivating Bosphorus views from morning ’til evening, and Hakkasan Istanbul, a Modern Cantonese restaurant where world-class mixology and stunning design are at the heart. In both, the food and service were exceptional, though it was once again the views that stole my heart.