Inside Jose Mourinho’s five-star Istanbul hotel ‘home’ – and the incredible total cost so far – as he prepares for Man United reunion
Jose Mourinho has been at the forefront of European football in the 21st century, rarely far from the spotlight in a glittering managerial career that has taken him across the continent.
He may now be on the edge of Europe, both figuratively and physically, after joining Fenerbahce last summer, but Mourinho was never going to fade quietly into the background in Turkey.
The Portuguese coach, now 61, is four months into what he hopes will be another successful chapter of his life.
The 61-year-old is preparing to welcome his former club Manchester United to Istanbul in the Europa League this week – and he will prepare for that match from his new home, the five-star Four Seasons Bosphorus hotel, which is located on the banks of the Bosphorus.
No expense has been spared for Mourinho – who has been staying there since arriving in Turkey – with the cheapest room in the lavish hotel costing £1,000 a night.
Jose Mourinho lives in the five-star Four Seasons hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus
The cheapest room in the luxury hotel will cost punters a whopping £1,000 per night
Mourinho has been staying at the Four Seasons hotel since he moved to Turkey in June
There are two swimming pools, including an indoor pool that Mourinho would swim in every morning
Although a seemingly exorbitant cost to the average person, the price of not permanently establishing the club is a small change for Mourinho, a man with an income of £10 million per season in Turkey.
Given that Mourinho was appointed for 142 days on June 2, it is estimated that he has already racked up a bill of £142,000 at the Four Seasons, even though this is only 1.42 percent of his annual salary.
Mourinho describes himself as the ‘leading destination for luxury accommodation in Istanbul’ and Mourinho’s views from his suite in this 19th-century palace on the European side of the city extend across the Bosphorus, all the way to the Asian side where Fenerbahçe is established.
During his time as United manager, Mourinho stayed in a Premium Riverside Suite at The Lowry Hotel, but the Four Seasons is on a different level.
The hotel’s website describes the location as ‘one of the best hotels in Istanbul’, where ‘we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service and amenities to ensure your stay is nothing short of extraordinary.’
The description continues: ‘Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, our thoughtfully designed rooms and suites offer the perfect blend of comfort and elegance.
‘Enjoy world-class dining options, relax in our spa or simply unwind as you gaze at the breathtaking views of the Bosphorus from your room.
‘Known as one of the best hotels in Bosphorus, Istanbul, our commitment to excellence guarantees an unforgettable stay.’
The number of facilities at Mourinho’s disposal is simply mind-boggling; the hotel has five restaurants.
This includes all-day dining, a fish and seafood restaurant, a lunch restaurant with Asian and Mediterranean inspirations, a pop-up and brunch with kebabs and meze, while guests can also dine in their rooms.
The hotel also features a luxurious, state-of-the-art outdoor swimming pool, which is heated
Mourinho’s view from his suite in this 19th-century palace on the European side of the city extends across the Bosphorus, all the way to the Asian side where Fenerbahçe is based
There are several amenities available at Mourinho, with the hotel boasting five restaurants
However, when Mail Sport visited the hotel, we reported that hotel staff jokingly order Mourinho the same thing for dinner every night: chicken soup followed by margherita pizza, ice cream and sparkling water.
The only thing he can cook is scrambled eggs. Occasionally he ventures a few hundred yards out of the hotel into the busy streets of Besiktas to a favorite döner kebab joint, where staff showed Mail Sport footage of Mourinho eating alone and revealed he had told them asked not to share it.
In addition to the breathtaking views from the hotel, it also features two state-of-the-art swimming pools.
The indoor pool, where Mourinho regularly swims every morning before being driven by a driver to Fenerbahce’s training ground, has underwater speakers.
Meanwhile, the outdoor pool, which is located on the shore of the Bosphorus, is heated, which can be especially useful when temperatures in Istanbul drop to an average of nine degrees in January.
There’s also an impressive fitness center and spa, while the hotel also has an electric car charging station, although Mourinho is unlikely to be a driver as he makes use of that.
Fenerbahce was willing to rent the best house in town, but Mourinho – who signed a two-year contract upon arrival – opted for hotel life.
Mail Sport understands this is down to the Portuguese coach’s desire to get things done, with Mourinho believing this would be made possible by staying in a hotel.
There are seven different hotel suite options, although it is unclear which Mourinho has
Mourinho plots the downfall of his former club Man United on Thursday evening
There are seven different hotel suite options at the Four Seasons, although it’s unclear which one Mourinho has.
The Palace Roof Suite is an example of the accommodation offering on offer. This includes a king-size bed, private terrace, marble bathroom and views of the Bosphorus Strait and the coast of Asia.
Overall, it is clear that Mourinho is living a life of luxury in Istanbul. While things aren’t quite right yet on the pitch, the 61-year-old has everything he needs to succeed on it.
And if he can pull off a memorable victory against his former club on Thursday, Mourinho might celebrate with a visit to one of the Four Seasons’ five restaurants, or perhaps take a dip in the pool.