Istanbul Guide

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WORLD HOUSE HOSTEL HOSTEL € Map p248 ( % 0212-293 5520; www.worldhouse istanbul.com; Galipdede Caddesi 85, Galata; dm €9-22, d €36-68, tr €48-78; iW ; m Şişhane, L Tünel) Tucked behind the Latife Cafe, this long-standing and justly popular hostel is close to Beyoğlu’s entertainment strips but not too far from the sights in Sultanahmet. Nonstandard hostel features include double glazed windows and an in-house lokanta (serving ready-made food; lunch ₺10). All dorms are mixed (the best are in the front building) and bathrooms are clean (one shower/toilet for every nine beds). o KARAKÖY ROOMS BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€ Map p248 ( % 0212-252 5422; http://karakoy rooms.com; Galata Şarap İskelesi Sokak 10, Karaköy; standard r €80-130, studio €130-200; naW ; j Karaköy) Occupying five floors above one of the city’s best-loved restaurants, this splen did hotel has only 12 rooms – book well in advance. The double and deluxe rooms are spacious, comfortable, well-equipped and of fer exceptional value for money. The pricier studios are enormous, with well-equipped kitchenettes. Decor is super-stylish through out and the breakfast (served in the restau rant) is lavish and delicious. o CASA DI BAVA BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€ Map p247 ( % 0538-377 3877; www.casadibava istanbul.com; Bostanbaşı Caddesi 28, Çukurcuma; economy €140, 1-bedroom apt €180, 2-bedroom penthouse €320; naWc# ; m Taksim) The two-bedroom penthouse apartment at this recently opened suite hotel is an absolute knockout, and the 11 one-bedroom apart ments in the 1880s building are impres sive, too. All are stylishly decorated and well-appointed, with original artworks, fully equipped kitchenettes and washing ma chines. The basement suites are smaller and less expensive; all have daily maid service. In room breakfast costs €6 per person. o TOMTOM SUITES BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€ Map p248 ( % 0212-292 4949; www.tomtomsuites. com; Tomtom Kaptan Sokak 18, Tophane; standard ste €150-170, deluxe ste €170-325; naiWc ; j Tophane) We’re more than happy to beat the drum about this hotel, occupying a for mer Franciscan nunnery off İstiklal Cad desi. Its contemporary decor is understated but elegant, levels of service are high and the suites are spacious and beautifully ap pointed. A delicious and generous breakfast is served in the rooftop restaurant with its

panoramic view. Sadly, dinner is consider ably less impressive. o WITT ISTANBUL HOTEL BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€ Map p248 ( % 0212-293 1500; www.wittistanbul. com; Defterdar Yokuşu 26, Cihangir; d ste €125 285, terrace ste €195-450; aiW ; m Taksim, j Tophane) Showcasing nearly as many de signer features as an issue of Monocle , this stylish apartment hotel in Cihangir offers spacious suites with seating area, CD/DVD player, espresso machine, king-size bed and swish bathroom. Most have kitchenettes and a few have panoramic terraces (there’s also a communal rooftop terrace). It’s a short but steep climb from the Tophane tram stop. BANKERHAN HOTEL BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€ Map p248 ( % 0212-243 5617; www.bankerhan.com; Banker Sokağı 2, Galata; standard s/d €79/99, tw €120, king & loft r €120-129; naiW ; j Karaköy) Budget and boutique aren’t concepts that sit comfortably together, but this recently opened hotel on the edge of Galata and Karaköy can legitimately claim to be both. The owners have a notable contemporary-art collection that is scattered throughout the building, and the 36 rooms are both stylish and comfortable. The cheapest options are cramped – upgrade if possible. HAMAMHANE BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€ Map p248 ( % 0212-293 4963; www.hammamhane. com; Çukurcuma Caddesi 45, Çukurcuma; stu dio €110, f & ste €140; naiWc ; j Tophane) Çukurcuma is one of the few enclaves in Beyoğlu to retain an authentic neighbour hood feel, so it’s a great spot for a city so journ. Each of the spacious studios and suites at this keenly priced hotel come with a fully equipped kitchenette and clothes wash er/dryer. Decor is Ikea-stylish and there’s an extremely pleasant ground-floor dining room and terrace. It’s worth noting that the owners have plans to renovate and open the adjoining hamam. While this occurs, con struction noise and dust may be a problem. VAULT KARAKÖY BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€ Map p248 ( % 212-244 6434; www.thehousehotel. com; Bankalar Caddesi 5, Karaköy; s €109-209, d €134-234, ste €159-959; aiW# ; m Şişhane, j Karaköy) This flagship property of İstanbul’s fashionable House Hotel group is a stylish and evocative meld of old and new. Occupying a grand bank building complete with vaults (hence the name), facilities in clude a gym, hamam, lobby bar/restaurant

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