The Social Anthropologist

Turkey

Istanbul

Recommended Hotels 

My cousin and I were tossing up hotels for weeks before we arrived, without boring you with our banter we decided to stay in Nisantasi instead of Taksim because it was more high end, and decided against staying on the Bospherous in Bebek or Ortakoy because it was too far away from the old city and the fashion district. 

After visiting Istanbul, although I enjoyed our stay in Nisantahi I would unreservedly recommend staying at a hotel on the Bospherous.  Nisantasi is stylish and upmarket but you could be anywhere in the world and there is something quite magical about staying on the water. Some friends suggested that we stay in Taksim. Unless you’re an avid street meat person and like constant hussle and bussle I would not recommend staying in Taksim as it is loud and filled with people at all hours. The respite of the Bospherous, after trapsing throgh the Bazaar and hoards of people during the day, is ideal. 

The House Hotel Bospherous, Salhane sokak 1, Ortakoy 34343 Istanbul

In my humblest opinion nothing is better than waking up to a view of the water in the morning and this is exactly what the House Hotel Bospherous provides. Hands down one of the most quaint and relaxing design hotels I have stayed in this year The House Hotel Bospherous offers sleek, modern rooms that are well appointed and comfortable. But the best part is the view when you eat breakfast. The lounger is situated on the second floor and offers a breathtaking open plan view of the River as you sit and read your morning paper and enoy a Turkish breakfast.

Sumahan on the Water - Kuleli caddesi 51, Cengelkoy 34684 Istanbul,

Sumahan on the Water is located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, in an upscale residential neighborhood. It provides a fantastic view of the city and the water.Its rooms are again an example of Istanbuls burgeoning design and modern aesthetic movement. Definitely worth a visit. 

Witt Istanbul Suites - Deftendar Yokusu No. 26, 34433 Cihangir, Beyoglu, Istanbul, 

My best friend stayed here a month before my visit to Istanbul and loved it. An ultra-modern design hotel with only 15 suites, furnished again by design firm Autobarn, Witt Suites is located near the heart of Taksim and the CBD. A great option if you want to be in the centre of it all.

The House Hotel Nisantasi - Abdi ipecki caddesi 34, Nisantasi sisli 34367 Istanbul

Nestled in between Prada Stores in Nisantasi The House Hotel is a beautifully designed boutique hotel in an upmarket area of Istanbul. The rooms are modern and sleek in design furnished by Turkish contemporary design firm Autobarn ( they actually fit out a majority of the design hotels in Istanbul.) In traffic it can take quite some time to get to and from the centre of Sultanhamet where all the action is but this area provides a great snapshop of the modernity and upper class of Istanbul with lots of modern Turkish restaurants, high end stores and places to hang out at night.