
17.05.2012 / World Bulletin
Sleeping in old Istanbul
BeyoÄŸlu, just north of the Golden Horn in Istanbul, is an historic center for culture, trade and diplomacy. Back in the 1800s, this area hosted the embassies, the foreign merchants and the passengers of the Orient Expess, who used to sleep at Pera Palace Hotel.
Not too far from the tourist attractions of Sultanahment, Beyoğlu is an excellent place to stay in Istanbul, lively and dotted with shops, restaurants and cafés. In the heart of the neighborhood, Galata Antique Hotel is a recently renovated family-run boutique hotel with affordable rates and an innovative design concept.
Behind the project are the architects at Turkish studio Bureau212, who managed to blend modernity with history adding a contemporary touch to the historical shell of a Neo- Renaissance style mansion originally built as the winter residence for the family of of a French businessman.
The whole idea seems to revolve around a vaguely nostalgic concept filtered through a contemporary eye: white walls with black outlines and stuccoed ceilings coexist with minimal parquet floor and hyper-modern mirrored walls decorated with romantic quotes from La vie en Rose, and every one of the 22 room has its own character.
Yet, one of the best things to do at Galata Antique Hotel is sitting on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Golden Horn and enjoying a hearty Turkish breakfast.
In the picture: a recently renovated executive suite
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