Kemeralti Caddesi No:10, Karakoy, Istanbul, Turkey | (618) 248-8274
Luxury boutique hotel with contemporary style and historic details
Located in hip Karaköy, close to public transportation
Upscale guest rooms with custom-designed furniture
In-room iPod docks, minibars, and espresso machines
Marble bathrooms with high-end MALIN+GOETZ products
Multiple full-service restaurants, cafes, and bars
Rooftop bar with Bosphorus views
Gym with LifeFitness equipment
Laundry, dry cleaning, and ironing (fees)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Not with a reasonable walk of most top sights
Guest rooms are smallish with bland decor
No spa, pool, hammam, or sauna on-site
Gym in a dreary room and poorly equipped
Breakfast costs extra
For travelers seeking a luxury hotel that's refined but not stuffy—and even some on-trend details in public spaces—this boutique property will likely fit the bill. The four-pearl hotel is located in hip Karaköy, though while it's convenient to public transit, most top sights are a hike, particularly in the heat. Highlights include multiple restaurants, cafes, and cocktail lounges, including a rooftop bar with views of the Bosphorus. But wellness amenities are lacking, with a dark, sparsely equipped gym, and no spa, hammam, or pool on-site. The 71 guest rooms have custom-designed furniture and upscale amenities like iPod docs, minibars, and espresso machines, and a few have private terraces, but decor in all is bland. For more stylish digs and better features, consider checking into the W Hotel up the road in Beşiktaş.
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Scene
Contemporary and elegant lobby and restaurants for well-heeled guests
Much like the neighborhood itself, 10 Karaköy is a historical structure that’s been given a thorough makeover. The elegant, cavernous lobby has contemporary decor, with ring-shaped chandeliers, sophisticated neutrals, velvet-covered sofas, slipper chairs, and ottomans in an appealing melange of on-trend blues. A similar look continues in other modern spaces, including the four on-site restaurants and lounges. Neon signs in English reading: "Eat, Drink, Boogie, Repeat" overshadow any traditional Turkish elements, with the exception of the occasional canvas or sculpture by contemporary Turkish artists. The upmarket atmosphere (along with a pricey rate to match) make it a favorite among well-to-do urban professionals, particularly couples, although business travelers often pass through, too.
Location
In hip Karakoy near public transit, but most top sights aren't within walking distance
Few neighborhoods in Istanbul have undergone as dramatic a transformation as Karaköy in the past decade. Until recently, it was a network of shops, mechanics, hookah bars, and derelict buildings. Now, the enclave just north of Galata Bridge is a leading hipster haunt home to luxury hotels, hammams, art galleries, and fashion boutiques, all with a young, quirky twist. Accessing many major sights requires taking public transit, but the hotel's location near the junction of the Golden Horn and Bosphorus puts a tram stop only a two-minute walk away. A funicular up to the Taksim area is just a five-minute stroll. Istanbul's legendary traffic jams can significantly affect travel time. Expect anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours by cab to reach Istanbul Atatürk Airport. - Eight-minute walk to Galata Tower
Rooms
Elegant, upscale, and nicely equipped, but smallish and bland
Guest rooms and suites are smallish, and beige tones paired with blonde-wood, and only minimal, muted blue accents make spaces feel bland overall. Still, they have an elegant, upscale look, with custom-designed furniture, artsy photographs of Istanbul, and high-end amenities. All contain air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs (though they're small), iPod docking stations, espresso machines, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. A few guest rooms have smaller arched windows, which gives some historical character, but less light. Marble bathrooms are similarly styled, with blue tiling and wall art that's more mid-range than luxe, though there are attractive vanities with basin sinks and curvy, tapered legs. They're also well-equipped, with walk-in showers, terrycloth bathrobes, slippers, and posh Malin+Goetz toiletries. Loft Suites add a separate living room, king beds, and the occasional private terrace. Only the penthouse comes with a separate bathtub.
Features
Four dining options including a rooftop bar, but lacking in wellness amenities
The 10 Karaköy Istanbul delivers luxurious amenities to its clientele, though some features found at similar properties in this range are missing. Drinking and dining is a highlight, with four on-site restaurants. A high-quality breakfast is served for an extra charge, with traditional Turkish and Western items, plus lunch and dinner. There's also a stylish rooftop bar with Bosphorus views. For wellness, there's a gym with modern LifeFitness cardio and weight-training machines, but it's sparsely equipped and in a dark, cramped space with no natural light. No spa, pool, sauna, or hammam on-site is a considerable drawback. Service, however, is top-notch, as several past guests have reported friendly and helpful staff. Other amenities include a 24-hour front desk with concierge to provide tourist assistance and other services, and for an extra fee, airport transfers, laundry, dry cleaning, and ironing. Guests are given loaner mobile phones with free data and local and international calls, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.
