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The W Istanbul serves as the centerpiece of the redevelopment of the landmark Akaretler Row Houses in Besiktas. These beautiful, very tall, and elegant terraced houses were built along two sides of two streets in 1875 under the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, as living quarters for high-ranking officers of the Dolmabahce Palace; a symbol of magnificence of the 19th-century Ottoman Empire.
Location
The Akaretler district of Istanbul is now known for its destination restaurants, bars, and cafes and is just a few minutes’ walk from the Bosporus and all the ferries that can get you pretty much anywhere in the city. The hotel is also a stone’s throw away from Dolmabahce Palace and Istanbul Modern Art Museum and a short drive to the Old City, Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque.
Style & Character
The Akaretler Row Houses were converted and renovated a few years ago into this stylish W Hotel Istanbul. The hotel layout is a bit crazy, but that’s part of its charm. Typical to W hotels, it has an amazing mix of lighting and art pieces, interior decor that turns even a mundane elevator ride into something quite interesting.
Its top-notch interior design contrasts perfectly with the historical significance of the property. The ultra-modern touches are contrasted by historical elements that make the interior extra cool. The hallways are lit by a purple glowing light offset by mirrors that literally have glass and crystal glued to them.
Rooms
The 140 guestrooms and suites in W Istanbul carry the soul of both history and contemporary luxury. One unique aspect of this hotel is the rooms and suites, which have a private garden, terrace, or cabana. The upper-floor cabana rooms have a bridge that crosses over into your own private cabana. Marmara marble, Ottoman patterns, and lighting to experiment with your mood. Rooms and suites have gardens, terraces, or cabanas and are adorned with flat-screen TVs, the signature W bed, and stylish luxuries, including massive rain showerheads and Bliss toiletries. The gardens (pictured above) are just the perfect place to relax and such an unusual use of space.
Designed by renowned Turkish designer Mahmut Anlar, the WOW Suite is one you could stay in forever. All-the-way-up-there seven-meter high ceilings and tall windows, this suite is an airy duplex complete with a separate mezzanine-level bedroom, customized living room, stunning dining room, kitchen, 1 1/2 bathrooms, and modern luxuries throughout for every whim and fancy. The exclusive bedroom features skylights above the spa bath, an enormous massage shower, and a four-poster W signature bed. The luxurious living room features a Bang & Olufsen stereo system, an iPhone dock, and a 42-inch LG LCD flat-screen TV.
The Top Floor Rock Star Signature Suite is the best suite in the hotel. Arrive via a private lift to your own floor, and relax on your exclusive terrace as you take in the sunset over the Bosphorus. Spectacular skylights across the Extreme WOW Suite flood the suite with sunlight and a view of the starry sky. Lounge in the two living areas’ carefully hand-picked details and a few non-essentials, including a DJ Booth! Recharge and sip bubbly in your room with a private traditional Turkish bath.
Service & Facilities
There is also a FIT Fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and a Day Spa at the W Istanbul.
Food & Drink
The New World and the Far East inspire gastronomic delicacies. Themed bento boxes support the menu des petites concept, giving the cuisine a distinctive look and feel unique to Istanbul.
Several restaurants are part of the whole renovation complex. Breakfast is a superb buffet with Middle Eastern fair and made-to-order eggs and other hot items. There is also an area close by with a myriad of bars and restaurants of all kinds, as well as a nice grocery store to stock your fridge full of goodies.
One of the highlights of this hotel is the W Lounge with its dramatic entrance, a tunnel of light leading to the reclusive and exclusive Lounge. This is the place to see and be seen in Istanbul. This ultra-chic bar plays the finest rhythms from Istanbul’s most avant-garde DJs. Expect chill-out tracks by day, funky, electric, and eclectic, and mesmerizing music by night. Watch the evening evolve. Feel the temperature rise. Live the vibrancy within a truly chic ambiance as you casually sip a signature W handcrafted cocktail.
Conclusion
Istanbul can be hot and crowded, so this hotel offers the perfect respite from both. History and cosmopolitan style collides, local cuisines meet creative cocktails, and ottoman opulence meets pulsating beats. What a place!
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