Situated actually inside touching distance of Istanbul’s UNESCO architectural and cultural wonders, the Hagia Sophia Mansions, Curio Assortment by Hilton, gives a quintessentially luxurious visitor expertise. A group of restored, historic mansion homes have been reimagined as lovely, Ottoman type palatial suites, with entry to superb eating, relaxed sun-kissed courtyard cafés, bars and eating places, and a novel spa housed in one in all Istanbul’s historic present process former cisterns.
Experiencing luxurious resorts as usually as we do right here at The Luxurious Editor, it’s generally onerous to impress us, writes Andrew Forbes.
But my keep at Hagia Sofia Mansions exceeded all expectations. The enjoyment of such a keep usually comes from an ideal staff, and right here the custom of Turkish hospitality has been remodeled into an artwork kind. Every member of the workers was a pleasure to satisfy.
On few events have I felt so welcome and so at dwelling. This in fact is very necessary for brief stays, that are typical for metropolis breaks. Hagia Sofia Mansions is a heat, homey place to get pleasure from a luxurious metropolis break in Istanbul
UNESCO Location, Sultanahmet
Istanbul is a exceptional metropolis, bridging two continents and reflecting a wealthy and numerous cultural historical past.
The UNESCO previous metropolis, the Sultanahmet Archaeological Park, on the European facet might be probably the most visited, and right here one finds the Hagia Sofia Mansions, near Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, steps to the Hagia Sofia Grand Mosque and beside the Hürrem Sultan Hamam, and the previous sultan’s Topkapı Palace.
But regardless of being on the coronary heart of this widespread space, this Curio Assortment by Hilton property has splendidly genuine and tranquil areas together with a stupendous eating courtyard with views to the Hagia Sofia museum and mosque and one other charming restaurant with views to the historic websites.
The signature restaurant, ‘The Sarnic’ is exclusive within the metropolis as it’s housed in one of many metropolis’s subterranean cisterns. Right here the cocktail bar and eating tables are set inside a theatrical and evocative house with excessive vaulted ceilings.
Staying in a Mansion
The exquisitely designed and ready rooms and suites are throughout the restored ottoman mansions, initially constructed as visitors home for the Sultan’s palace.
The restored homes are dwelling to Ottoman-style suites over two or three flooring.
There’s a actual sense of privateness and house. Every mansion has a welcome foyer salon on the bottom ground for the visitors, after which stairs as much as the non-public suites.
This makes the lodging notably best for personal use, good for households travelling collectively because the smaller properties are good for unique use.
Our suite was filled with particulars. The spacious residing space featured artwork, contemporary flowers, and a welcome amenity. I’m usually spoilt with treats upon arrival, however this was one other degree! Turkish hospitality is all in regards to the notion of abundance and sharing.
The lavatory is spacious too, but cosy with underfloor heating and the bathe is designed as a personal hammam with heated marble ground, fountain and hammam dish, glove, and towel.
The expertise far exceeded my expectations. The homes are full of sunshine and many architectural and design particulars that actually join you to this historic vacation spot.
Eating In The Coronary heart of the Previous Metropolis
Company and guests alike can benefit from the eating choices of Hagia Sofia Mansions.
For a memorable eating expertise, accompanied by dwell music, The Sarnic is the selection. The menu consists of Turkish mezze in addition to worldwide favourites.
There may be additionally the Sofia Terrace Restaurant, for lunch and dinner. There’s a beautiful terrace for out of doors eating and an Ottoman type eating room with up to date touches.
The Greenhouse Backyard Restaurant has seating contained in the conservatory type constructing, in addition to exterior across the fountain.
That is the place we loved the spectacular Hagia Sofia breakfast. Turks take breakfast severely; it’s a meal to not be rushed. Once you order this connoisseur breakfast you’ll be able to anticipate an incredible alternative of contemporary fruit, greens, cheeses, meats, olives, nuts…plus jams, honey, grape jelly, tahini paste, and naturally sesame ‘Simit’ bread rings which can be additionally bought as avenue meals.
I additionally ordered the basic ‘Menemen’, a Turkish favorite of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, onions, peppers and seasoned with paprika.
Pre and put up dinner drinks could be loved within the bar Sofia Backyard Bar, one other charming place, tucked away on this extraordinary resort, set amongst the historic buildings of Sultanahmet .
A part of the resort’s considerate pre-check in communication consists of capturing meals and beverage preferences, so anticipate to have your favorite cocktail completely blended and ready for you whenever you arrive.
Getting Round
The mansions are inside a protected historic space so whenever you arrive, anticipate to be met by a bell individual in an electrical buggy which is able to take you to the primary mansion for check-in after which onto your first mansion.
Vacation spot Istanbul
This Turkish metropolis is among the most fascinating city locations on this planet. As a worldwide journey hub, and versatile stop-over choices with Turkish Airways, sooner or later the possibilities are your travels will take you to Istanbul.
It’s so value taking a day or two for having fun with a flavour of town.
The UNESCO historic centre of Sultanahmet is an efficient place to start out, with its well-known palaces, mosques and souks.
Hagia Sofia Mansions can assist plan excursions and organise boat journey experiences on the Bosphorus and provides sightseeing itineraries for the various alluring neighbours on each the European and Asian facet.
I notably loved visiting the neighbouring Topkapı Palace Museum, as soon as dwelling to the Ottoman Sultans from across the Fifteenth-Seventeenth centuries.
Basilica Cisterna, the biggest of the traditional water deposits or cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul, is one other sight to expertise, and going with a information means you’ll be able to skip the queues. The place was constructed utilizing columns and stones that have been taken from historic temples and different architectural websites throughout Anatolia.
So now the cistern is drained you see these wonderful columns and carved stones. Essentially the most well-known are the Greek Medusa heads which the development employees put them the other way up and on their facet, in order to allegedly keep away from their face which would flip then to stone. The Grand Bazaar, one of many oldest and largest lined markets on this planet. is in fact very tempting, however even proper subsequent to Hagia Sofia Mansions is a stupendous handicrafts centre promoting excessive finish artisan merchandise you gained’t discover within the markets.
Turkish Hammam
After a day’s sightseeing, I can inform you that you just’ll need to calm down with. Turkish Hammam
The spa right here is positioned in an historic subterranean cistern so that actually provides to the environment.
I began the spa remedy with a soothing soak and splash within the hydrotherapy pool.
Then it was time to expertise the resort’s non-public hammam. Mendacity on a smooth towel on a heated marble desk I used to be gently washed with heat water and my pores and skin was exfoliated with a cotton glove.
The Turkish hammam is a way more luxurious and pampering expertise to the generally ‘rougher’ expertise in Morocco.
Right here in Istanbul, it feels nurturing.
The Turkish hammam additionally features a bubble therapeutic massage the place heat soapy water is drawn by means of a cotton sheet by the therapist making a blanket of comforting bubbles throughout your physique earlier than a therapeutic massage and rinsing with extra water. Bliss.
Fond Farewell
But my lasting reminiscence of visiting Hagia Sofia Mansions would be the genuine, welcoming workers. Normal Supervisor Yulia Kardesoglu and Nevra Ozdelice Erberksoy, Gross sales & Advertising and marketing Director, lead a beautiful staff.
As I set off on my journey dwelling concierge generously prolonged the Turkish custom of pouring water behind me, a valuable present that needs me a secure journey dwelling. Thanks.
This resort is included in our information to the very best luxurious resorts in Istanbul
