Positioned actually inside touching distance of Istanbul’s UNESCO architectural and cultural wonders, the Hagia Sofia Mansions, Curio Assortment by Hilton, presents a quintessentially luxurious visitor expertise. A set of restored, historic mansion homes have been reimagined as lovely, Ottoman model palatial suites, with entry to fantastic eating, relaxed sun-kissed courtyard cafés, bars and eating places, and a singular spa housed in one in all Istanbul’s historical present process former cisterns.
Experiencing luxurious resorts as usually as we do right here at The Luxurious Editor, it’s typically 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 a terrific group, 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 particularly vital for brief stays, that are typical for metropolis breaks. Hagia Sofia Mansions is a heat, homey place to take pleasure in a luxurious metropolis break in Istanbul
UNESCO Location, Sultanahmet
Istanbul is a outstanding metropolis, bridging two continents and reflecting a wealthy and various cultural historical past.
The UNESCO previous metropolis, the Sultanahmet Archaeological Park, on the European facet might be essentially 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 common space, this Curio Assortment by Hilton property has splendidly genuine and tranquil areas together with a ravishing 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 area with excessive vaulted ceilings.
Staying in a Mansion
The exquisitely designed and ready rooms and suites are inside the restored ottoman mansions, initially constructed as company 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 area. Every mansion has a welcome foyer salon on the bottom flooring for the company, after which stairs as much as the non-public suites.
This makes the lodging significantly ultimate for personal use, excellent for households travelling collectively because the smaller properties are excellent for unique use.
Our suite was stuffed with particulars. The spacious dwelling space featured artwork, recent flowers, and a welcome amenity. I’m usually spoilt with treats upon arrival, however this was one other degree! Turkish hospitality is all concerning the notion of abundance and sharing.
The lavatory is spacious too, but cosy with underfloor heating and the bathe is designed as a non-public hammam with heated marble flooring, 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 basically join you to this historic vacation spot.
Eating In The Coronary heart of the Outdated Metropolis
Visitors and guests alike can benefit from the eating choices of Hagia Sofia Mansions.
For a memorable eating expertise, accompanied by reside music, The Sarnic is the selection. The menu contains Turkish mezze in addition to worldwide favourites.
There may be additionally the Sofia Terrace Restaurant, for lunch and dinner. There’s a pretty terrace for outdoor eating and an Ottoman model eating room with up to date touches.
The Greenhouse Backyard Restaurant has seating contained in the conservatory model constructing, in addition to exterior across the fountain.
That is the place we loved the spectacular Hagia Sofia breakfast. Turks take breakfast significantly; it’s a meal to not be rushed. While you order this gourmand breakfast you possibly can count on an incredible selection of recent fruit, greens, cheeses, meats, olives, nuts…plus jams, honey, grape jelly, tahini paste, and naturally sesame ‘Simit’ bread rings which might be additionally bought as road meals.
I additionally ordered the traditional ‘Menemen’, a Turkish favorite of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, onions, peppers and seasoned with paprika.
Pre and put up dinner drinks may 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 contains capturing meals and beverage preferences, so count on to have your favorite cocktail completely combined and ready for you whenever you arrive.
Getting Round
The mansions are inside a protected historic space so whenever you arrive, count on to be met by a bell individual in an electrical buggy which is able to take you to the principle 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 price 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 will help plan excursions and organise boat journey experiences on the Bosphorus and provides sightseeing itineraries for the numerous alluring neighbours on each the European and Asian facet.
I significantly loved visiting the neighbouring Topkapı Palace Museum, as soon as dwelling to the Ottoman Sultans from across the Fifteenth-Seventeenth centuries.
Basilica Cisterna, the most important of the traditional water deposits or cisterns that lie underneath Istanbul, is one other sight to expertise, and going with a information means you possibly can skip the queues. The place was constructed utilizing columns and stones that have been taken from historical 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 staff put them the wrong 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 coated markets on this planet. is in fact very tempting, however even proper subsequent to Hagia Sofia Mansions is a ravishing handicrafts centre promoting excessive finish artisan merchandise you received’t discover within the markets.
Turkish Hammam
After a day’s sightseeing, I can inform you that you just’ll wish to loosen up with. Turkish Hammam
The spa right here is positioned in an historical subterranean cistern so that basically provides to the ambiance.
I began the spa therapy 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 comfortable 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 typically ‘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 via 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. Basic Supervisor Yulia Kardesoglu and Nevra Ozdelice Erberksoy, Gross sales & Advertising Director, lead a beautiful group.
As I set off on my journey dwelling concierge generously prolonged the Turkish custom of pouring water behind me, a valuable reward that needs me a secure journey dwelling. Thanks.
This resort is included in our information to the very best luxurious resorts in Istanbul
