The Bank Hotel, Istanbul: An elegant stay steeped in history

The Bank Hotel, located in the Karakoy area of the city is an oasis of elegant calm from the hot and bustling streets of Istanbul.

Where is it?

Following a flight of around four hours from London, The Bank Hotel is situated in Karakoy, a few minutes from the T1 tramway which takes you directly to all the major tourist hotspots.

The hotel is housed in a converted former bank on Bankalar Caddesi, a street that was once the financial focal point of the Ottoman Empire and maintains its status as an area of importance still today. Don’t forget your walking shoes for your visit as the old town is a maze of steeply inclined, beautiful cobbled streets.

The Style

A member of Design Hotels it is unsurprising that the decor is meticulously curated. The lobby screams modern luxury with its sumptuous leather armchairs.

Throughout the hotel, there is a mix of cosy furniture and subtly opulent decor. An original cast iron elevator, through which you can see every floor, makes for a cinematic ascension to your room.

The lighting design is warm and inviting day or night. There are little creative touches throughout the hotel, such as vintage bank teller’s machines that double as sculptural art and stand as a subtle nod to the hotel’s fiscal history.

Which room?

Opt for a Deluxe King Room to lie back on your comfortably firm mattress after a long day of sightseeing and admire the intricately painted crown moulding on the ceiling.

Tip-toe across the parquet floor to the magnificent marble bathroom to slather yourself in the herby and luxurious complimentary L'Occitane toiletries.

Tall windows that bathe the entire room in golden afternoon light sit proudly above the most beautiful detailed cast iron radiators, which are in their original condition. Trust us: you’ll be taking endless pics as inspo for future home renovations, perhaps deluding yourself that you’ll be able to find something similar for your Victorian mezzanine terrace flat.

When you’re ready for bed, simply reach over and close your blackout curtains with the touch of a button by your headboard. Bliss.

Food & Drink

Skip the cities more touristy, laminated-menu eateries and visit the hotel’s rooftop fine-dining restaurant Serica with a panoramic view of old Istanbul. The tasting menu is unparalleled, a perfectly presented celebration of Turkish seasonal cuisine with a twist.

The lamb shoulder tandoori with stuffed onion and apricot puree is succulent and delicious. While the white chocolate mousse with Raki-infused strawberries and frozen yoghurt is arguably the perfect summer dessert.

If you still have room after six courses head to The Bank Roof Bar and sample one of their signature cocktails. We recommend the Hide Away a blend of vodka, peach and violet liqueur and black mulberry.

Breakfast, served in the lobby restaurant, is an elegant affair. Start your day with a sujuk (turkish sausage) omelette and fluffy waffle piled high with syrupy strawberries.

Facilities

No trip to Turkey would be complete without a classic Turkish hammam and this one is a shining example in white marble. But the hotel also boasts a fitness centre, sauna, and steam rooms. The lobby bar and restaurant, fine dining Serica restaurant and The Roof Bar. The hotel is pet friendly — it’s not uncommon to see a puppy bounding towards you down the hallway.

Extracurricular

Missed your chance to see Olafur Eliasson’s Tate Modern show featuring the Instagrammable installation ‘Your Uncertain Shadow’ in 2019? Eliasson is showing Your Unexpected Encounter at Istanbul Modern until February 2025 in the newly reinvented Galataport area, which is touted as Istanbul’s hub of culture, arts and design. It also boasts plenty of waterfront restaurants, which line the port.

If history is more your thing, you must visit the Basilica Cistern, just a stone's throw from Hagia Sophia. It is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. And should you be visiting in summer, it’s also several degrees cooler and a nice respite from the blistering sun beaming down at street level.

Best for

Professionals of all ages who are looking for an elegant city break. Though the hotel is definitely family friendly, too.

Details

Rooms at The Bank Hotel Istanbul start from £190 for a classic king room. thebankhotelistanbul.com