The city of Istanbul is unique, spanning two continents either side of the Bosphorous, and its waterside offers some of the most vibrant urban scenery in Europe and Asia alike.
Where better to stay, therefore, than by the waterside in the city?
This is exactly what can be done at the Sumahan on the Water Hotel.
Located in the Cengelkoy area of the city, the hotel sits on the Asian side of the Bosphorous. It faces the Galatasaray area of the city on the European side, while just to the left is the famous Bosphorus Bridge, a towering suspension bridge that provides one of two crossings between the continents. By day and night ferries and other boats will sail up and down this channel and sometimes stop at the nearby Cengelkoy pier, providing a great sense of being close to it all, without actually being caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Other nearby attractions include the Kaymak Mustafa Padsa mosque, which dates from the 18th century, as well as the Cinralti Tea Garden and the impressive Kuleli Military High School.The hotel itself bears a notable architectural resemblance to the Military High School. Both are white-fronted, two-storey buildings of elongated shape, although the hotel does not have the pointed turrets.
What it does have, however, is a superbly neat, stylish and modern interior with all the best facilities. The furnishings are minimalist but very comfortable, the beds even more so, and each room has a row of tall windows facing the famous waterway.The facilities are also excellent. The hotel has its own library stocked with mostly English books all about the city and country to help visitors learn more about Turkey, its history and culture.Also included in the services at the hotel is a complimentary boat transfer across the Bosphorus. Having seen so many other vessels on the waterway, what could be better than crossing it yourself?So for a truly memorable trip to Istanbul that captures its heritage yet can be enjoyed in luxury, the Sumahan is a hotel worth crossing continents for.
