Ask any Soho House member, and chances are they will tell you that this is among the best hotels in Nick Jones’ hospitality portfolio. Why? It’s cool, contemporary, and when you tag on the member’s club house, it’s all very storied and spectacular. The only Soho House this side of Europe, and in Turkey, there’s an air of exclusivity, but not the stuffy kind either. Hidden away by a leafy garden, the buzzy Beyoğlu district of Istanbul is home. Loud, noisy, and blissfully happening, everything from Istiklal Street to Galata is a mere 10-minute walk away from the house. Wedge that in between a string of sexy indie art galleries, great eats (Aheste, ÇokÇok Pera, and İnci Pastanesi for the profiteroles), and tourist traps, and you can blissfully say you are in the best spot in town.
Inside, it’s well-heeled and dizzyingly dandy. The club rooms are in one of the district’s most handsome Italianate buildings, Palazzo Corpi, built in 1830 as the home of a wealthy Genoese merchant. It then fell into the hands of the Americans and, from 1906 until 2003, served as the former embassy to the United States. The palazzo, like anything Italian, is very grand, with soaring ceilings, frescos, and ornate fireplaces, and a grand staircase that has been expertly restored. It’s all very mid-century modern with splashings of intimate spaces decorated in warm shades of blue, green, and red; plus cold patterned marble to give it all the extra wow factor.
Like any of the brand’s other hotel outposts, the aesthetic beyond the main club is chic and designer to a tee. Hints to Turkish culture are throughout: green statement walls, patterned rugs and throws, and modern Iznik-style art pieces. From reception to the breakfast room, chair galore reigns supreme in the form of comfy sofas and a medley of slick wooden loungers set in between the coffee bar and the garden. To give it that extra oomph of ambience, vintage records play on loop, day in and day out.
The rooms are just as sleek. There are four room types to choose from: Tiny, Small, Medium, and The Apartment. I have stayed twice in both the Medium and the Apartment categories, and the major difference is space. The latter is larger and comes with floor-to-ceiling windows and a roomy bathtub, with views of the city. The medium is slightly smaller, but the style remains the same. Elegant retro details are everywhere, from worn couches to Marshall radios and rich, in-your-face tapestries, heavy taupe curtains, and elaborate and colourful headboards. As for the bathrooms, functional and spacious, with showers stocked with the usual Cowshed products. The only downside is the lighting. At times, it is so dark you can’t see yourself getting ready, which, if you are an early checkout, can pose a problem come face and hair pamper time.
As for the grub, dinner at Ceconnis is always a good shout for pizzas and Italian classics. The new Greek, Med-inspired restaurant Apheleia serves up all sorts of salad and grill numbers. It was closed during my visit due to bad weather, so book on the day and play it by ear if you fancy trying this spot out. Breakfast at The Allis is a casual affair. Turkish options to the usual metropolitan suspects, from avocado toast to Bircher muesli numbers. Service can be on the slow and sketchy side, so if you are a member, the House menu is a good option for a speedy petit-déjeuner. R&R comes in the form of a Cowshed spa. Think massages, hammam, and steam room. Plus, if your locks are long, a hairdresser is handy at your beck and call.
Fast Facts
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
The vibe: Slick and chic, with all the usual Soho House trimmings. It’s a design-forward space that showcases creativity from all walks of international and Turkish life.
Room Count: 87
Starting Rate: From about 400 USD per night.
Dining: Modern and casual with an emphasis on Mediterranean and Italian classics.
Amenities: Bar, restaurant, spa, pool, gym.
Closest Airport: Istanbul Airport
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