Bebek Hotel By The Stay review, Istanbul, Turkey: Another side of the city

No wonder this is a popular brunch spot with locals; if you want a table by the water, get in early.Credit: KEREM SANLIMAN

CHECK-IN

In just five years, Turkey's boutique hotel group The Stay has built an impressive portfolio of hotels, including a coastal retreat in Izmir and four hotels in Istanbul. Even the pandemic didn't halt this group's momentum: in addition to recently becoming the first hotel group in the country to achieve carbon-neutral status, it will shortly announce a line-up of new hotels.

Just as Sydney is built around its harbour, Istanbul stretches out along the Bosphorus Strait, one shore in Europe, the other in Asia. The waterside "villages" include some of the loveliest parts of the city, and Bebek on the European side is the hippest 'hood. There are plenty of cafes, bars and boutiques to explore, as well as the medieval Rumeli Fortress, built by the Ottomans as part of their conquest of the city then known as Constantinople.

Every room in this adults-only hotel is a suite, but it is not surprising that the riverfront Bosphorus Suites are the ones that are most in demand.

THE LOOK

The arrival experience is low-key: through a small doorway to the tiny reception desk, then into the dimly-lit elevator to go up to your room. The Bebek Hotel has been a local landmark since the 1950s; when The Stay took over, they commissioned architect Mehmut Anlar to do a refresh of the interiors. His rich yet restrained palette of greens and browns is warmed with pretty pastel touches.

THE ROOM

Every room in this adults-only hotel is a suite, but it is not surprising that the waterfront Bosphorus Suites are the ones that are most in demand. My third-floor suite comes not just with dazzling views across the strait to Asia, but also with its own balcony. Every detail in the room reinforces the sense of luxury, from the wonderfully-soft carpet underfoot to the glossy wood panelling and textured wallpaper. The marble bathroom is equipped with Acqua di Parma toiletries.

FOOD + DRINK

The Bebek Hotel is as much about eating as sleeping, with venues including a popular Chinese restaurant downstairs and a rooftop bar open between May and September. My favourite spot is the Terrace Restaurant, open from breakfast through to dinner and beyond – which means in-house guests have to be prepared for background noise. We enjoy a delicious dinner but for me, the most glamorous culinary experience is breakfast by the Bosphorus. The extensive menu ranges from traditional Turkish options to bacon and egg waffles. I opt for the Croissant Bomb, which turns out to be a massive pastry served with clotted cream, dripping with honey and crusted with ground pistachio. No wonder this is a popular brunch spot with locals; if you want a table by the water, get in early.

OUT + ABOUT

Bebek is an easy half-hour walk from Dolmabahce Palace. The historic peninsula, where you will find Topkapi Palace and the Aya Sofya, is around 15 kilometres away and best accessed by the affordable water taxis which let you avoid Istanbul's frequent traffic jams and drink in gorgeous water views to boot. Alternatively, splitting your stay between a more central hotel and Bebek gives you two very difference Istanbul experiences.

THE VERDICT

This chic bolthole lets you experience a different side to Istanbul.

THE ESSENTIALS

From £430 ($760) a night including breakfast. Bebek, Cevdet Paşa Cd. No:34, Beşiktaş, [phone], see thestay.com.tr

HIGHLIGHT: Sitting on your balcony watching the flow of life along the Bosphorus.

LOWLIGHT: With the bar buzzing until late, this hotel is not one for light sleepers.

OUR RATING (Out of five)

★★★★

The writer was a guest of The Stay Hotels.