Day 1: Saturday
I played the “tourist” in my own city the other day. Needless to say, Istanbul is a huge city and its various parts are all conceived differently by its inhabitants. Apart from their conception, the lifestyles that various parts have to offer to their inhabitants are also very diverse. For me for instance, living in the European side of the city, I do not cross the bridge as often as someone who lives on this side and works on the other. Similarly, I also do not go to the cosmopolitan and the lively center, called Beyoglu, other than on the weekends for friendly reunions and get-togethers; while its inhabitants live what they call their “neighborhood” every single day from morning till night like one huge and big family.
This past weekend, I have been offered the chance “to live” this neighborhood called Kuledibi (Beyoglu), and its more culturally lively part, the tunnel district. After a busy day within my own sphere (where I live, work and play most of the time), I arrived at the Design Apartment/Hotel “4 Floors Istanbul” (Contact: Murat Topaloglu, +90 532 497 7921) not far from the upcoming bar scene Asmali Street and the more authentic Kumbaraci Street.
Upon the word “hotel” do not expect a grandiose lobby with leather sofas lined up along the pavement and a marble front desk with someone waiting on it 24 hours a day… 4 Floors Istanbul is more like a “home” to its visitors than some regular hotel. The owner of the hotel who works in corroboration with his sister –who at the same time happens to be the internal designer and architect of the building- is an extremely knowledgeable and friendly person who is also at his guests’ services 24/7. A guest’s experience with 4 Floors Istanbul starts from the time of arrival at the airport, train station or the port. The owner helps his guests with transportation from the airport and awaits them at the hotel for prompt delivery of the keys to their new “home” for the length of their duration in the city. The owner who knows the neighborhood by heart is also happy to provide guests with any lifestyle information that they may seek.
Being a design hotel, every little detail has been conceived to make it feel like the place it is supposed to be. You walk in through a classic apartment door and start walking up the stairs to your own floor. Right next to the stairs is a vast area that is now used as the office space of the owner architects. In the near future this area will be redesigned and decorated to accommodate another smaller room and a cozy bar / lounge area.
There are as the name suggests itself 4 floors only. The first 3 floors are smaller apartment flats with bedrooms, bathroom and a small culinary area. The last floor, better to be called the “penthouse” is a two floor space itself with a grand terrace overlooking the city of Istanbul. I was given the opportunity to enjoy this part of the hotel, the penthouse, as my own.
After examining and admiring the little details that have been crafted out by the interior architect on the first floor of the penthouse, I moved up onto the second floor, where there is was a roof deck. This second floor had a stunning exterior design. Two of the walls have been enclosed by window panes only, thus allowing an extensive wide perspective of the wonderful view of the Bosphorus and the city.
Before cracking open a bottle champagne and immersing myself into the view; I decided to take a look around the neighborhood. I started with the Serdar-ı Ekrem Street of the hip and cool neighborhood of Kuledibi. Mavra, which is one of the cozy cafes of the neighborhood, was open and was slowly filling up with its regular clientele.
I walked a little further to have a peek into the recently opened charcuterie Galata. It was not totally what I had been expecting from what I had heard and read, but the charcuterie did definitely provide enough products like risotto, cheese, wine and pastry of foreign origin at convenient prices.
Back at the hotel, I pampered myself with the view and the atmosphere of my apartment for as long as two hours and maybe a half. I wished also that I had my i-pod with me and that I could listen to some Sinatra or Safina using the i-pod deck that was available in the apartment. For dinner, I went out to the famous Asmali Street, to the French Bistro La Brise. La Brise has been opened last year, but already it is enjoying a cheerful crowd of regular clientele, thanks to its niche and quality offer in Istanbul. I had one of my favorite dishes
–which had recently been removed from their menu to allow for new summer dishes- the tartine with goat cheese and vegetables along with a bottle of Buyulubag wine –one I had never tasted before, but it turned out to be a very good local wine. My friend had one of the traditional onion soup followed by steak. The meat dishes, whether chicken or beef, are also very good at La Brise. Their fine print is for me the chateubriand served with seasoned potatoes. I also love the napoleon (mille-feuille) desert with which I have closed this night as well.
After dinner, we moved onto the bar streets to meet a few friends. Moving into these streets, it may look to a foreign eye, as if every single place is the same since they will all look very crowded. Nevertheless, I should enumerate my favorites: the new and the old Otto and the House Café. Both drinks, music and people are usually of high quality in both places.
Contact: 4 floors Istanbul
Address: Tercuman cikmazi, 20 34433 Beyoglu Istanbul
Murat Topaloglu
Tel. +90 532 497 7921
Fax.+90 212 243 8866
Email. topaloglumurat@me.com
Interior Design: www.sematopaloglu.com
You will find on Donuz, everything that is unique to where we have been and where you would want to be. Be it food, be it lodging, be it a special feet massage, a bottle of wine, a person… Be it for 7 days, a day, a week, 36 hours or a single moment. On Donuz, is everything, you will need to make your holidays special. We hope you share with us your experiences.
Thu, Oct 1, 2009
Beyoglu, Istanbul