Istanbul Hotels from NY Times

At New Istanbul Hotel, Luxury at Lower Prices

     Hotels in Istanbul tend to be either touristy affairs in the Old City or splashy (and pricey) luxury digs that hug the shores of the Bosporus. The House Hotel Galatasaray, which opened last month in Beyoglu, is aiming for the space in between: it’s a short stroll from the popular and central Taksim Square, but with rates starting at a fairly reasonable 120 euros (about $150).

The 20-suite hotel (19 Bostanbasi Caddesi, Galatasaray, 90-212-244-3400; thehouse-hotels.com), in a handsome structure built in the 1890s, is the result of a two-year renovation by the folks who created the city’s House Cafe chain. Polished wood floors and fine linens raise the comfort factor, and original touches, like the central marble staircase and original floor tiling in common areas like the rooftop lounge, add character. Each room includes a stand-alone shower and a separate toilet and sink area.

“Our goal is to be trendy and classy but not with crazy prices,’’ Helene Pruvot, the hotel’s French-born manager, explained. “We are not a palace, so we don’t want to charge palace prices.”

While possible downsides include the lack of an elevator and potential exposure to noise from the gentrifying neighborhood, the hotel’s location means it’s a quick stroll to bars and restaurants, museums like the Istanbul Modern, and the antique shops and design boutiques of Cukurcuma.

Source:http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com

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