T
hink Istanbul and the Bosphorus immediately comes to mind. A 19th century Istanbul mayor chose this perfect spot on the Asian shore to build his waterside mansion but, caught up in a plot against the sultan, he may not have enjoyed it for long. Used as a school until the 1970s, this handsome building was reborn in 2004 as a 16-room boutique hotel. If the outside is resolutely Ottoman, the interior is 21st-century minimalist. The lobby is vast and empty, save for a chair or two. Each room boasts a different decor and, with one exception, they all overlook the Bosphorus. Room 10 is a duplex: the top level only contains a bed and a large inviting bathtub. The hotel launch is moored in front, ready to whisk guests across the water. In 2009, A’jia was named Most Excellent Charming Hotel by Condé Nast Johansens.
Facilities:phone in room • tv in room • AC in room • open off season • credit cards accepted • right by the sea
Location:just by the sea • in a historical setting
Restaurant:Mediterranean cuisine • Italian cuisine
Child policy:children welcome
Net connection:available everywhere • free of charge
Activities:wellness pack • boat, kayak