When it comes to pedigree and location, it’s difficult to trump the new Hagia Sophia Mansions in Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet quarter.
The British interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard has parlayed his penchant for Middle-Eastern exoticism, geometric patterns and lush fabrics into a 21st-century pasha’s pleasure dome.
Located on the edge of the Topkapi palace, the hotel comprises a sweep of richly textured 75 rooms and a private villa that were carved out of a cluster of Ottoman ambassadors’ homes. The illusion of Arabian Nights romanticism is reinforced by a number of conceits, not least reflecting water pools, chandeliers, brass lanterns and Ottoman-inspired wallpaper to go with the hand-carved beds and mini-hammam in each bathroom.
And if the views of the Topkapi or the Blue Mosque aren’t sufficiently thrilling, the subterranean spa earns extra points for its atmospheric setting in an original Roman aqueduct, as does the house restaurant Sarnic, which is inserted into a cavernous 1,500-year-old water cistern.
ADDRESS
Cankurtaran Mh., Kabasakal Cd. No. 5
-
Biagetti's Wearable Casa collection is a beautiful Frankenstein of design inspirationBiagetti's wearable Casa Collection in collaboration with MCM is inspired by an array of urban culture, artificial intelligence and uncommon objects, showcased at Milan Design Week 2024
-
The story behind Chanel’s iconic handbags, the 2.55 and the 11.12The liberated spirit of Coco Chanel runs through the house’s most memorable handbags, which are being put back centre stage by current creative director Virginie Viard. Here, Wallpaper* takes a closer look
-
Naran hyper coupé signals new car brand Naran Automotive’s fresh approachAmeerh Naran, CEO of Naran Automotive, believes his forthcoming high-performance four-seater Naran hyper coupé will shake up the world of collectable hypercars
-
Istanbul’s Arkestra serves Michelin-starred dishes and three kinds of funArkestra is a one-of-a-kind and three-in-one Istanbul restaurant by chef Cenk Debensason and entrepreneur Debora Ipekel
-
Birdcage 33 opens with simplicity and elegance, perched on the Turkish RivieraBodrum welcomes Birdcage 33, a cool boutique hotel, to its Aegean coastline
-
Turkey’s Bodrum Loft hotel turns sculpture park this summerBodrum Loft hotel hosts artworks by Takashi Murakami, Daniel Arsham, Jean-Michel Othoniel and more in collaboration with Perrotin and consultancy Artsa
-
Visit Istanbul’s architectural gems, best restaurants and a historic bathhouseWhat to see and do in Istanbul – from restored architectural treasures to an experimental cocktail bar, a luxurious Turkish bath, and the city’s best kebabs
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico -
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland -
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia -
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
