Local before arrival
In the wealthy district of Çengelköy, life is quieter and a bit more authentic than in other districts. Guests can take a private water taxi to Europe from a landing that once welcomed barges loaded with figs. The building was once a distillery that produced suma, the precursor to raki. The 21 generously-sized rooms have retained a bit of a factory feel thanks to their austere design and floor-to-ceiling windows that open directly to the Bosphorus.
