Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel
The five-star resort, located on a prime stretch of Istanbul’s famed Bosphorus strait, is palatial—literally. The service-oriented property is the site of a former Ottoman palace and was reopened as luxury hotel in 1991. The vast pools overlooking the water are a must on any hot day.
kempinski.com
Manu Atelier
I paid a visit to sisters Beste and Merve Manastir, the co-founders of the new Isantbul-based leather goods brand Manu Atelier in Nisantasi. Their chic handbag line, produced at their craftsman father’s iconic leather goods factory, has caught the attention of worldy fashionistas. For fall, the duo is exploring other textures, like pony hair.
From left to right: the Mini shoulder bag in leather and pony skin, $410; the Mini tote in leather, $470; the Mini Pristine bucket bag in pony skin, $480.
manuatelier.com
Karakoy Lokantasi
A perfect spot for lunch near the Istanbul Modern is the airy, turquoise-tiled boite Karakoy Lokantasi. Its delicious, ever-changing menu included on my visit fresh calamari, char-grilled eggplant, purslane salad and homey fare like meatballs. I could have eaten here every day—a great spot after a long morning of museum hopping.
karakoylokantasi.com
Hotel Macakizi Bodrum
Bodrum’s original luxury boutique hotel, Macakizi, does not disappoint. Run by charming man-about-town Sahir Erozan, the stylish beach club resort in Turkbuku is a must for all-day sundeck lounging, people watching (models Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss are frequent visitors) and dining (the Sunday buffet lunch features addictive traditional meat-filled Turkish manti or dumplings). The hotel’s 74 rooms, surrounded by lush bougainvillea, are stylish yet refreshingly comfortable—and the Nuxe spa and hammam are not to be missed.
macakizi.com/
Soho House Istanbul
Istanbul’s hottest hotel newcomer is the Soho House in Beyoglu. For its 13th location, the private club has taken over a grand 1830 palazzo, the former U.S. Consulate building, which features an outpost of Miami Mediterranean restaurant Mandolin on the roof (one of four restaurants on the property). The adjacent annex and newly constructed glass building house 87 hotel rooms (think herringbone wood floors, patterned headboards and rugs, colorful tile and rain showers) and public facilities like the Cowshed spa and hammam, gym and pool.
sohohouseistanbul.com
Anna Boghiguian’s “The Salt Traders (2025)” at the Istanbul Biennial
Egyptian artist Anna Boghiguian exhibited her painted Egyptian sails “The Salt Traders (2025)” at the Galata Greek Primary School during the Biennial. In this installation, the often-political nomadic artist explores themes of history, nature and salt (Salt Water was is the theme of this year’s Biennial) from Ethiopia, Pakistan and Turkey, which was piled up throughout the space.
14b.iksv.org
The Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge at IST Airport
Turkish Airlines has recently renovated its Istanbul airport flagship lounge for business class passengers, Miles & Smiles Elite, Elite Plus cardholders and Star Alliance Gold membership cardholders. The vast 3,000-square-meter lounge features a children’s play room, extensive food (maybe the best lahmacun, Turkish flatbread pizza, I had the whole trip) and beverage offerings (from fresh teas and lemonades to wines from every region) and cakes and pastries from the famed Vienna bakery Demel. The state-of-the-art lounge features televisions, a business center and a gorgeous billiard hall that wouldn’t be out of place at an Ian Schrager hotel. The only disappointment was that my flight was on time.
turkishairlines.com
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