Key Hotel

Modern-design luxury boutiques are nothing new in Istanbul, but with the advent of the Key Hotel, the western Anatolian coastal city of Izmir is getting in on the act as well. The Key’s cubic structure dominates its slice of the waterfront, and the wraparound terrace on the top floor is visible from a distance; but it’s not until you’re inside that the Key really begins to take off.

And if the building itself didn’t convince you, a look at the interior finishes ought to be proof that the Key’s proprietors weren’t interested in cutting any corners. This place is as appealing to the touch as it is to the eyes, possessed of a stately modernist luxury of the sort that’s familiar from Italy’s best urban boutiques, all crisp edges, neutral tones and luxe materials.

The rooms are elegant and comfortable, with rain showers, soft cotton-satin linens, and the full complement of modern electronics. But it’s the three suites that really shine, all of them on the top level surrounded by that wraparound terrace. The lobby bar does double duty as a quiet little library, and the flagship restaurant serves upscale Aegean fare with views over the Gulf of Izmir. All in all the Key is a gem, hidden in plain sight — if you’ve got business in Izmir, lucky you, and if not, a hotel like this one just might make it worth a trip.