Sumahan on the Water

And not just any water either; Sumahan on the Water sits on the Asian bank of the Bosphorus, in an upscale residential neighborhood full of vacation homes, looking across the strait at the city skyline over on the European side of Istanbul. The unobstructed view is what it’s all about — the hotel sits right up against the water’s edge, with terraces peering over, and the upper-level guest rooms look out through tall picture windows at the strait and the long span of the Bosphorus Bridge.

Sumahan on the Water’s 13 rooms and suites, all lining the Bosphorus side of the house, are airy, wide-open, exposed to the light, and decked out in crisp minimalist lines and neutral colors. Many come with fireplaces, useful for those cozy winter nights, and all come with luxurious marble bathrooms. They’re the sort of rooms you could imagine holing up in quite comfortably, and have proven popular with honeymooners and anyone in search of a romantic escape.

Waterfront Café plays to Sumahan’s greatest strength, dishing up light Turkish and international fare — and an enviable breakfast spread — on a terrace by the water, backed by that astonishing view. And when you need to get out, you’ll find the Bosphorus Bridge easily accessible by car — or travel the old-fashioned way, on a launch across the water.