This was once an alcohol factory which, from the 1870s, had produced suma, the fig-syrup spirit used to make raki. When it was bequeathed, derelict, to Turkish-American architects Nedret and Mark Butler, they must have been tempted to pull the place down: waterfront plots are like hen’s teeth in Istanbul. Instead, they decided to restore their unusual legacy - and this faded relic of industrial heritage found a new lease of life as a sassy waterfront hotel. Part sympathetic modern extension, part salvaged original, its opening in 2005 pioneered new interest in the city’s then undiscovered Asian shore.
Exposed stonework, bare brick, steel joists and mezzanine floors celebrate the building’s past. The 24 rooms have warm wood / carpet floors and cool contemporary furniture; some have cosy fireplaces, all have views of the water. And what a view! Day and night, on the glittering Bosphorus, an endless procession of fishing boats, gin palaces, container ships and ferries drifts past. Watch from the terrace garden, from the cafe, even from your bed.
Highs
- The funky Duplex Loft Suites - right on the waterfront with French windows opening onto lawned gardens
- The bustle of Cengelkoy: an authentic Bosphorus village, a short stroll away
- A perfect view of the nightly rainbow illuminations on the Bosphorus Bridge
- Snuggling up to a real fire on a chilly night in winter
Lows
- Some might consider the location a little off track; night-lifers, in particular, may find this just too far from the city’s club-land
- The terrace and cafe can be busy and boisterous in the evening (though only a problem if you want an open window or an early night)
Best time to go
Sizzling hot summers (June - September) and cold, often wet, winters, make spring and autumn the best times to visit Istanbul, though the hotel’s waterside location (and efficient air-con) make it a good high-season choice; and the rooms are warm and cozy in the winter (you can snuggle up by open fire in most of the rooms).
Our top tips
Sumahan prides itself on being able to organise pretty much anything you like, from personalised tours with specialist guides to car hire, massage and beauty treatments. Have a chat with them to craft your ideal itinerary.
- Boutique Hotel
- 24 rooms
- Restaurant + bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
Designed by the owners’ daughter, Yasha, the style is Manhattan loft meets Ottoman Modern: functional, no-frills spaces which manage to mix business with pleasure. Furnished with polished wood or warm carpet floors, upholstered sofas, kilims, high ceilings and tall windows, expect lots of natural light and mesmerising views across the Bosphorus.
All of the hotel’s rooms overlook the water, but our favourites are the split-level Loft Suites - the only ones with direct access to the waterfront. In each, a staircase leads up to a bed-and-bathroom on an upper mezzanine level, with a studio-style living space below. The beds are angled to face the water, and you can enjoy the view from glazed showers in the bathrooms, some of which are furnished with a mini marble hammam.
The remaining rooms include Deluxe Rooms, Executive Suites and Family Loft Suites. All rooms have air-conditioning, fireplaces, queen size or twin beds dressed with white linen, mini bar (with complimentary mineral water), satellite TV and CD player.
Bathrooms are luxurious, with roomy walk-in showers (some have baths too), thick Turkish towels and natural soaps. All but the Deluxe Rooms have twin basins.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
Eating
Sumahan has a Waterfront Restaurant which offers informal Turkish and international cuisine - the menu includes salads, soups, pastas and grills as well as sandwiches and snacks.
Breakfast is served on the Waterfront Terrace, expect a traditional Turkish spread of bread, white cheese, olives, honey and eggs on request.
In nearby Cengelkoy (a 5-minute stroll towards the Bosphorus Bridge) there is a row of waterside fish restaurants and a fish market; on the high street, alongside bog-standard Turkish diners, there is also a wonderful bakery where you can watch hot breads emerge from a big wood-fired oven more or less all day. Ask for a pide ('Turkish pizza'): meat or white cheese and tomato paste smeared onto a thin bread base, served with salad and a wedge of lemon.
Features include:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Explore the neighbourhood: Cengelkoy (5 minutes walk away) is a charming Bosphorus village with a high-street of local shops, a fish market, terraces of wooden Ottoman houses alongside waterside restaurants and a ferry terminal
- From Cengelkoy, you can take a regular ferry to Eminonu for Sultanahmet and the treasures of Old Istanbul: The Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Topkapi Palace, the Cistern Basilica etc
- There are things to see on the Asian side too: the Beylerbeyi Palace, the magnificent 19th century imperial residence of Sultan Abdulaziz, is close by (open every day except Monday); further northeast lies Yoros castle - climb it for views over the mouth of the Black Sea
- Get steamed up in Sumahan’s own hammam: a marble lined Turkish bath, it’s available for 45-minute sessions with a private masseuse (extra cost)
- Burn off some calories in the gym - equipped with cross-trainer, recumbent bike, treadmill and weights
- Go for a swim (but, please, not in the Bosphorus): the hotel has an arrangement with a nearby club with a pool
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Shopping / markets
Kids
The waterside location is not ideal for kids so children under 12 are not permitted to stay, but the roomy family loft suites are perfect for parents sharing with older children.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Sumahan on the Water is on the Bosphorus waterfront in Cengelkoy, north-east of the Bosphorus Bridge on the Asian side of the Strait.
By Air
Istanbul has 2 airports - Instanbul Airport (50km away), which is served by many international flights, and Sabiha Gökçen (40km away), which is mainly used by budget carriers. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving them.
From the Airport
From the airport you can prebook a taxi through the hotel, or take a cab on arrival, see Rates. Istanbul Airport is a 45-50 minute taxi ride (though allow longer during Istanbul’s manic morning and evening rush-hours), and Sabiha Gökçen is also 40 minutes away.
From the city centre
If traveling from the city, take a taxi direct to the hotel or catch the Funikuler (an underground tram route, opened in 2006) from Taksim Square to Kabatas, where the hotel’s own water shuttle can take you across the Strait (free if you stick to the scheduled services, otherwise there’s a charge).
You can also take a ferry from Eminonu (close to Sultanahmet) to Cengelkoy. They run every two hours or so from 08:00 am to about 22:15 daily.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Turkey and getting around
Airports:
- Istanbul Airport 50.0 km IST
- Sabiha Gökçen International 40.0 km SAW
Other:
- Beach 20.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km