Is it really lush? Not in the opulent sense of the word. One of Istanbul's newest boutique hotels, it is an intimate 22-room sanctuary that eschews over-the-top luxe for a contemporary modern style. Opened in autumn, the hotel is draped in designer aesthetics. That's the lush part.
Is it really hip? Yes, but not enough to hurt. Touches of Ottoman grandeur mix easily with cool Wallpaper* ambitions.
The owner is a textile magnate who created an innovative hospitality brand. The lobby feels like an architect's library. Each room is different, with unique furniture pieces, chandeliers and its own theme. So obsessive is its architect, Fahrettin Aykut, that he's already giving the place an overhaul.
Where is it? In one of Istanbul's most lively districts, Beyoglu, which is the trendiest part of town. Formerly a rundown part of the European side of the city, it is now full of cafes, restaurants, fashionable shops and urban professionals moving in to be a part of the vibrancy. The basement restaurant, Lush Brasserie, will become a jazz club soon and the sixth-floor roof terrace, Lushsquare, will be transformed into a lounge with a grandstand view of hectic Taksim Square.
Anything else we should know? The building hosting the hotel is a 104-year-old townhouse that had been empty for 25 years; US$5 million later, it's a gem in the city's heart.
What's the bottom line? Rates begin at Euro225 (HK$2,430) a night for a deluxe room and reach Euro350 for a Sedir room.