Latest news with #IstanbulModern
Tourism Breaking News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Rixos Tersane Istanbul gears up to welcome GCC guests with tailored experiences for spring and summer travel seasons
Post Views: 65 Rixos Tersane Istanbul is enhancing its offerings to cater to the needs of discerning travellers from the GCC region. In an exclusive interview Managing Director of Rixos Tersane Istanbul, Cetin Pehlivan shared insights on how the property is positioning itself as a premier destination for GCC families and holidaymakers seeking cultural richness, modern comfort, and exceptional service in the heart of Istanbul. 'GCC countries represent a key market for us,' the Managing Director emphasized. 'Guests from the Gulf value authenticity, comfort, privacy, and exceptional service — all of which align perfectly with the Rixos brand and the unique positioning of Rixos Tersane Istanbul,' he added. Set against the backdrop of a 600-year-old Ottoman shipyard, the hotel blends historical charm with world-class hospitality. With panoramic views of the Golden Horn and a family-friendly atmosphere, it offers a seamless fusion of heritage and luxury — an ideal match for travelers from the GCC. In preparation for the high season, the hotel has rolled out a range of enhancements tailored to Gulf travelers. These include Arabic-speaking staff, halal-certified dining options, family-oriented suites, and culturally sensitive concierge services. Additionally, guests can look forward to exclusive experiences such as private boat tours, access to top cultural events, and bespoke itineraries highlighting Istanbul's art, gastronomy, and wellness scenes. 'Our goal is to make every guest from the Gulf feel not just welcomed, but understood and appreciated,' said the Managing Director A standout feature at Rixos Tersane Istanbul is its 'Discovery Routes' — a complimentary series of curated excursions that invite guests to explore Istanbul's vibrant history and culture. Highlights include private cruises along the Golden Horn, visits to the Istanbul Modern and the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, and weekly guided tours through the historic neighborhoods of Fener and Balat. For families and couples seeking even more customization, the hotel offers tailored itineraries with special attention to children's entertainment, culinary adventures, and artistic immersion. To mark the Eid Al-Adha holiday, Rixos Tersane Istanbul is inviting GCC guests to experience a festive stay like no other. The hotel promises a celebratory atmosphere with curated art experiences, immersive Discovery Routes, and activities for all ages — all set against Istanbul's breathtaking June backdrop. 'Eid at Rixos Tersane Istanbul is more than just a holiday; it's a celebration of connection and lasting memories,' the Managing Director added. Strategically located within Tersane Istanbul — one of Türkiye's most ambitious urban restoration projects — the hotel stands as a symbolic bridge between past and present. Its proximity to ancient landmarks, bustling districts, and tranquil waters makes it a one-of-a-kind urban resort for cultural travelers. With its Islamic heritage, vibrant atmosphere, and seamless blend of modernity and tradition, Istanbul remains a favored destination for Gulf families. Short flight distances, halal-friendly amenities, and privacy-focused hospitality make the city especially appealing for multi-generational travelers. 'At Rixos Tersane Istanbul, we aim to elevate every aspect of our guests' journey, offering a home away from home with a rich cultural soul,' concluded the Managing Director.
Times
08-05-2025
- Times
16 of the best affordable hotels in Istanbul under £200
O nce bitten, forever smitten — that's Istanbul in a nutshell, a place that easily deserves to be up there with Paris and Rome on the city break bucket list. Founded in distant centuries before Christ as Byzantium, a Greek colony, Istanbul has rich, ancient culture in its DNA. Not least because the Romans later came, depositing aqueducts and domed churches that still grace the skyline today, while subsequently the Ottomans blessed the cityscape with huge, ornate mosques, beautified by slender minarets. Come to Istanbul for the mesmerising heritage, then — but add a few days longer for the thriving gastronomic scene, centred in downtown Beyoglu district as well as along the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, which Istanbul clusters along, east and west. Stay up late in summer, in cool open-air rooftop bars, and check out the swinging art scene; Turkey's first museum of modern and contemporary art is Istanbul Modern, packed with galleries of vivid head-turning works that will easily fill an afternoon. As you'd expect in a place with a population of nearly 16 million, there are hotels for every taste and budget. Here are the best affordable hotels in Istanbul. Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue SPA | POOL | Best for nightlife Central and accessible, the once-industrial Bomonti district is for night owls: its main attraction is the sprawling renovated Bomonti beer brewery, run by Swiss operators in Ottoman times then left to decay. Rock up now and you'll find, about its low-lit, funky environs, a honeycomb of bars and restaurants, spiritually not unlike what's on offer in London's upcycled Battersea Power Station. At the hotel the deal is affordable, unfussy urban comfort — twin rooms, executives with lounge access, and high-floor options with mesmerising city and sea views. Settle in with sunset drinks at Cloud 34, the summit bar, lunch lazily in the Grand Lobby, with its garden terrace, and rest weary limbs in the Turkish hammam. Adahan DeCamondo Pera, Autograph Collection Best for rooftop dining This downtown stunner is an absolute steal for its style. It's set over several floors of an elegant European-district townhouse on a steep sidestreet, with a corking rooftop alfresco dining terrace overlooking the Golden Horn estuary. Seen from here as you neck Turkish red wine, the famous mosques glitter orange after dark. Meanwhile inside, Béatrice Restaurant does delicious grilled fish dishes, pasta mains and veggie casserole. High-ceilinged bedrooms are crisp, coolly monochrome, fairly minimalist and very Instagrammable. Check in for proximity to the bar-lined streets of surrounding Beyoglu — and the evening starts here. POOL | Best for location You'll feel like you've been transported back to Istanbul's glamorous early 20th century belle époque at this boutique hotel in an artistically renovated, historic building in the heart of the decadent Pera district. Expect an atmospherically low-lit rooftop restaurant, Simone, with views of the pencil-like Galata Tower, antique telephones in the rooms and live jazz piano music to welcome you in the lobby. It also has everything you need to fully enjoy the magnificent location, including a fine fifth-floor cocktail lounge, as well as well-informed staff who can point you in the direction of all the sights that are on your doorstep. Thoughtful details help lend it a luxury feel, including the complimentary minibar and unique artworks in each room. Best for a romantic break You will think that you've walked into one of Paris's chicest quarters when you pass through the doors of Georges, a boutique hotel founded by the Turkish-French duo Alex Varlik and Eric Kamhi, who completely redesigned the structure, dating from 1882. The cosy interiors are inspired by the taste of the building's former resident, Avram de Castro, a prominent physician in the Ottoman Empire. Its rooftop restaurant, Le Fumoir, serves up Gallic cuisine (come in winter for the coq au vin) alongside an extensive French wine list. The location is Galata, a maze of atmospheric backstreets. But don't expect to pay Parisian prices: while Georges features in the Michelin hotel guide, room rates equal those of a budget chain in the French capital. Fabulous food, luxury bed linen and a prime spot in the centre of the city, too. Best for proximity to the city centre This modern, no-frills hotel provides a welcome calm among the exhilarating but often exhausting chaos of the historic peninsula. Rooms are pared down dens in tones of creamy white and cookie-dough. Tens of thousands of tourists flock to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace every day, and the Alilass is less than ten minutes' stroll from all of them. To beat the crowds and see this timeless cityscape at its most breathtaking, set your alarm early and come out to watch the sun rising over the skyline as the call to prayer rings out — the best spot is the huge square between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. SPA | Best for families The Skalion sits within striking distance of all the historic sites, making it the perfect choice for families — Istanbul can be hard to navigate with small children. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and the city's most famous mosques can all be easily reached, even on the smallest of feet. Its immediate neighbourhood, Kumkapi, is one of the best places to find Pakistani, Yemeni and Uyghur cuisine. By sacrificing (slightly) on location, you also get luxe touches for a budget price, including an on-site spa (the great aromatherapy massage is £73 for an hour) and a terrace restaurant serving burgers, spag bol, lamb chops and pizza, with views over Istanbul's old city walls and the Sea of Marmara. Best for explorers Get ready for some serious hill walking when you stay at Angel's Home: like many old houses in Istanbul, this place is located at the bottom of a maze of steep streets. But the short trek is worth it, because within a few minutes you will reach many of Istanbul's sights. There's something magical about making the approach through the backstreets rather than arriving with the tourist hordes. Rooms, with free soft drinks in minibars, are bare-floored and budget-boutiquey, including a suite with a private hammam. There's complimentary coffee, tea and breakfast patisserie on the roof terrace. Best for art lovers Taksim, Istanbul's sprawling central square, is the frenetic heart of the city, which buzzes at all hours with the sound of traffic, nightclubs, mosques and the chatter of thousands of people. But you'll feel like you've walked into a serene otherworld in the Artisan, which — as its full name suggests — doubles up as an art exhibition space. Dozens of works are displayed throughout the hotel, and there are visiting events. Rooms have free tea and espresso-making facilities, and are sprinkled with restful touches such as aromatherapy sprays to help you drift off to a blissful sleep. Consider a suite-level stay to guarantee a Bosphorus view. Best for young travellers Ortakoy is coming onto the map as a tourist neighbourhood thanks to its prime Bosphorus location, right next to the suspension bridge. The cobbled old streets along the shoreline are packed with old-style coffee and tea houses, bars and meyhane restaurants that serve up fish, mezze and aniseed liqueur. Corner Hot offers a variety of budget rooms in a quaint and cosy old building that was a butcher's a century or so ago — look for goats' heads as decorative features on the façade. There are also longer-term lets in two self-contained houses nearby. Inside, it's a fun blend of historic features and modern fittings, perfectly capturing the bohemian soul of this district. All that and a pleasant ground-floor café, with Bosphorus boat tours to board close by. • Best things to do in Istanbul • Best places to visit in Turkey Best for solo female travellers This row of old town houses gathered around an idyllic courtyard garden wins fans for its kitsch interior and friendly vibe, as well as its proximity to all the best-known sites. It is sited between ancient relics, including the ruins of a 15th-century hammam, and the panorama from the roof terrace is a picture postcard of Istanbul come to life. All 23 rooms are unique, and the top end includes spacious suites. The basic rooms are still comfortable and chic — and an absolute bargain — breakfast, included in the rate, is served in a tranquil little garden space with burbling fountains in good weather. SPA | Best for groups This hotel in Cukurcuma, with its galleries, design stores and cool cafés, is really a serviced apartment block and spa that hits the sweet spot between boutique hotel and self-catering. Expect spacious, modern apartments with bare walls and bright sunshine through big windows. Breakfast is included here but, with so many great places on the doorstep serving local dishes such as menemen (scrambled eggs and vegetables) or muhlama (a huge pan of melted cheese that you scoop up with bread) you may wish to venture out, past the hotel buffet, some mornings. Best for waterside location The port district of Karakoy is undergoing a renaissance, and its once-scruffy backstreets are now adorned with high-end hotels, bars and shops. The Nabu manages to capture the refined ambiance of the new Karakoy without the hefty price tag you'll find in other establishments. Rooms are cosy and embellished with lush plants and sumptuous fabrics, the deluxe rooms and suites have balconies and there is a gastropub on site serving pizzas, pasta dishes and burgers as well as beers, wines and spirits. Spend a lazy day getting lost in the cobbled streets outside, discovering hidden han — courtyard workshops — and browsing the ateliers. Best for discovering a buzzing district Istanbul's significantly less touristy Asian district was a late bloomer in the hotel scene, but now canny hoteliers have converted historic houses into snug accommodation that will give you a base to explore one of the best parts of the city. Belizia is a looker, interiors-wise, with retro-romantic slatted blinds in rooms. You're right in the heart of the action in buzzing young Kadikoy, beloved of artists, students and young professionals. It's 20 minutes' walk from Kadikoy port, where you'll arrive on the vintage passenger ferry, to the hotel, situated in a classic portside house nestled among newer concrete neighbours. Out back there's a cute private garden where they'll serve you morning coffee, Turkish style. SPA | Best for a lovely spa With the sublime Basilica Cistern — part of the city's ornate, Byzantine-era underground water system — as its neighbour, it's no wonder that the Antusa centres its pitch around its own historic cistern, which feeds its traditional hammam. The hotel's Zeugma Terrace restaurant commands the rooftop, with gawp-inducing views of the huge Hagia Sophia and its domes. As well as the steam bath, its spa also offers massage and salt therapy, with guests getting a discount. Rooms are basic but clean and comfortable, and you can't get much better for location: not just the Hagia Sophia, but also the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar are about ten minutes' walk away. Best for feeling Istanbul's history Across the broad Bosphorus Strait from tourist-thronged European Istanbul, Uskudar is a slice of real-feel city. As is this late-19th-century timber house, sensitively restored and decorated to give guests a true feel of genteel late Ottoman life. Expect rooms filled with antique furniture and rugs, and fine manicured gardens out front. Uskudar brims with history, all hidden mosques and monuments as you wander the steep streets. Just south along the Bosphorus is laid-back Kuzguncuk, with its idle cafes and dusty antiques shops to browse all afternoon. Views from here in Asia, back to Europe are splendid, with the full sweep of the historic peninsula to your left, the original 70s suspension bridge (Istanbul now has more) to your right, and the glinting towers of the modern city ahead; head to Uskudar's waterfront for crimson sunsets, which draw local crowds. Best for escaping the city The Adalar (or Princes' Islands), while not exactly a secret, aren't on many tourists' radars — but if you can, take a day to ride a municipal ferry from the city out to one (or more). Clustered an hour out in the Sea of Marmara, they include a clutch of inhabited outcrops, and Buyukada ('big island') is the magnet. You'll get a postcard of old Istanbul, where elegant residences, some in Addams Family-worthy timber, others faintly art deco with their sweeping facades, have survived and cars are banned. Actually, forget a day trip — stay a night or two. The Anastasia Meziki is a romantic pastel-pink mansion on Buyukada, all wrought-iron bedsteads and hardwood floors in bedrooms that sleep up to four, making for a fine family base. • Best hotels in Istanbul • Best beaches near Istanbul Sign up to the travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Istanbul Now: Where The Contemporary Thrives
Istanbul always defies expectation for me. A city layered in history, myth, and memory, it could easily be overwhelmed by the weight of its own millennia. Yet Istanbul refuses to stand still. Instead, it constantly pushes the narrative forward - through art, food, architecture, and the restless current of conversation flowing between its European and Asian shores. From concept stores in Galata to rooftop cocktails in Pera, here's a look at contemporary Istanbul. ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 18: A view from Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkiye's first museum of modern and contemporary art and designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop as the new building has been opened on May 4, in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 18, 2023. (Photo by Arife Karakum/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The heart of contemporary Istanbul is Istanbul Modern, the city's landmark for art. The museum originally opened in 2004, but in 2023, the collection took up residence in a gorgeous glass box syle building on the water's edge at Galataport. Designed by Renzo Piano, the three level museum is a celebration of sustainability. The shimmering façade is made of 3D-formed aluminum panels that reflect the changing light of the Bosphorus, creating high-efficiency lighting and heating systems, while the panoramic terrace doubles as a water collecting pool which then cools down the museum in the hot months, and it's a great spot to catch the sunset. İstanbul,Turkey October 25,2024:Istanbul Modern is known as Turkey's first modern and contemporary art museum. I 'The serenity of its terrace is something I always appreciate after work,' says Ümit Mesci, Curatorial Director of Istanbul Modern, Istanbul Modern's collection shows off the progression of modern and contemporary Turkish art, from early 20th-century masters to today's artist including pieces by Fahrelnissa Zeid, Sarkis, Ayşe Erkmen, Gülsün Karamustafa, Nil Yalter, and İnci Eviner, as well as international artists like Mark Bradford, Alicja Kwade, and Haegue Yang. ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 18: An interior view of Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkiye's first museum of modern and contemporary art and designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop as the new building has been opened on May 4, in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 18, 2023. (Photo by Arife Karakum/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) "Artists today are not just making paintings or sculptures — we are creating new languages for a world that doesn't exist yet,' says Refik Anadol one of Türkiye's most celebrated contemporary artists. Internationally known for pioneering work at the intersection of art, technology, and memory, Anadol returned to Istanbul for his groundbreaking installation Inner Portrait, at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM). Created in collaboration with Turkish Airlines, Inner Portrait is an immersive 'data sculpture'. Translation? The visual translation of the emotional responses of four first-time travelers to Tokyo, Istanbul, and Petra into an ever-shifting landscapes of data, cascading light and color. AKM is jut the first stop on Inner Portraits global tour. ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - NOVEMBER 27: Inner Portrait, Refik Anadol Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul, Turkiye on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images) The city's contemporary spirit reaches a crescendo each September with Contemporary Istanbul, the city's flagship art fair. Now celebrating its 20th edition, the fair brings together more than 50 galleries from around the world, showcasing a dynamic mix of local and international talent. Bridging Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Contemporary Istanbul has become a key East-meets-West stop on the global art circuit — perfectly positioned after New York's Armory Show and just before Art Basel Miami Beach. This year's edition takes place September 25-28. 'I try not to get lost in nostalgia,' says Mesci, reflecting on the ever-shifting character of Istanbul. In a city of nearly 20 million, where centuries-old streets collide with constant reinvention, every neighborhood tells a different story and everyone has their own favorite corner. On the Asian side, Kadıköy and neighboring Moda pulse with creativity, where street murals, vintage shops, and waterfront cafés hum with new ideas. Across the water, Beyoğlu, home to Istanbul Modern and a constellation of galleries and theaters, feels, in Mesci's words, 'the most contemporary face of the city.' Istanbul Turkey Beyoglu Istiklal shopping street daytime with a crowd of people walking around. Several stores line the street. Writer and creative consultant Lucy Scovell is drawn to the intimate ateliers and concept stores tucked into Galata's winding streets, the playful cafés of Balat, and the breezy, leafy calm of Bebek, where the Bosphorus shimmers just beyond elegant storefronts. To slip into the city's creative personality, Scovell suggests a coffee at Minoa Bookstore Café in Pera, where writers and designers spill across tables, or a sunset cocktail at Soho House Istanbul's rooftop, where the Bosphorus glows gold and blue at dusk. getty In Istanbul, food is another art form whether it's bakeries, street vendors, restaurants or esnaf lokantası, shopkeeper's restaurants. And frankly, it's timeless. 'Türkiye has a multidimensional 'ordinary' richness, from Balkan to Caucasian to Arabic cuisines,' says Mesci, who prefers lokantası, to any fine dining. Scovell cuts to the point and lists Smelt & Co. in Balat for its inventive, playful dishes, Yeni Lokanta in Beyoğlu, for Turkish classics with a fresh, elegant twist, and for skyline views and refined dining, Mikla, does not disappoint. I love them all but also find myself queuing for midye dolma (mussels) at every street vendor. Eager to dive deeper? Culinary Backstreets leads tours through Istanbul's edible history. Anadolu Hisari (Anatolian Castle) in Istanbul, Turkey In spite of my love for contemporary Istanbul, its boundary-pushing art, and endless reinvention, I can't help but stay in the past. There is nothing quite like Çırağan Palace Kempinski, with its Romanesque grandeur and gilded Ottoman halls. The palace floats along the Bosphorus, and is a reminder that in Istanbul, you can hop off the tram, slip past the crowds, and step back in time.
