Park Hyatts are taking over the world! But not that we’re complaining. This chain of hotels is always stylishly designed, with great rooms and funky bars and restaurants. The latest and greatest hotel is the Park Hyatt Instanbul, located in the trendy Nisantasi neighbourhood. The hotel, which is slated to open in October, is housed in an Art Deco building where on the ground floor shoppers will find Emporio Armani and Gucci boutiques. There will be 90 rooms, each with huge limestone bathrooms, and 25 of the rooms will feature a Turkish bath. The hotel’s signature scent will be a delicate rose. Rates will start at €350. Park Hyatt Istanbul - Maçka Palas, Bronz Sokak 35, Tesvikiye Istanbul, 34367, Turkey. Phone: + 90 212 368 1234.
If you’re looking to plan a few days in Istanbul shoppping and eating before heading off to one of Turkey's glorious beaches, check into the new W Istanbul. The hotel is the W’s first foray into Europe, and is located in the trendy Besiktas area, which counts Chloe, Vertu, Bottega Veneta and Marc Jacobs as its neighbours. The 134 guest rooms are divided into Wonderful, Spectacular, Fabulous, and Mega, with the grand daddy of them all being the Extreme Wow suite, which is 1830 square feet of over-the-topness. For chilling out, there is Jean-Georges Spice Market restaurant, a fitness center, and Sip for cocktails. W Hotel Istanbul, Suleyman Seba Cad No: 22, Akaretler, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey. Phone: (90)(212) 381 2121.
One of Istanbul's newest
restaurants, Muzedechanga, is already
making international waves. Wallpaper just named it the
Best New Restaurant of 2007. So what's the deal?
Muzedechanga is the sister restaurant of the established (and
highly regarded) Changa. Its located within the gardens of the
Sakip Sabanci museum and has views of the Bosphorous. The décor
is light and airy, with plenty of wood and glass. Kiwi born,
London-based chef Peter Gordon of The
Providores consulted on the menu, which features Turkish and Mediterranean dishes. These
dishes caught our eye: rocket salad with dried sour cherries,
goat cheese and pomegranate molasses; salt
cured bonito on leeks marinated in olive oil and fresh mint; and
cinnamon scent lamb with saffron. For dessert, there's chilli
pepper and red wine soaked pears, or white chocolate mousse with
a grapefruit compote. Yum- we're sold.