Istanbul
Kybele
Dedicated to the ancient Hittite goddess Kybele, this boutique hotel in Sultanahmet presents a lavish, jewel-box like interior design highlighted by antique carpets and furniture, red and gold walls, curios, and more than 2,000 colored-glass candle lamps hanging from the ceilings. Only 16 rooms are available, each decorated in a similar but simpler manner, while the garden, where breakfast is served, is reminiscent of a gypsy caravan. Sitting partly over Istanbul’s famous Basilica Cistern, the hotel is in easy walking distance from most major landmarks.
Room to Book:
Make sure you ask for a street-side room. The ones on the other side are darker and subject to not-always-pleasant aromas (and early morning noise) from the kitchen.
Insider Tip:
While not short on charm, Kybele is short of space. Its maze of rooms and tight staircases and corridors can present challenges to those with mobility issues.
