Sumahan on the Water

The Bosphorus Suburbs


This elegant hotel in a cleverly converted historic rakı (aniseed brandy) distillery is located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and has waterside terraces, a hamam and a hotel launch that transports guests across the water. Sadly, standards of maintenance and service have fallen in recent times but rates have remained at the ultra-high end of the scale.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Bosphorus Suburbs attractions

1. Kuleli Military High School

0.33 MILES

Past the small village of Çengelköy on the Asian side of the Strait is the imposing Kuleli Military School, built in 1860 and immortalised in Irfan Orga's…

2. Beylerbeyi Palace

0.99 MILES

This opulently furnished 1865 building was designed by Sarkis Balyan, brother of Nikoğos (architect of Dolmabahçe Palace). It delighted both Sultan Abdül…

3. Robert College

1.15 MILES

On the hill behind Arnavutköy, the former American College for Girls (established 1871) is now part of the prestigious Robert College. Famous alumni…

4. Hatice Sultan Yalı

1.17 MILES

Once home to a daughter of Sultan Murat V, this red-roofed yalı under the Bosphorus Bridge functioned as a school, orphanage and sports centre during the…

5. Fehime Sultan Yalı

1.17 MILES

Once home to a daughter of Sultan Murat V, this huge yalı was built in the 1880s and extensively damaged by fire in 2003. At the time of writing it was…

6. Ortaköy Mosque

1.38 MILES

This elegant baroque-style structure was designed by Nikoğos Balyan, one of the architects of Dolmabahçe Palace, and built for Sultan Abdül Mecit I…

7. Egyptian Consulate Building

1.48 MILES

Thought by some critics to be the work of Italian architect Raimondo D’Aronco, this gorgeous art nouveau mini-palace was built for Emine Hanım, mother of…

8. Kont Ostrorog Yalı

1.6 MILES

Built in the 19th century by Count Leon Ostrorog, a Polish advisor to the Ottoman court, this huge red yalı was visited by French novelist Pierre Loti in…