Armada Istanbul Pera Hotel ★★★★

We were on some sort of busman’s holiday. My architect husband had set his heart on exploring the fabulous structures of Istanbul in combination with our long-awaited celebration trip. What better way to appreciate some of the iconic architecture of the city than to live inside one of its finest examples! The Armada Istanbul Pera Hotel was originally home to the famous tailor to the Ottoman court, Paul Parma. In addition to becoming court tailor in the era of Sultan Abdülhamid II, the atelier also catered to wealthy Istanbul customers to create European-style clothing, all tagged with the Parma label. These bore the legend that Paul Parma was "Tailor to the Court".

We drew up in the taxi helpfully provided by the hotel to meet us from the airport. Recently restored to its original 1930s glory, the façade we saw was a real Art Nouveau delight; a tall slim building with recessed balconies down one side and pillared curved balconies jutting in a line down the middle. It stands its ground proudly among its neighbouring buildings, in what is now one of the most historic and prestigious areas of the city.  When we stepped inside, we could see the care that has been taken in all the details, with elegant period plant pots, a padded circular settee and marble steps leading to the reception desk. The staff member behind the desk was warm and welcoming, and pleased to hear that we had been given a brilliant commentary on the local sights from the hotel’s driver as we travelled from the airport.

Our Superior Double Room really was superior! The bed was a dream of softness, and the silky sheets even had the silver piping reminiscent of a genuinely old-world hotel. The room had a classic wooden floor, and high ceilings. It was spacious and beautifully furnished with antique chairs and tables. An espresso machine, a rainfall shower, and olive oil toiletries completed our creature comforts. In the early evening, we made our way up to the Parma Terrace on the roof where we sipped a glass of wine from the bar, watching the sun go down over the unforgettable silhouette of the city.  ‘One should gaze on Istanbul’, and we did.

Breakfast in the Parma Café on the first floor consisted of a tempting spread of international staples as well as a lovely choice of Turkish delicacies such as Kasar Peynir (Kashar Cheese), pastries stuffed with meat or cheese, and Greek-style Keçi Yogurdu (goat’s yoghourt). Well fortified for our first day of architectural marvels, we stepped out the front door, armed with a map, lots of helpful suggestions from the reception staff, and a spirit of adventure.

We were not disappointed. Istanbul could never reveal all of its treasures in one visit, and there is so much more than the must-see sights like the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia museum, and the popular Galata Tower and Taksim Square. We loved seeing them, but for the genuine atmosphere of the city, it seemed to us that all we had to do was to stroll around the streets close to the hotel and discover restaurants, shops, holy sites and architectural curiosities that will certainly keep us coming back for more. So will our beautiful Armada Istanbul Pera Hotel!