KYBELE HOTEL (Sultanahmet)
Wow! Talk about a Casbah! Kinda like Marrakesh in Istanbul, the Kybele is a heady composition of oriental kilims, antique armchairs, calligraphic plates, bronze candle stands, old Turkish door panes, and a piano that fills every nook and cranny of two of Sultanahmet's historic townhouses.
The lobby is lit by no less than a thousand and two individually crafted lamps of antique glass, adding one to the proverbial number of nights. What may seem like a mish-mash of odds and ends is, well, just what it seems. No designer here, just a passion for orientalism and exoticism from the sibling team of Alp, Hasan and Mike Akbayrak, who own and manage this must-see hotel.
The trio is smooth, and for good reason, they once were antique and carpet dealers (kid you not!); one has an engineering degree; another's served as an officer with the Turkish army and spent three years in an Australian circus. Communication with guests flows easily for the Akbayraks, as they're fluent in English, Japanese and several other languages. Don't let any lure you to a game of backgammon; they're experts!
What's more is that the Kybele's right atop the more than 300 marble colonades that hold the ceiling of the Yerebatan cistern, and just across from the Hagia Sophia. Literally 40 paces to either entrances. Talk about a no commute!
ESSENTIALS
Address: Yerebatan Cad. 35, Sultanahmet 34110 Istanbul
Phone: +90 (212) 511 77 66; 511 77 67
Email: info@kybelehotel.com
Capacity: 18 units; PAX 32
Rates: Doubles 230-270TL
STRICTLY SPEAKING
Church = Kilesi (pron. keylesey)