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There can not be a hotel
anything like the Eklektik anywhere in Istanbul - actually, in the whole of
Turkey.
The Eklektik is a brave move. It's a gay hotel in a city which has not tried this before. And it's not just a gay hotel, it aims high—its a boutique hotel. A hotel straight out of the style magazines in a city which fiercely observes Ramadan. A hotel that borders on camp in the middle of working class Beyoglu/Pera. It's brave, innovative, and I am pleased to announce, a massive success.
It's very new. The hotel only had its makeover back in 2005. It's positioning is perfect, at the southern end of Istikal Caddesi, and near Tunel Square. To get there from Istikal Caddesi, head along the southern stretch until you come to the gates of the Swedish Embassy. Next to it is a descending car park (adjoining the German school) and at the bottom, the narrow street of Serdar-i-Ekram. Walk past the grocery shop, and the first lane bending sharply to your right is Sahkulu Mah. Cobbles will take you up to a four-story townhouse whose doors are manned around the clock.
There are 10 rooms at varying prices and each one is decorated indivually. To reach them, you have to traverse a remodelled wooden staircase which creaks audibly. There is a reason for this creaking as pressure sensors activate the lights as you ascend. The bath/shower is generally up/down on another level. The rooms start at £40 a night for a single without bathroom to £90 a night for double with bathroom.
The Eklektik is a brave move. It's a gay hotel in a city which has not tried this before. And it's not just a gay hotel, it aims high—its a boutique hotel. A hotel straight out of the style magazines in a city which fiercely observes Ramadan. A hotel that borders on camp in the middle of working class Beyoglu/Pera. It's brave, innovative, and I am pleased to announce, a massive success.
It's very new. The hotel only had its makeover back in 2005. It's positioning is perfect, at the southern end of Istikal Caddesi, and near Tunel Square. To get there from Istikal Caddesi, head along the southern stretch until you come to the gates of the Swedish Embassy. Next to it is a descending car park (adjoining the German school) and at the bottom, the narrow street of Serdar-i-Ekram. Walk past the grocery shop, and the first lane bending sharply to your right is Sahkulu Mah. Cobbles will take you up to a four-story townhouse whose doors are manned around the clock.
There are 10 rooms at varying prices and each one is decorated indivually. To reach them, you have to traverse a remodelled wooden staircase which creaks audibly. There is a reason for this creaking as pressure sensors activate the lights as you ascend. The bath/shower is generally up/down on another level. The rooms start at £40 a night for a single without bathroom to £90 a night for double with bathroom.
My room had a rose on its front door. But inside, ye gods! The campest room I have ever experienced. So camp in fact, I burst out laughing. I thought a gang of gay men had committed a decorative mugging. What struck me first? The parquet floor? The white sheets? The lavender walls? The oval mirrors? The bright pink sink/TV combo? Or was it the glass light globe dangling from the ceiling full of artistically arranged flowers? Well, ten out of ten for campness. I approve, though I suspect I was the butchest thing in there.
But the staff work hard to make it a success. The day assistants are Sabo and Ehan who serve the breakfast. Each morning, there is a spread of dates, bread, honey, olives, raisins, and steaming black coffee. I was there during Ramadan and they would often eat communally once four o'clock occurred. The guests were invited to eat with them. One more thing about Ramadan. This is traditional Istanbul and at 3:30 each morning, a muezzin strolled the streets wailing and beating a drum. It uncomfortably permeates your sleep, alerting you and the local faithful to first prayers. Local colour, I believe they call it.
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