Hendek Loft

Hendek loft is on the fifth floor – five flights of original marble stairs – of an elegant 19th century building close to Galata Tower. It’s a bit of a trek, but the views are well worth it! The whole building was refurbished in 2011 and this apartment in April 2015.

The streets below are atmospheric with small, trendy boutiques and cafe-restaurants, yet are quiet and residential at night. Galata’s pedestrianised area is just around the corner with its lively pavement cafes and restaurants plus all the buzz of this bohemian district. You’ll quickly feel part of neighborhood life in all its character.

The apartment building is only 2 minutes walk from Sishane metro station, 1 minute walk from Tünel funicular and a downhill walk to connect with the tram for Sultanahmet. Famous Istiklal Avenue is less than 5 minutes walk up the hill.

The front door opens into the centre of the apartment and immediately you are impressed with the view ahead, through floor to ceiling sliding glass doors. The space is open plan yet well zoned, so very easy and a pleasure to live in. The kitchen is well-equipped to a high standard, with electric hob, huge fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. The shower room has good storage and contemporary white ceramic fixtures. There are two comfortable seating areas, one with large sofa-bed and coffee table and another with two armchairs and flat-screen TV. The bedroom area has an elegant double bed with great mattress and high quality crisp white linens. Sliding doors next to the bed hide a generous storage unit and wardrobe, perfect for getting organised and hiding away suitcases etc. Next to the kitchen is a circular dining table and chairs for indoor eating close to the views.

Through the sliding glass doors is the very comfortable wrap-around terrace with fabulous views across the Golden Horn in one direction and with your neighbour, Galata Tower, in another. Wooden decking makes the outdoor dining area here feel really cosy and also integral to the interior of the apartment. There are deck chairs available too. The other end of the terrace has an outdoor utility area with facilities for laundry drying.

The loft apartment is a generous 45 m2 in total and the wrap-around terrace adds another couple of meters along two sides. The space is bright and airy, with gorgeous evening light flooding the apartment and sunset views for much of the year from your own private terrace.

The building has a private entrance and stairwell of restored original marble, shared with one apartment on each of four floors. We also manage these – 2 double-bedroom – apartments, so we are able to keep the communal areas in good repair.

Various combinations of these apartments are possible for larger groups.

Guests of Hendek loft will have the complete privacy of the entire studio apartment with its wrap-around terrace and fabulous views.

Heike K, Cologne, Germany. more reviews are on tripadvisor