Vakko Hotel & Residence review: a chic addition to Istanbul’s hotel scene
Turkish fashion house brings luxury and exclusivity to its design-led debut property
This exciting debut sees luxury Turkish fashion house Vakko take its first leap into the world of hospitality, bringing something completely new to Istanbul.
What was once a small millinery shop in 1934 has since grown into a huge brand. Vakko already offers culinary experiences through restaurants, chocolatiers and patisseries, on top of running stores across the country. Known for its understated and timeless style, these are elements that the brand has incorporated into the design of its first property.
Millions of people visit Istanbul every year, and as its reputation as a food, fashion and cultural capital continues to grow, the introduction of Vakko’s standard of luxury and exclusivity brings a new dimension to the city’s hotel scene.
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The location
Vakko Hotel & Residences can be found in Nişantaşı, one of Istanbul’s most sophisticated and fashionable neighbourhoods, which is filled with bustling lanes, architectural gems and amazing shopping.
Situated on Abdi İpekçi Street, Vakko’s location constantly reminds you of its fashion heritage. Its neighbours are some of the most exclusive stores in the world, from Louis Vuitton to Prada, as well as the Vakko flagship store itself, which sells women’s and men’s clothes, homeware and accessories.
The eight-floor property is contemporary and sleek, with an entry adorned in coloured marbles and gleaming glass. Luxury is the name of the game here, and we were greeted by stylishly attired doormen before being taken to a welcoming lobby where the busyness of outside seemed to be a distant memory.
The suites
This is a fashion-led hotel, so you can expect chic design throughout. There are 31 suites including two studio residences, 12 premiere suites, 16 signature suites, and “The Vakko Room”, a top-floor penthouse which can also be used as an events space.
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They are all generously proportioned with a spacious bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, living room, dining area, and fully-equipped kitchen. The décor is in a neutral palette, with the emphasis on varying textures from tactile woollen furnishings, to fine glass accessories, and the contrasting white and black marble of the kitchen and bathroom.
Every room has surround sound, a smart TV, a steamer, atmospheric lighting and espresso machine. Complimentary butler services by the expert Vakko butler team are offered to every guest, and a sommelier selects some of Turkey’s best wines to stock the wine fridge in each room.
There are also some unique services on offer, including personal shopping, made-to-measure tailoring in your room, bride and groom experiences and even wardrobe organisation. There is plenty of closet space, so you can completely unpack and still have plenty of room for any holiday purchases.
Spa and wellness facilities
Each room also comes equipped with a personal TechnoGym workout kit with bands, mats and rollers so you can exercise in privacy.
If you prefer to use equipment, there is the fully-stocked Vakkorama gym, which is fitted with the latest Technogym training equipment, and offers a quick and effective Biocircuit program, that gives guests a personalised experience helping them achieve their goals quicker.
Sanitas Spa & Wellness centre is also on hand to help you relax, with a sauna, steam room, and full range of treatments, including a golden massage that uses palm oil with 24 karat gold particles, Ayurvedic treatments, and a traditional Hawaiian massage called Lomi Lomi Nui. I tried the signature massage that was tailored to my needs and left me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Eating and drinking
The hotel is home to Vakko L’Atelier, a branch of the brand’s long-running restaurant chain providing high quality French fare. The salade de chèvre with warm goat cheese, honey and pomegranate was a standout dish, as well as the entrecôte with rosemary potatoes and garlic butter.
The wine list has an extensive range from around the world, but our waiter recommended a gorgeous Turkish white that suited the salad perfectly. Don’t forget to try a deliciously indulgent French dessert, too.
Breakfast, or petit dejeuner as the menu says, is also French in style, with freshly-baked croissants and crepes, but there are also egg dishes, açai bowls, and pancakes available if you want something different.
A smaller room service menu is also available to guests 24 hours a day. The French onion soup made a wonderful late night snack.
Things to do
You aren’t going to spend the entire visit in the hotel, no matter how tempting that may be, but there is an almost infinite list of things to do in Istanbul, so it could seem hard to know where to start. Vakko has commissioned a fabulous city guide that makes this easier for all guests, so be sure to peruse this at your leisure.
You can’t visit Istanbul without seeing the mosques. There are more than 3,000 in the city, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire, but the main ones you will want to check out are the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Suleymaniye Mosque. But be sure to also wander the 500-year-old Topkapi Palace, the Roman Basilica Cistern, and the Galata Tower, as well as the colourful Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Bazaar.
The Bosphorus strait is still a hugely significant waterway, and Istanbul’s history has been shaped by its position straddling Europe and Asia. The best way to explore it is by boat to ensure you get a full idea of the scale of the city.
Istanbul is a city of neighbourhoods, so get out of the centre and discover the different areas and their personalities, from the winding lanes of Beyoğlu, to the colourful (and therefore Instagrammable) houses of Balat.
We spent an evening in Bebek, an affluent area located a little further up the Bosphorus coast, and escaped the crowds of the city. Here seafood restaurants lean over the water on stilts, and we ate delicious, locally-caught sea bass and lobster at Bebek Balicki, which has been running in this area since 1974, with a view over the strait. Cocktails at the retro-styled bar Lucca completed a fun evening in this lesser-known neighbourhood.
Istanbul is famous for its food, from the juiciest doner kebabs, to local speciality “Balik Ekmuk”, a fish sandwich commonly sold at the shore. Pandeli is up a winding turquoise-tiled staircase above the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and it utilises its proximity to these flavours to its advantage. It has served traditional Turkish cuisine for decades, and we enjoyed a meal of roast lamb and charcoal grilled aubergine overlooking the busy streets below. If you fancy trying a more modern take on traditional food, Liman at the new Galataport area serves elevated Turkish cuisine, from mezze to Bosphorus blue fish.
Jaymi McCann was a guest of Vakko Hotel & Residence in Istanbul. Rates in a premiere suite start from €750 (approx. £647). Harbiye, Abdi İpekçi Cd. NO:43, 34367 Şişli/Istanbul, Turkey; vakkohotel.com
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Jaymi McCann is a freelance journalist who writes extensively on travel for The Week, as well as publications including The Telegraph, National Geographic, Rough Guides, The i Paper and The Mail on Sunday. She has a degree in English literature from the University of Glasgow, a master’s in newspaper journalism from City University London, and 15 years of experience on Fleet Street. She specialises in writing about Scotland, as well as cruising, city guides and foodie travel. Jaymi loves to discover new places, particularly in Switzerland, Germany and southern Europe. Her Glasgow guide for The Week won a gong at the annual Media Getaway Awards.