A’jia Hotel in Istanbul is a luxury, boutique hotel located on the Bosphorus in the upscale suburb of Kanlica.
Situated in the former “Yali” (Ottoman mansion) of Ahmet Rasim Pasha, A’jia is pure, modern elegance. It is befitting that A’jia was awarded Conde Nast Johansensens Award for “Most Excellent Charming Hotel” in Europe. This hotel is equally charming as it is excellent.
Ahmet Rasim Pasha “Yali” was built at the end of the 19th century. The Yali burned down after Ahmet Rasim Pasha’s death and was rebuilt in 1898 and sold to the Istanbul Municipality. Until 1970, the Yali served as an elementary school and in 2002 restorations began to conform the building to a hotel. A’jia opened to the public in 2005 as a sixteen room, luxury, boutique hotel.
We arrived at A’jia unannounced on a week night just past 10pm. At this hour, the upscale neighborhood where A’jia is situated seemed deserted. The area is serene in comparison to the hustle and bustle of most other neighborhoods in Istanbul, a nice getaway for the discerning traveler.
The night attendant was a bit surprised to be receiving guests at the hour of our arrival. I believe we had to ring a buzzer to be let into the property. When you enter the front entrance, there is a small desk immediately to your left. That is “check-in”. Just beyond the desk, on the left is a door to the bar and restaurant.
The attendant greeted us with extreme hospitality. We asked if we could have a short tour and he gleefully obliged. We were escorted through the available rooms and suites. Every sleeping room has a view of the Bosphorus, even at night, the view was breathtaking. All rooms have large picture windows and some rooms have balconies.
The rooms are decorated in the same style as the remainder of the property – contemporary with intricate attention to detail. One of those details was the signature “scent” of the hotel, a light orange aroma in all of the sleeping rooms that one can purchase from the hotel should they desire. I also took particular note of the minimalist bathrooms reminiscient of Japanese decor.
My favorite spot on the property was the outdoor space. (My camera was stolen earlier on this trip and I regret not being able to take my own photos) This hotel is a fantastic destination for elite Turkish weddings. With open views of the Bosphorus and a generous amount of space for larger groups. One can easily imagine that summer-time on this patio with a glass of raki, some feta cheese and olives must be sublime.
Though I did not spend the night in the hotel, the staff was particularly kind and hospitable. We spent nearly an hour with the night attendant as he guided us through the property. He graciously answered my numerous questions regarding the property, the amenities, services offered (private yacht transfers throughout the Bosphorus) and all questions I had regarding the owners and operators of the property.
A’jia is a retreat, a hidden gem or a romantic hideaway. It seems like it would be a perfect spot to bring your beautiful mistress and forget about the world for a while. Or, a secluded place for a celebrity to frolic covertly while successfully eluding the paparazzi. The majestic feel of this hotel leaves one with an air of decadence.
For the rest of us, A’jia is simply a peaceful place to enjoy a piece of Istanbul that most tourists will never experience.
For more information or to book at trip please contact us HERE OR phone us at 312.263.1991 or 800.677.8875
