Hidden deep within the charmingly labyrinthine network of roads running through Istanbul’s historical Beyoğlu neighbourhood, the gem-like Casa Foscolo, a Member of Design Hotels, doubles as a treasure trove of contemporary art. In fact, this boutique bolthole is – somewhat remarkably – home to more artworks than it is to rooms and suites.
Istanbul has no shortage of storied real estate turned guest accommodations, but while quasi-palaces along the Bosphorus’ shore cater to luxury travellers in search of an urban resort experience, more concept-driven hotels, until recently, hadn’t quite made it out of the new-build territory. Cue Casa Foscolo, the late 2024-opened neighbourhood hot spot and hotel first built in the 1890s and opened in 1900, a style-forward address among a recent wave of properties in town to signal that old bones and new ideas do indeed go together.
Originally commissioned by the Venetian Foscolo family as what would now be coined an apart-hotel for its maritime trading business, the property later fell into the hands of another European dynasty when the German Holsteins took over in 1930. And the hotel has retained and restored no small amount of structural features, weaving a coherent narrative of the building’s previous lives across its five storeys – the splendidly restored spiral staircase connecting them being a prime example of how the past was brought into the presence here.
But local designer Emre Kuzlu, who was tasked with both the architectural renovation and Casa Foscolo’s interior design, also furnished the hotel with modern amenities and a sensibility to appeal to a creative crowd, having earned it a spot among the coveted Design Hotels portfolio. Behind its neoclassical facade, the Casa’s high ceilings and ambient-lit spaces serve as an almost museum-like space for its collection of artworks, the first few of which greeted us at check-in: there was the pink- and red-hued, mirrored wall art by artist Ayşe Gül Süter, and woven cloths spelling out the words ‘HI’ and ‘BYE’, by Merve Şendil, wittily positioned by the reception desk (other notable works included a pig-nosed portrait by Oleg Dou, and a breathing statue courtesy of Server Demirtaş, which the staff kindly offered to turn on for us).
Speaking of the team, service at Casa Foscolo is of the genuine and relaxed kind. The staff will happily oblige in giving you an introduction to the many wonderful sights within easy walking distance from the hotel’s central but quiet location, though there’s no forced formality, memorised phrases or that sense of people bending over backwards which we’d argue would be misplaced given the property’s accessible price point and less formulaic character anyway. Instead of these, you get warm smiles and a sense that the very employees themselves enjoy being in a space where creative expression quite literally drips off the walls.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Insider | IST | GMT +3 |
| While you’re Out There |
| The nearby Pera Museum, with its private collection of Ottoman artworks, belongs on any visitor’s agenda. But we also liked the lesser-visited French Cultural Centre near Taksim Square (you’ll need to bring an ID to access its ever-changing roster of exhibitions), and the Greek Orthodox Hagia Triada Church around the corner. En route back, take a small detour to Cezayir Sokak, a tiny alleyway bursting at the seams with cafés and restaurants. It’s a great spot for authentic Turkish coffee. |
Confident design also informs the hotel’s 18 rooms and suites, and our very own 25 sqm (269 sqft) Superior Room featured an abstract painting by Turkish artist Şahika Altınsoy, which beautifully picked up on the sage green wall against which it was set. Meanwhile, a bathroom floor seemingly lifted from a 1970s Milanese mansion and a table lamp in the style of Louis Poulsen’s iconic, multi-tiered design classics, felt simultaneously retrospective and modern. There was a smart TV, intuitive lights, a rainfall shower, a reasonably sized kitchenette – a nod to the building’s beginnings as an apart-hotel – and a number of mod-cons that elevated our stay. In the mornings, we took our first coffee of the day on our small balcony overlooking one of Beyoğlu’s narrow alleyways, while at night, we slept like a baby thanks to excellent sound insulation.
Though we found that Casa Foscolo gets a lot right with its rooms, there were a few missed opportunities that would’ve done wonders in elevating our stay. For one, though we appreciated a small welcome amenity of fruits, this was neither served sliced nor with the necessary cutlery enabling us to slice it ourselves, which left us wondering whether the amenity was for show more than anything else. We were also surprised to find our accommodation featuring just one bedside table, despite there being sufficient space for a second (our bathroom, too, would’ve benefited from additional shelf space). Travellers looking for more comfort during a longer stay should consider the Corner Suite with Bay Window, outfitted with a bulbous sofa and cloud-like light fixtures. A Two-Bedroom Suite is available as well.
The hotel’s breakfast area, also a dedicated exhibition space, is perhaps among its most interesting features. Art is just about everywhere you look here, and when we stayed, the team excitedly told us about a renowned artist who had checked out just days ahead of our arrival. Jazzy music fills the space and a communal table decorated with fresh flowers and illustrated books invites guests to mingle, though we preferred eating in the adjacent main area. Casa Foscolo offers a small menu paired with a buffet where daily changing treats await alongside fruits, juices, chia seed puddings, nuts and seeds and a self-service coffee machine. Our plant-based diet was accommodated by the team removing ingredients like eggs from avocado toasts and Turkish menemen. While we would’ve appreciated an alternative protein, we can’t say we went hungry, and flavours were fresh and tasty.
There’s no restaurant on the property, but we didn’t mind this so much: Istanbul’s eclectic dining scene borders Casa Foscolo on all sides, and a wide array of cuisines is on offer in the adjacent streets, where cafés and small eateries with big ambition rub shoulders. For your 3pm latte, head to the hotel’s Minoa Library on the ground floor, and for sundowners, the Terrace Bar on the rooftop serves a mean martini with glimpses of the Galata Tower and the Bosphorus on opposite sites. Somewhere between the building’s contemporary finishes and its historical charm, guests with a penchant for boutique hospitality will find a quality here that’s missing from the city’s more upscale addresses. While Casa Foscolo isn’t the most luxurious, it’s a labour of love that will appeal to design-savvy travellers and community-minded visitors alike.
www.casafoscolo.com | www.designhotels.com
Photography courtesy of Casa Foscolo, a Member of Design Hotels
