If you are looking for a boutique hotel near Taksim Square but would rather not sleep in the middle of the noise, Çukurcuma is where most guests end up. Faik Pasha Hotels occupies four historic buildings on Faik Pasha Street, built in the late 1800s and restored in 2010 in line with their original plans and construction techniques.

Beyoğlu mixes the bohemian side of Istanbul with a much older history. Younger visitors come for the nightlife around İstiklal Street, while the meyhanes of Nevizade draw those who prefer a long dinner over a late night. During the day the whole area is made for walking: antique shops, vintage furniture dealers and restoration workshops fill the streets of Çukurcuma, and Cihangir and Galata are close by.

Every room here is different. The buildings are furnished with antiques collected over three years from Istanbul dealers and flea markets, with wooden ceilings and floors, handmade carpets and hundreds of period oil paintings. Rooms range from 25 m² doubles to suites and penthouses with kitchens, balconies and terraces, which suit families, groups and longer stays.

Breakfast is an open buffet served in the courtyard café: homemade breads, pastries and jams, local cheeses, börek, simit, gözleme and menemen. The café stays open through the afternoon.

What guests mention most often is the calm. The neighbourhood has character without the crowds, and the city’s main attractions are still within easy reach. It is a family business, and the difference shows in how the place is run.