Ansen 130 Suites

I found this newish establishment listed on the NY Times Travel Section in spring 2005. It's located on the same street as Pera Palas. It's an old mansion renovated in a modernist way. The first room shown to me was bigger but the TV wasn't working. The next one a floor down was smaller but still bigger than average rooms in a typical hotel. Neutral fabrics abound, minimalist style and clean lines throughout. The floor lamp didn't have a lightbulb in it. There is also a matching style half-galley kitchen so it's suitable for longer stays if one wishes to cook a basic meal. Somehow I expected plasma TV and WIFI. No such luck even in a new , hip hotel that seems poised to attract the savvy biz travelers and visitors. There is a dedicated phone jack for those who want to connect to the internet via a dial-up connection but who wants to do that these days? It turns out that Ansen Suites is a sister establishment of Granga Beach Club in Turkbuku. I wonder if it has anything to so with Suite which is the beach club that repaced Granga in 2006. BTW, Turkish/English breakfast is included. You can even have a combo of the two. It was actually good.

Unique Quality: Circular stairs leading to each floor is charming since it evokes another era. Large rooms/bathrooms. down comforters. Kitchen counter with a small stove (didn't use it so I don't know if it's gas or electric) if you need it. Street views. No pool. No gym. Average (negotiated) price per double room is US$120 at low season in summer 2005.

Directions: near Pera Palas, Tepabasi, Tunel in Taxim