HOTEL: The Galata Istanbul MGallery by Sofitel
Picking a hotel always leaves me feeling extremely nervous. Even once I've booked one I'm constantly second-guessing if I've picked the right one, am I in a good area, and could I have found a better-suited hotel for me? I felt really satisfied with my decision this time though. When I arrived outside the hotel and saw the red carpet at the entrance, my face lit up. "They've brought the carpet out for my arrival ah I'm a superstar." Turns out the carpet is always there but it was definitely a welcomed touch!
Based in the Karaköy district, the MGallery is relatively new. Even though it is just over a year old the venue has lived a full life. In order to open up an MGallery, there must be history behind the building. Back in the day the venue was an Italian bank - If you look behind the reception desk you can see deposit boxes, it really adds flavour. *If it's not seasoned I'm not impressed* Also, the lounge area houses a bar serving everything from hot drinks to cocktails.
“The first thing I noticed was the dark brown wooden shutters and I developed an unhealthy infatuation with the bathroom”
The spa offers lots of treatments, English prices of course though. But you could be swayed as the Turkish hammam dates back to more than 300 years giving you an authentic experience. Certain packages also give you access to the sauna and steam room. Plus in the spa's chill-out area, you get complimentary tea and snacks. *I love complimentary stuff*
Rooms
This boutique hotel has 83 rooms spread out across 4 floors and not once did I see anyone on my floor. I love feeling like I'm the only guest at the hotel, and I was very much made to feel like that throughout my stay. Staff were smiley and always happy to assist and it all felt genuine.
I originally stayed in the deluxe king room and fell in love with the room's decor. It wasn't loud, the colours were neutral and it had a real warming flare. The first thing I noticed was the dark brown wooden shutters and I developed an unhealthy infatuation with the bathroom - Especially the tiles! As soon as I was introduced to the bed I was a goner, to the point that I woke up frazzled hours later and had to order room service. The only thing missing for me was a bathtub. Saying that though the shower was doing bits. Talking about water, bottled water was delivered to my room every morning without fail, in addition to all rooms having a minibar. The suites also have champagne in them. *Inserts Nigerian voice "Hayyyy" if you cannot afford it don't touch it!*
The rooms on the higher floors have the best views of the city and many rooms come with balconies. Forfeit a balcony for the breathtaking ceiling detail on the second floor. Plus there's a hidden game-changer on that floor too - the cutest ever 2 level suite. Downstairs it has a living room with a toilet and upstairs the king-sized bed and master bathroom. I spent my last night lying in bed with cake planning how I could get away with moving permanently into this suite.
I'm usually indifferent to the complimentary shower gel and bits in the bathroom because they usually feel basic but don't sleep on MGallery's products. The body lotion had me feeling like I was in an advert and shock horror the hair conditioner actually hydrated my hair.
*I could write a blog post about hair products in hotels and roll my eyes from here to Australia but raaar they really hooked my afro up.*
Nightlife
From 5 pm the hotel opens up its rooftop bar on the second floor. The Anton Pernan bar brings in the 18-30-year-old quirky Turkish crowd and gives you the opportunity to meet and vibes with locals. I was initially thinking the daily parties going on until 2/3 a.m would mess up my sleep, but once your room door is shut you can't hear a thing. The hotel takes soundproofing to a whole different level. Also, people attending the bar use a difference entrance and exit.
The music genre changes each night. On Tuesday's they play Electronic music, not my style at all, but I loosened up because the vibe was so contagious. As someone who doesn't drink alcohol anymore a good vibe is everything because I can't drown a dead vibe out with tequila shots! And on Wednesday's they play Rnb and Hip Hop. Don't get too excited though I'm talking your Destiny's Child and Sean Paul with Kainrow tunes! MGallery book me to DJ and bring the good-good up to date tunes. #Bookme#Shootyourshot
Food
The food hit the spot. All food matters go down in the Civarda Peran restaurant, open from 6.30 am to 11 pm and serving up both traditional Turkish and worldwide dishes. Breakfast was a banquet. Everything I wanted and didn't know I wanted was there. As someone who doesn't eat pork or cheese, I have always found securing fillinf breakfast in Europe to be so difficult but tings were gwarnin for me.
I felt like a kid at a candy store. Lentil soup there. Waffles made fresh. Omelette with all the trimmings. Turkey sausages without the plastic taste. Fresh fruit galore... I could go on and on but the big exclamation mark moment was... Drum roll ... the unlimited freshly squeezed orange juice.
Laziness is not going to cost you your taste buds, plus it's also not going to create a hole in your pocket. Room service offers a variety of options. I ordered meatballs and rice and chips. Turkish meatballs and English meatballs are two different sizes. No no no, I didn't get the round spaghetti meatballs, I was delivered mini-burgers without the bun, and 4 of them! I couldn't finish all the "meat mega-balls" so ended up eating the rest at 3 am in the morning whilst half asleep. You can have 99 problems but going hungry in MGallery isn't going to be one! I knew that MGallery and I would have matched on Tinder when they brought me, as standard, 3 different types of seasoning next to my food!
Small small tips
Avoid rooms that give you views of the main road. I felt like I was in a horror film because of the abandoned building I saw staring back at me out of the window. If you don't want to be disturbed make sure you put your Do not Disturb sign on the door because staff are really punctual and quick to enter your room and clean.
Wrap Up
I strongly suggest staying at this luxury hotel and I would happily return to Istanbul and without a second thought book this hotel again. It aligns with the respectable Sofitel brand but it's very much its own hotel. You are so close to so many staple places, but you're also not overwhelmed by being on their doorstep. The Galata tower is a 7-minute walk away, and the old town is 4 tram stops away. I was in a lavish establishment and I felt like I belonged there, and when I travel this isn't always the case.
The nightlife in the hotel attracts a younger audience, but I really can't put an age range on who this hotel is for because there is enough to satisfy everyone who walks through their doors.
