The Bank Hotel Istanbul

The Bank Hotel Istanbul is housed in a building put up in 1876 on Banks Street (Bankalar Caddesi), the former Voyvoda Street, in the heart of Karaköy. The building was home in turn to Crédit Général Ottoman, Deutsche Bank and Sümerbank. The hotel keeps the memory of the bank right down to its meeting rooms, set in the old vaults.

Banks Street

Voyvoda Street played a central role in the life of Galata: it followed the walls of the Genoese city, and in the 19th century it became the financial and commercial centre of the Ottoman Empire, the street of goldsmiths and bankers. The traveller Evliya Çelebi gave it its name in the 17th century, after the residence of the voivode, the official in charge of public order in Galata.

The hotel building is the only one by the Italian architect Antoine Tedeschi, who ran a practice in Pera: a Neo-Renaissance façade typical of 19th-century eclecticism. The hotel actually joins two buildings, the Sümerbank building and the Cemaathane, the former community centre of the Neve Shalom congregation. The Yılmaz Ulusoy group bought them in 2010 and entrusted them to the architect Han Tümertekin, who restored them while preserving their original state. The warm-toned interiors are by Sinan Kafadar.

The rooms

Every room keeps features of the building: ornate ceilings, parquet floors, original radiators. The rooms table details the main ones.

The Classic King Room, the entry-level room, is enough for a couple on a short stay. To enjoy the scale of the building, the Deluxe King Room usually has large windows and five-metre ceilings, and sleeps three. For a longer stay, the Deluxe Duplex King Room has its own equipped kitchen, and the Executive Suite a living room with a historic fireplace.

Bath products are by L'Occitane. The hotel points out that amenities may vary from room to room, owing to the historic structure of the building.

Hammam, rooftop and restaurants

The spa has a traditional white marble hammam, a sauna, a steam room, three treatment rooms including one for couples, and a fitness centre; treatments are by appointment. On the roof, The Bank Roof Bar overlooks Karaköy. The Lobby Bar & Restaurant and Serica restaurant complete the offer. See also our boutique hotels page.

Location

The hotel stands on Banks Street in Karaköy, between the Galataport waterfront and Galata Tower, in the Pera, Galata and Golden Horn area. The old city lies across the Galata Bridge. Istanbul Airport (IST) is about an hour's drive away without traffic.

Rates

In October 2026, for two nights from 1 to 3 June 2027, the cheapest room was offered at €230 a night for two adults, €460 for the stay, room only and non-refundable, including taxes and fees.

Sabaro's view

For whom: couples who love architecture and want a character hotel at a reasonable price, in the heart of lively Galata.

Strengths: the 1876 building and its volumes; the marble hammam; the rooftop bar; a Google rating of 4.5 out of 5; the lowest rates in our Galata selection.

Good to know: the Classic King Room is only 20 m²; the Deluxe King, with its five-metre ceilings, is the better choice. For a Bosphorus view, see Georges Hotel Galata.