On my last trip to Istanbul, I fell hard for the new Bosphorus-facing Peninsula hotel in Karaköy, returned to some of my all-time favorite shops (and made new additions to that list—don’t miss Madame Malachite in Bebek) and chatted with Verda Alaton, the stylish founder of jewelry brand Tohum, who shared her picks for museums, restaurants and where to go for a dose of nature.
Melissa's Picks
My City: Istanbul with Jewelry Designer Verda Alaton
Jewelry designer Verda Alaton shares her Istanbul inspiration and favorites, including the best restaurants, shops and hotels.
Madame Malachite
Founded in 2016, Madame Malachite originally focused her designs on the ikat pattern but has since expanded her housewares and luxurious leather goods collections to feature other Ottoman motifs like the evil eye. This lovely shop, in a residential space in Bebek, displays her signature leather catch-alls, decorative boxes and trays, photo frames and game trays, and the popular Bibliotheque Bookstand, many of which are hallmarked with a tiny malachite stud.
The Peninsula Istanbul
The Peninsula Istanbul mirrors the city's distinctive energy—reverence to the storied past with commitment to the modern future.
Ottoamano
This small, two-story shop in the Grand Bazaar sells the softest and highest quality cashmere scarves and pashminas in the city.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet
The most prestigious address in Istanbul's Old City is without a doubt the 65-room Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet.
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