Royal Tophane: Our Experience in the Middle of Karaköy

If I asked my children what comes to mind first about the Royal Tophane, the answer would probably be: THE MAISONETTE! 😂

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Our honest experience at the Royal Tophane in Karaköy: special maisonette accommodation, a top location near Galataport – but the street is alive until evening.

We had an accommodation on two levels there, and for children something like that is of course immediately: OMG. A staircase in their own room? Two levels? That's suddenly not a normal hotel room any more.

The Room: Exactly Why Royal Tophane Stuck in My Mind

We had a maisonette accommodation that was very spacious and special. And I otherwise often know rooms like that from hotels where the prices immediately jump into a completely different league.

At the Royal Tophane we had this special feeling of space without my feeling that we were now paying ten times as much just because of the staircase.

The hotel currently offers various larger room categories, including family suites and connecting rooms.

The Location: Really IN THE MIDDLE of Things

The Royal Tophane is at: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Mumhane Caddesi No:55, Beyoğlu. So in the middle of the Karaköy/Tophane area.

And when I say “middle”, I mean: you step outside and you're immediately in it. Restaurants. Bars. Cafés. Small shops. Karaköy. Galataport. Water. Galata not far away.

Galataport and the Waterfront

For me Galataport has become a little programme item of its own. You can eat there. Drink coffee. Shop. Stroll. Watch ships. Simply sit by the water.

BUT: The Street Is Alive

And now comes the point I'd definitely write honestly. It is not quiet.

The area is alive. In the evening you can hear music. People are out and about. Bars and restaurants are working.

Honestly, it didn't really bother us. But: if someone says “I need absolute quiet from 9 pm or I can't sleep”, then I wouldn't automatically recommend the Royal Tophane.

That's Exactly Why I Wouldn't Simply Call It “Loud”

Because “loud” immediately sounds only negative. For me it's rather: lively.

Do you want lively? Or do you want quiet? If you want to stay in the middle of Karaköy, you have to accept that Karaköy doesn't roll up the pavements at 8 pm. 😂

The Breakfast: Good – but the Room Too Small

The hotel offers breakfast. Taste-wise we thought it was good. But the breakfast room was, in our feeling, too small for the number of guests. When many came at the same time, it got tight.

What Does the Hotel Itself Say Currently?

• City view
• Proximity to historic sights
• Shopping around Karaköy and İstiklal
• Metro/public transport nearby
• various room categories

Who Does Royal Tophane Suit?

• love Karaköy
• want to be right in the middle of things
• want to reach Galataport quickly
• like restaurants and cafés on the doorstep
• are looking for a special room
• and have no problem with urban nightlife

Couples? Absolutely. Friends? Yes. Families? Of course. The hotel is not “a family hotel”. It is simply a central accommodation that, depending on the room, can work for very different travellers.

And if you want to eat right in Karaköy: our own tips are in our food guide to Karaköy & Galata.

Not sure yet whether the area suits you? Which neighbourhood in Istanbul suits your trip?

Would I Book Again?

Yes. But deliberately. If I say: “This time I want Karaköy, Galataport and all this life right on the doorstep”, then yes.

We stayed here ourselves. Prices and room categories can change – please check current information before booking.

If you would like to look at the rooms, location and current prices of Royal Tophane yourself, you can check availability here.

– Amra