Casa Lavanda Hotel & Spa, +12

Casa Lavanda Hotel & Restaurant is an alluring getaway from Istanbul that offers majestic scenery, indulge-worthy food, and seclusion from all that you want to get away from. Tucked away in the tiny village of Ulupelit 45 minutes away from Istanbul, Casa Lavanda is a family-owned haven where 13 cozy rooms await city dwellers, embellished with a country house atmosphere, the comfort of your own home, and expansive views. This family-owned hotel serves to complement the busy Istanbul life, allowing Istanbulites to wind down, relax, and master the art of doing nothing. The hotel is complete with uniquely designed rooms, a state-of-the-art restaurant, a heavenly spa, and the breathtaking beauty of nature. The best way to enjoy the hotel is to go there on a near-empty stomach and indulge in the refined Mediterranean cuisine of the restaurant. The restaurant is ideal both during winter and summer – you can enjoy your food at the indoor dining area by the fireplace when it’s cold or by the garden during warmer months.​ A tasting as well as an a la carte menu is on offer, with a wide selection of delicious dishes (starters, salads, pasta & risotto, and main courses), such as mushroom and chestnut soup, lamb chops with pistachio and wild mushroom risotto, and sword fish with cauliflower puree and sautéed Swiss chard.​ One of the reasons why all the dishes at Casa Lavanda are so delicious is that only the best ingredients are used. The Black Trumpet Mushroom is picked in Ulupelit village, chestnuts come from Zonguldak, artichokes make their way from Çeşme, and foie gras comes all the way from France. Chef Emre Şen even has a spice garden where he grows basil, rosemary, tarragon, and a variety of other spices.