A peaceful, calm and simple vacation alone with nature awaits for you at CASA LAVANDA Boutique Hotel in Ulupelit village in Şile, just 45 minutes away from Istanbul. Here, where greenery plays with architecture and the trills of songbirds can be heard, you will experience a mesmerizing atmosphere of hospitality and make unforgettable memories.
In 2009, Feryal and Ahmet Şen, along with their sons Chef Emre and host extraordinaire Ekin, opened CASA LAVANDA, a place for family and friends to discover the joy that comes from being in touch with the flow of nature.
Back in 1992, hand in hand, stone by stone, the Sen family began building a home for their family to live in. They designed every piece of furniture and interior, planted thousands of trees and let their dream become a reality. Thus on 21 acres of gardens came this charming place that is a must-see.
As the creators themselves say — “here life slows down to a blissful sigh” — and it’s true. Once here, you feel the peaceful charm of this place and complete unity with nature.
LAVANDA STAY
CASA LAVANDA offers 15 artfully decorated rooms with unique individual charm and stunning views of forests, mountains and lush gardens.
All rooms are named after a tree:
Orkide (Orchid), Manolya (Magnolia), Ortanca (Hydrangea), Sığla (Sweetgum), Sedir (Cedar), Erguvan (Redbud), Ihlamur (Linden), Söğüt (Willow), Meşe (Oak), Kayın (Beech), Ardıç (Juniper), Servi (Cypress), Ladin (Spruce), Defne (Laurel), Akasya (Acacia), and Lavanta (Lavender).
Feryal drew on her Fine Arts degree and 26-year career in ceramics to design all furniture and fittings, working with local carpenters to create bespoke pieces, while Ahmet sourced the handcrafted textiles, giving each room its own unique rustic look and homely charm.
All rooms have a Nespresso coffee machine, tea facilities, a shower or Jacuzzi, all bath amenities and perfumes from the famous Molton Brown brand, and their own thoughtful little details that set one room apart from another.
We stayed in a stunning Orkide (Orchid) room, one of the biggest at the hotel, with a magnificent view of the mountains, forest and pond, which we admired while sitting on the French balcony with a cup of aromatic Turkish coffee. And in the evening, nestled near the fireplace, it was so nice to relax and take stock of the day.
LOCAL FLAVORS & GARDEN TREATS
Starting your day with a great healthy breakfast — what could be better? And we don’t deviate from this rule either.
Lavanta restaurant serves sumptuous breakfasts with a wide variety of local appetizers, cheese & meat, vegetables, honey & homemade jams, bread and drinks.
Also you can order an Egg dish of your choice.
Most of the products come from owners’ own 2,000 square meter biodynamic farm and also artisan delights sourced from farmers of Şile, foragers, and friends.
And in the evening Lavanta turns into a fine dining restaurant, we enjoyed exquisite Mediterranean cuisine from Chef Emre Şen, who himself personally told us the gastronomic story behind each dish.
Emre studied architecture in Italy, but was drawn to gastronomy by the call of his heart and trained at the Academy of Culinary Arts. His experience in Italy instilled a love for Mediterranean cuisine, which he lovingly presents to his guests, bringing his passion and joy to it.
Every bite on the menu reflects the love and care that has been put into it. In addition to his farm products, the rest is sourced seasonally from local farmers: wild mushrooms from Ulupelit, seafood from Derya Balık, award-winning olive oil from Edremit, corn flour, artisan cheeses, duck and quail eggs from Şile Operacı Farm and much more.
We went through a Tasting Menu experience, which began with appetizers:
-Homegrown Beetroot & Goat Cheese (Wild Arugula, Basil, Cherry Tomatoes)
-Flame Seared Mackarel
(Home Grown Fresh Herbs, Satsuma Tangerine, Mustard Seeds, Pine Nut, Saffron Aioli)
The next course was presented by soup:
-Truffle Scented Zonguldak “Kuzu” Chestnut Soup Morel Mushroom, served with milky brioche
And of course pasta is a must in Mediterranean cuisine:
-Agnolotti — a handmade Piemonte style pasta variety (Filled with Burrata & Mascarpone, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes)
For the main course:
-Slow Roasted Baby Goat
(“Dövme Keskek — a traditional long cooked wheat dish, Chickpea, Fig-Plum “Sizma”
Followed by the cheese platter:
-Artisan Cheese Selection
(From Producers: Tangala, Gemedere, Miralem; Ripened at Casa Lavanda, Honeycomb from Sivas, Kösedag)
And at the end, we were served a sumptuous dessert:
-Fig Leaf Ice Cream
(Roasted Almond, Sea Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
A special wine pairing was offered as a wine accompaniment.
Tasting Menu — 2900TL
6 Glasses Wine Pairing — 2100TL
In the daytime, or after dinner, it’s so lovely to seat and relax in the lounge with bar and fireplace. It creates a feeling of a big living room filled with warmth and welcoming.
DARPHIN SPA
And to make your stay at CASA LAVANDA even more unforgettable, immerse yourself in a world of plants, aromas and professional treatment for your body in the absolutely fabulous spa center with sauna and forest views.
From anti-ageing thermo amino facial peels to hydrating full body massages, Shiatsu to Balinese Massage, dedicated men’s treatments to body polishes and wraps. Every spa experience at CASA LAVANDA draws from a harmonious blend of plants and pure essential oils from the Darphin brand.
Darphin have revolutionised the beauty industry for more than 60 years with their pioneering ‘whole body’ approach and philosophy of precision. Natural botanicals are incorporated into each product to preserve potency and integrity, and each product is aligned with a specific massage technique to enhance its skin-sculpting benefits.
We tested out the full body massage and we have to admit that the results were awesome — rejuvenated healthier-looking skin and a happier, more relaxed you.
Address: Ulupelit Köyü, Seçilmiş Sk. No.2, Şile – İstanbul
Instagram: @casalavanda
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
