Elegantly furnished guestrooms
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Pera Palace Hotel
Turkey › Istanbul › Istanbul (Tepebasi)
Istanbul's original Grand Hotel, built in 1892 for passengers on the Orient Express, reopens in 2010 following a comprehensive yet sympathetic renovation.
- Historic Hotel with 115 guestrooms
- Bed & Breakfast
- Air-conditioning
- Transfers included
- Spa with indoor jet-stream pool, sauna, steamroom, gym (local charges apply)
Following a painstaking, multi-million pound restoration, the historic Pera Palace Hotel is due to reopen on 1st September 2010, and Cachet Travel are delighted to be able to offer their clients the opportunity to experience the renaissance of this true legend. Originally opened in 1892 by the owners of the Orient Express to provide suitably grand accommodation for their discerning passengers at the train's easternmost terminus, the Pera Palace quickly became established not only as Istanbul's finest hotel, but also as the place to be seen for members of the city's high society, who would chatter in the Patisserie de Pera over coffee and cakes, discuss the day's events in the elegant Orient Bar, marvel at technological advances such as the ornate electric elevator, and celebrate in the opulent high-ceilinged ballrooms. From its vantage point overlooking the Golden Horn, the Pera Palace witnessed the decline of the Ottoman Empire, the birth of the Turkish Republic and a whole host of cultural, economic and political changes. The hotel's own history has been turbulent at times, and by the turn of the millennium, its grandeur started to have a distinctly faded feel. Determined to return this beloved institution to its former glory, the hotel's new owners embarked on a remarkable restoration programme in 2006, upgrading the accommodation to the latest level of luxury whilst fully respecting the artistic vision of the original architect, Alexander Vallaury, who had successfully blended art deco, art nouveau and oriental styles to create a haven of timeless elegance.
Over the years, the Pera Palace has hosted statesmen such as King Edward VIII and Kaiser Wilhelm II, eminent writers including Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway and some of the entertainment world's most glamourous stars, amongst them Greta Garbo, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Maria Callas. Perhaps the hotel's most prominent - and regular - guests was Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic, whose favourite room, Number 101, has been turned into a unique museum. The remaining 115 guestrooms retain plenty of nostalgic charm, but have been thoroughly updated to provide all the modern amenities and creature comforts expected by today's travellers. Deluxe Pera View Rooms are spacious (25-30 sqm), offering a choice of twin beds or kingsize doubles, and all have splendid marble bathrooms (with either showers or bathtubs) which receive natural light from the bedroom through feature glass artwork. Deluxe Golden Horn View Rooms can be requested at a supplement.
Equal attention to detail has been evident in the restoration of the hotel's eateries and watering holes. The "Agatha" restaurant serves an extensive buffet breakfast as well a refined à la carte menu of French, Italian and Turkish cuisine for lunch and dinner, reflecting the main stops of the original Orient Express railway. The Kubbeli Saloon and Tea Lounge, together with the aforementioned Patisserie de Pera and Orient Bar, provide further venues in which to mingle with fellow hotel guests and locals alike. Given the gastronomic delights on offer, it is reassuring to know that the hotel's new 380 sqm Spa complex comprises a fully equipped gym as well as a sauna, a steam room, a jacuzzi and a jet stream pool. For those keen on relaxation after a day spent exploring the sights and sounds of this vibrant city, a range of messages and face and body treatments is on offer.
Steeped in thousands of years of history and straddling the divide between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the world's most fascinating cities, and it would be hard to think of a more atmospheric base from which to experience all that the city has to offer than this legendary hotel.