Pera Palace Hotel, Turkey’s oldest European hotel, is steeped in history and full of old world character and charm.
Opened in 1892, the Pera Palace was a glamorous destination for the passengers of the Orient Express. Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express while staying at the belle epoque hotel and other legendary guests have included Ernest Hemingway, Greta Garbo, Mata Hari, Sarah Bernhardt and Alfred Hitchcock.
Pera Palace Hotel also has ‘museum hotel’ status with dozens of historic artefacts on display, plus the converted Ataturk Museum, paying tribute to the great Turkish leader.
Today, after extensive renovations, Pera Palace Hotel’s legacy lives on, but with all the modern touches that you’d expect from a five-star luxury hotel.
Location
Based in Istanbul’s vibrant Beyoglu district on the European side, the hotel is within walking distance of the neighbourhood’s lively bars and restaurants, the bustling Istiklal Caddesi shopping street and contemporary art galleries, as well as the renowned Pera Museum. Beyoglu was my favourite part of Istanbul and Pera Palace is at the heart of all the action, yet still quiet enough for a relaxing stay.
Arrival
When we arrived, we were greeted warmly and offered a refreshing glass of home-made lemonade as we checked in. The ornate marble lobby is grand and stately yet welcoming.
The Room
Our Deluxe Golden Horn King Room was elegant and full of character with antique furniture and beautiful furnishing in muted colours. The traditional Turkish rug and silk chaise-longue gave it a homely feel.
Room features include a widescreen interactive HD LCD TV, iPod docking station, full-size writing desk, minibar, free wifi and a Nespresso machine and tea making facilities. It was lovely to be able to have a hot drink in the room after a long day of exploring and we were also given complimentary bottled water at turndown.
The king-size bed was heavenly and covered in crisp linen with luxurious embroidered pillows. I had some connectivity issues with the wifi on my tablet, but the hotel kindly gave me a laptop to use for the duration of our two-night stay.
The highlight of the room is the fabulous private balcony offering stunning views over the Golden Horn. There is a small marble table and chairs, so you can soak up the Istanbul sun in the warmer months or marvel at a glorious sunset with a glass of Champagne and baklava.
A Welcome Treat
I was delighted to find a welcome platter of baklava and fresh strawberries waiting for us in the room, which we grazed on while admiring the view from our balcony. The baklava was of the finest quality and set a high standard as the first of many more to come on our foodie tour of Istanbul.
The Bathroom
The white Carrara marble bathroom was petite yet luxurious with a beautiful walk-in shower (complete with a marble bench to sit on), Pure Herbs bathroom amenities, luxurious monogrammed towels and sumptuous embroidered bathrobes and slippers.
There is a decorative tinted glass window between the bedroom and the bathroom, allowing in plenty of natural light. It can be a little transparent at times, but it doesn’t feel too intrusive.
For the ultimate indulgence, Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah offers signature suites such as the Pierre Loti Suite, Ernest Hemingway Suite, Greta Garbo Corner Room and Agatha Christie King Room.
Breakfast
In the morning, breakfast is served in Agatha Restaurant with hot dishes made to order and a bountiful breakfast buffet. Guests can start the day with a traditional Turkish breakfast, eggs cooked any style, pastries, yoghurt, cereal and fruits. I loved the freshly-made waffles and fluffy pancakes served with maple syrup or chocolate spread.
For lunch and dinner, Agatha Restaurant offers a fusion of French, Italian and Turkish cuisine, inspired by three of the most famous stops on the Orient Express.
Afternoon Tea
During our stay, we couldn’t resist treating ourselves to afternoon tea in the Kubbeli Saloon Tea Lounge. We started with a selection of sandwiches and savouries and fine teas served in silver teapots. The centre table was laden with so many exquisite cakes, sweets and biscuits that it was impossible to try all of them.
We grazed leisurely while a pianist serenaded us with classical and popular pieces – a perfect first afternoon in Istanbul. As we visited during a religious holiday, it was rather quiet (giving us unbridled access to the cakes), but I imagine it’s a real hotspot for a refined afternoon tea.
Patisserie de Pera
As if there weren’t enough cakes already in the Kubbeli Saloon Tea Lounge, more sweet delights can be found at the hotel’s Patisserie de Pera, a dreamy pink tea salon designed by Anouska Hempel. The counter is filled with the most tempting cakes, macarons and pastries, served by staff wearing pretty powder pink dresses. There is also an outlet of Patisserie de Pera inside Brandroom, a hip department store in the chic Nisantasi shopping district.
The Orient Bar
The Orient Bar is a seductive, opulent place to have a cocktail at night and in the summer months, the Orient Terrace is the place to enjoy sultry evenings over an al fresco meal or sundowner drinks.
Swimming Pool and Spa
To unwind from a day of sightseeing (and cake eating), guests can relax in the tranquil spa with its jet streamed swimming pool, Turkish hammam and fully-equipped gym.
Pera Palace Hotel is a rare cultural gem where you can lose yourself in the stories of its glorious past. With friendly staff and attention to small details, it’s one of the most luxurious, memorable ways to experience magnificent Istanbul.
For more information and booking, visit: www.perapalace.com
Chérie City was invited by Pera Palace Hotel
Photos by Chérie City and Pera Palace Hotel
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