One of the most exciting cities in the world, Istanbul is a dynamic destination with many sights, activities, and events to attract upscale travellers with a wide variety of interests.  The city is certainly not short of luxurious accommodation, having many five-star properties throughout its expansive area.  None of them, however, can compare to Ciragan Palace Kempinski, the grandest of them all.  A former palace with a waterfront location, the peerless Ciragan Palace is the last word in Istanbul glamour, style, service, elegance, and location.  A favourite of visiting dignitaries, film stars, and singers in town for their concerts, Ciragan Palace caters to the needs of its guests with a gracious ease that makes every one of them feel like a VIP.

Firstly, there are the buildings themselves.  The hotel’s Palace Suites are among the most coveted accommodations in Istanbul.  Located in the original palace building, the Palace Suites maintain a traditional style in decor as befits the architectural richness of the exterior.  Rooms and suites in the more modern main building have recently been renovated, creating chic private environments incorporating clever touches of historical significance into the contemporary design elements.  Even the most basic room categories are spacious; the suites range from even more spacious to enormous.

Although most first-time tourists flock to the Sultanahmet district, where the most famous of Istanbul’s attractions are found, Sultanahmet lacks the waterside accommodation that many people seek in a city where water has been central to its existence for thousands of years.  Indeed, the views of the Bosphorous Strait from Ciragan Palace’s rooms and suites are enjoyable for people watching the boats, yachts, and ships gliding by.  The famous Bosphorus Bridge connecting Istanbul’s European and Asian sides, the wedding cake beauty of the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, and the city’s vast expanse in general all provide further diversity in the panorama.

Despite the hotel’s proximity to major attractions north of the Golden Horn such as Dolmabahce Palace, Yildiz Palace, the Maritime Museum, the National Painting Museum, and the new Istanbul Museum of Contemporary Art, some guests at Ciragan Palace Kempinski choose to spend as much time in the hotel as possible, enjoying the privilege of staying and dining in such an opulent establishment.  As anyone who has ever visited Türkiye knows, Turkish cuisine is one of the best in the world.  Here at Ciragan Palace, dining experiences reach their apogee as exquisite dishes are served in beautiful venues such as the fine dining restaurant Tugra, where the Bosphorus views, understated decor, and excellence of service together create memorable experiences.  Less formal but no less delectable is the afternoon tea in Gazebo, an atrium restaurant where classic afternoon tea takes on a Turkish twist in a bright and airy venue where smiles on famous faces are just as wide as those of the other guests.  Smiles are also seen at breakfast, where a cornucopia of excellent food and drinks is available, including special blend Turkish coffee and an entire table of the pastries and other sweets for which Türkiye is famous.  Starting the day with such delicious food, in such a sublime venue, in such a superb hotel, anything else that comes later can be considered a bonus.  As a counterbalance to end the day with similar cachet, attendance at the Galata Mevlevi House Museum’s mevlevi sema ceremony, more commonly known as the whirling dervish ceremony, in the newly refurbished hall just a short ride away from Ciragan Palace will reinforce the feeling of Istanbul as a place like no other in the world, just like Ciragan Palace.

By Robert La Bua – Global Travel Connoisseur

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