Tuesday 16 July 2013

Legends and luxury in the Pera Palace Hotel, Istanbul

The Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul has been built in 1892. It was the first public building in the Ottoman Empire that had electricity. The main target customers for the hotel were the people travelling on the Orient Express. They were picked up by hotel staff at the Sirkeci train station and carried to the hotel in a special designed chair. A picture of the chair is available below.

One of the celebrity guests was Ataturk, the founder of Turkey. Rumours or legends say that he had an affair with Zsa Zsa Gabor in the Pera Palace Hotel. Most famous guests were British and the list is long. Ernest Hemingway wrote a book while staying in this hotel, others were Alfred Hitchcock, Queen Elizabeth II and several other members of Royal families.

The hotel has been completely restored by the Jumeirah Group which owns many exclusive five star hotels. The restaurant is named Agatha after Agatha Christie who was a regular guest. We were impressed with the staircase, the elevator which is the oldest in Turkey and most important the design and furniture. To our surprise there were many guests, most of them rather young. Staying in the Pera Palace Hotel is not cheap.

Het Pera Palace Hotel in Istanboel werd gebouwd in 1892. Het is het eerste gebouw open tot de bevolking dat voorzien was van elektriciteit. De klanten doelgroep voor het hotel waren reizigers van de Orient Express. Ze werden door hotelpersoneel aan het Sirkeci station opgehaald in een speciaal ontworpen draagstoel. Een foto kan je hieronder zien.

Een van de beroemde gasten was Ataturk, de oprichter van Turkije. De geruchtenmolen of legendes verwijzen naar een affaire tussen hem en Zsa Zsa Gabor in het hotel. De meeste gasten waren Brits en de lijst van beroemdheden is lang. Ernest Hemingway schreef hier een boek, Alfred Hitchcock, Koningin Elizabeth II en verschillende leden van Koninklijke families waren er gasten. 

Het hotel werd volledig gerenoveerd door de Jumeirah groep die vele exclusieve vijf sterren hotels bezit. Het restaurant Agatha werd vernoemd naar Agatha Christie die een frequente klant was. We waren onder de indruk van de trappenhal, de oudste lift van Turkije, en het adembenemende interieur en meubilair. Tot onze verrassing waren er vele gasten, de meeste jong. Het is nochtans niet goedkoop hier te logeren.. 
 
Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul

Previous Istanbul article: Rustem Pasa Mosque with its rare Iznik tiles, Istanbul

Previous Hotel article: Ciragan Palace became a Kempinski five star hotel, Istanbul

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10 comments:

  1. I like the dessert stand

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  2. This hotel really looks old and style (and beautiful).
    I wouln't know how to be there :D
    Hugs

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  3. The pink stained glass is very nice. The whole feeling I get is old royalty.

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  4. pracht en praal en lekkere taartjes
    het brandglas, daar val ik voor :-)

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  5. Looks a lovely hotel.
    I like the pink stained glass.

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  6. Soft gentle lighting makes the place look very elegant.

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  7. such intricate interior, looks very lovely

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  8. What a fascinating history you have related here. Looks like it is very elegant for over 100 years old. ( young in european standards) Great post!

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  9. mooi de gietijzeren hekjes. Groetjes Dietmut

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  10. By the way, I love that old telephone booth. What a great antique!

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