Who's Going
Agatha Christie, Greta Garbo, Mata Hari, Sandra Bernhardt
Reason to Stay
Historic Hotel, Central Location, Luxury Spa
Hotel Type
Luxury Hotel
When the Orient Express chose Istanbul as its most-eastern stopping point in the 19th Century, Pera Palace was erected to host guest's in-between their return trips back to the west. Built in 1892 and entirely refurbished in 2010 to the note of $30-million this grand Ottoman hotel palace exudes the elegance of grand dame hotels like Paris's Ritz and NY's Plaza. A streetside portico walking distance to Istiklal Caddessi leads to a towering entrance lobby rising 40-feet in herringbone wood floors, walls of striped-marble detailing and crystal chandelier.
Named after Agatha Christie who penned portions of Murder on the Orient Express within the hotel, The Agatha Restaurant is a celebration of French, Italian and Turkish cuisine representing the three major stops of the Orient Express - Paris, Venice and Istanbul. Oriental Bar has been re-conceived in a rather muted, somewhat lackluster, design of period stain-glass windows amongst a mirrored bar and lounge with ornate upholstered chairs. The in-house spa features a 4,000-sq. ft. space of steam bath, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and indoor swimming pool.
The Room
A traditional luxury hotel with center atrium design wraps-around pristine hallways with glossy white doors leading to a series of entry-level rooms and suites. A stately sensibility reigns throughout with the type of design that might suit guests from 1892 better than those of 2011 and beyond. Luxury details like refinished hardwood floors with Turkish carpets, marble bathroom and step-out French balconies with views of "des Petit Champs". Larger named suites like the Greta Garbo and Agatha Christie offer better views of Tepebasi, marble bathroom with soaking tub and more views, and tempered artwork that’s more likely to lull one to sleep than wow with artistic pedigree or names.
Preferred Room
Hemmingway Suite
Special Features
Historic Location, Luxury Spa, Gourmet Eatery
Amenities
Lobby Lounge, Bar, Restaurant, Spa, Historic Building
