History and heritage of a legendary hotel on the Bosphorus
Distance:
5 minutes to Taksim Square
10 minutes to Galata Tower
15 minutes to the Bosphorus
20 minutes to Sultanahmet district
The legendary Pera Palace Hotel is not just a hotel, but a true museum of Istanbul's history and a living legend of hospitality that opened its doors in 1892 to passengers of the famous Orient Express.
Located in the historic Beyoğlu district, this luxurious hotel combines grand Ottoman architecture, Art Deco elegance and modern comfort. Every corner of the building is steeped in history and preserves the memory of distinguished guests.
Pera Palace's construction history: The birth of a legendary hotel
At the end of the 19th century, when the legendary Orient Express began running regularly between Paris and Constantinople, there was an urgent need for a European-level hotel for wealthy travellers. The Wagon-Lits company, which operated the Orient Express, commissioned the outstanding architect Alexandre Vallauris to build the hotel. A Frenchman of Levantine origin, Vallori was known for his work in the style of late Ottoman architecture with elements of neoclassicism.
Construction began in 1892 and lasted for two years. The most advanced technologies of the time were used to erect the building. The steel frame was manufactured in Germany and delivered by sea to Istanbul. Special attention was paid to fire safety - all ceilings were made of non-combustible materials. The hotel was the first building in the Ottoman Empire to use electricity, and Turkey's first electric lift was installed and is still in operation today.
The architecture of Pera Palace is a harmonious combination of several styles: the neoclassicism of the facade is organically intertwined with Art Nouveau elements and oriental motifs. The central part of the building with its six majestic columns and elegant balcony is particularly noteworthy. The façade is decorated with fine mouldings and decorative elements typical of late Ottoman architecture.
The interior is organised around an impressive atrium with a grand marble staircase. The ceiling of the atrium is topped with a glass dome through which natural light floods all six floors of the building. This architectural technique was revolutionary for its time and created a special atmosphere of luxury and spaciousness. The marble staircase leading to the upper floors was made of Carrara marble and decorated with hand-forged handrails.
The hotel was originally owned by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, the same company that operated the Orient Express. In 1923, after the proclamation of the Turkish Republic, the hotel was taken over by the Turkish Pera Palace Hotel Company. The new owners retained the original spirit of the hotel, but carried out extensive modernisation, adding modern amenities while preserving the historic interiors.
Each of the hotel's 115 rooms has its own unique layout and decoration. Of particular note are the historic suites, named in honour of famous guests. They have ceiling heights of up to 4.5 metres and floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the Golden Horn or the historic Pera district. Original furniture, antique artworks and handmade antique carpets create a unique Belle Époque atmosphere.
Between 2008 and 2010, the hotel underwent an extensive €23 million restoration, during which all the historic elements of the building were carefully restored, including unique mouldings and original stained glass windows. Today, Pera Palace is not only a luxury hotel, but is also protected by the state as a cultural heritage site in Turkey.
Famous guests and secrets of Pera Palace Hotel
We've stayed here over the years:
- Agatha Christie, who wrote part of the novel Murder on the Orient Express in Room 411
- Greta Garbo.
- Mata Hari
- Ernest Hemingway
- Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey (his room is now a museum)
Famous for its historic corridors, the Pera Palace Hotel holds numerous stories of secret meetings and unbelievable events. In the early 20th century, the hotel became an unofficial centre of spy intrigue. During the Second World War, diplomats and spies often stayed here - quiet conversations in the luxurious lobby bar often influenced the course of world history. Especially notable is the story of British agent and writer Graham Greene, who wrote his 1957 novel Our Man in Havana in his room.
Royal personages have also chosen Pera Palace as their residence in Istanbul. Emperor Franz Joseph I stayed here during his visit to the Ottoman Empire, and King Edward VIII favoured this hotel during his private travels. Special royal suites were created for them, which have preserved their historical appearance to this day. The gilded furniture, silk tapestries and crystal chandeliers of these rooms remember the whispers of court intrigues and the clinking of glasses at private diplomatic receptions.
The hotel's famous Oriental Hall, Şark Odası, adds a special atmosphere to the hotel. This room, decorated in traditional Ottoman style with rich carpets and carved furniture, was the favourite place of the great opera singer Maria Callas. She often organised chamber concerts here for a select audience, and the acoustics of the hall were considered one of the best in Istanbul at the time. To this day, live classical music can still be heard in the hall during traditional tea parties.
The legendary room 411, where Agatha Christie stayed, is shrouded in mystical history. According to legend, it was here that the writer experienced a mysterious disappearance in 1926, when she disappeared from public view for eleven days. There is a theory that she was staying at Pera Palace during this period, although there is no documentary evidence to support this. Today, the room is one of the most sought-after rooms in the hotel, and there is always a collector's edition of Murder on the Orient Express on the bedside table.
Jacqueline Kennedy also stayed at the hotel when she visited Turkey in 1964. Her appearance caused quite a stir in Istanbul, and the room where she stayed still retains elements of the décor of that era. Particularly noteworthy is the vintage trundle at which, according to the staff, the First Lady spent a lot of time preparing for official receptions. Today this room is known as the Kennedy Suite and is one of the most luxurious in the hotel.
Despite the modern facilities, the hotel rooms retain their historical charm: antique furniture, crystal chandeliers, marble bathrooms and unique art objects create an atmosphere of golden age luxury.
Hemingway at Pera Palace: jazz, whiskey and inspiration
Ernest Hemingway first crossed the threshold of Pera Palace in 1922 while working as a war correspondent for the Toronto Star during the Greco-Turkish War. The legendary writer chose the room overlooking the Golden Horn that now bears his name, the Hemingway Suite. In this spacious corner room with high ceilings and massive velvet curtains, Hemingway created several reports on post-war Istanbul.
The hotel staff still relay stories of Hemingway spending evenings at the famous Orient Bar. The bar, decorated in Art Deco style with dark wood panelling and original 1920s mirrors, was the writer's favourite place. Here he spent hours listening to jazz, sipping his favourite whisky and holding long conversations with local journalists and diplomats. Legend has it that it was at the Orient Bar that Hemingway invented his famous cocktail - a mixture of raki (Turkish anise liqueur) and champagne, which is still served to hotel guests.
In his letters to Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway described the atmosphere of the Pera Palace as "the ideal place for a writer - here history mixes with modernity and East meets West". He was particularly impressed by the hotel's library of rare Ottoman manuscripts, where he spent his mornings working on his articles.
On his last visit in 1938, Hemingway stayed in the same room, but as an established writer. By this time, he had completed his novel "Farewell to Arms!" and some scholars of his work find in his descriptions of war scenes echoes of his Istanbul experiences and conversations at Pera Palace.
Today, Hemingway's room retains his desk, a vintage Underwood typewriter and several of the writer's personal belongings, including his favourite leather document bag. On the walls are black and white photographs of Hemingway at the Orient Bar and copies of his manuscripts created within the hotel walls. Every year on the writer's birthday, the hotel holds a special evening where Hemingway's favourite cocktails are served and excerpts from his works are read.
The famous copper bathtub in the marble bathroom of the room has also been preserved - the same one in which, according to the staff, Hemingway liked to lie for long periods of time, thinking over the plots of his reports. This room remains one of the most sought-after rooms in the hotel, especially by writers and journalists hoping to catch a glimpse of the great wordsmith's inspiration.
We offer a premium tour option to Istanbul for 6 days in December:
Day 1-6: Accommodation at Pera Palace Hotel 5* in a deluxe room overlooking the Golden Horn
Flight: Turkish Airlines (Business Class)
Individual transfer by Mercedes S-class
1. Night photo tour "Mystical Istanbul" - a walk through the old streets with a professional photographer
2. Cooking class in a 19th-century mansion with a visit to the spice bazaar
3. Private yacht cruise on the Bosphorus with a visit to secret bays and dinner on board
Recommended restaurants with authentic Ottoman cuisine:
1. Asitane Restaurant-it serves dishes based on old recipes of the Ottoman court, found in the archives of the Topkapi Palace. Try the stewed lamb with apricots and almonds.
2. Pandeli-a historic restaurant above the Egyptian Bazaar, founded in 1901. The specialty is baked sea fish in salt and traditional Turkish desserts.
3. Tuğra Restaurant at Çırağan Palace Kempinski - fine Ottoman cuisine with stunning views of the Bosphorus. I recommend ordering a tasting menu with wine accompaniment.
Tour costs will depend on specific dates in December, but prepare for premium pricing to match the legendary status of the hotel and the exclusivity of the programme.
Would you like to find out more about specific dates or hear alternative tour programme options?
Contact us to book your room in advance: +90 532 67 99057
TELEGRAM: https://t.me/saodatourizm
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