Whether you arrive by yacht, helicopter, limousine, or Maybach (all of which are available to guests), as soon as you enter the five-star Ciragan Palace Kempinski you enter into a world marked by Ottoman elegance.
Built in the late 19th century, the original Ciragan Palace was renovated again in 2007, so that the 11 suites in the historic palace evoke the original baroque style – and so that the likes of Madonna, Liza, Oprah, Sting, Fergie, and just about every other boldface celebrity who has been in residence can wash their toesies beneath the gold-plated taps in the massive private hamam of the Sultan’s Suite.
Located on the European shores of the Bosphorus, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel opened in 1990 with 313 rooms and 20 suites. With its superb waterfront location and landscaped gardens with palm trees, the hotel exudes the ambiance of an enchanted private resort.
A high wall at the hotel’s front entrance fosters a sense of distance from the great city, enabling guests to wander the palace grounds as if they were members of a royal household.
(Source: Ciragan Palace Kempinski)
Guest rooms are capacious, with terraces that overlook the Bosphorus and make for a perfect perch at gloaming as the sky turns rosy pink with the sunset. A pillow menu offers six choices, including buckwheat, and WiFi is complimentary as is a daily newspaper. Breakfast is served at Laledan Restaurant overlooking the palm garden and includes a sultan’s feast of more than 300 choices, nearly all of them organic. Honey is served in the comb and the cornucopia of juices and smoothies would make Jamba Juice jealous.
There’s incredible attention to detail at The Ciragan Palace including nightly gifts and sweets, which might be Turkish delight or macaroons or truffles. Cross pens accompany monogrammed notepads and the robes are luxuriant. A morning wake-up call includes morning coffee on a silver tray, brought to your room by a uniformed valet.
In the evenings, when night has fallen, take a swim in the infinity pool and gaze at the stars above the Bosphorus – and be grateful that the Ottoman sultans had such exquisite taste.
LINK: Ciragan Palace Kempinski
