Amy Adejokun
Section editor
This is a prestigious hotel offering the services of large European hotels combined with oriental charm. The setting is incredibly romantic, making the Ciragan Palace an ideal location for any honeymoon and all types of celebration. It is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Istanbul.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski - © Marco Toninelli / EASYVOYAGE
Ciragan Palace Kempinski - © Marco Toninelli / EASYVOYAGE
This hotel is a 5-minute walk from the business district of Besiktas and a 30-minute walk from the tourist district of Taksim. The concierge can also call a taxi for you. Ataturk airport is 16 mi away and transfer time is around 40 minutes.
Whether you are staying in one of the 284 bedrooms or in one of the 31 suites, you will have only one desire here - to imagine that this is home. It is pointless expecting to find a "standard" room here; the lowest category is the "superior" room. Decorated in blue and white, they provide optimum comfort. Note the light switches as proof of this. There is no point in looking for them (I must admit that I tried) - there aren't any. You can operate everything in the room (light, etc...) in the blink of an eye using the touch telephone beside the huge raised bed you will not be able to resist. The lovely wooden coffee tables, the view over the Bosphorus, the soft carpets and other facilities will not suit workaholics who have no choice, unless they are working even in holiday time (a study area has unfortunately been included). Rest assured, ladies, that the bathroom is perfect. With more than just basic hospitality products, you will find a range of treatments available for you to take care of yourself and your body. If you really want to relax you will find a list of treatments on offer in the spa in your bedroom (you are already in your bathrobe, so why not!). So let your senses run free and just do as you please. There is a safe deposit box at your disposal, room service is available 24 hours a day, 72 international television channels, and a direct-dial international line.
Opened in 2007, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski consists of two hotels; the Ciragan Palace (main building) and the Deluxe hotel (right wing). In terms of restaurant services you have the choice of 3 restaurants in the winter and 4 in the summer, when the time comes to enjoy barbecues in the huge garden overlooking the Bosphorus. The hotel also has its own spa (with, amongst other things, a sauna and a fitness room) where face and body treatments take on another dimension.To top it all off, doing lengths in the outdoor swimming pool is perfect for imagining yourself swimming in the Bosphorus.
The Ciragan Palace has 3 restaurants, each as exceptional as the last. The first, the "Laledan Restaurant", offers various fish specialities. The second, the "Gazebo Lounge & Restaurant", open 24 hours a day, enjoys an impressive view over the Bosphorus. The continental buffet breakfast deserves a special mention. Finally, the "Tugra Restaurant"; we liked this oriental-style cuisine and the view over the Bosphorus you definitely never tire of.
The Ciragan Palace Kempinski is a member of "The Leading Hotels of the World" group. It is a surprising building in the heart of Istanbul, where the Ottoman Sultans previously lived.Since its opening in 1990, the Ciragan has hosted various personalities such as artists, royal families and other distinguished people.Accommodation advice: Several categories of bedroom are available to you, although the superior rooms (equivalent to standard rooms) already provide an excellent level of comfort.
massage, sauna, hammam, Turkish bath, keep fit, spa, beauty salon
sports, aerobics, gym, tennis, golf
Like the phoenix, the Çiragan Palade has risen from the ashes to produce a high-ranking and very charming hotel. An exceptional location by the Bosphorus in order to stay in the same place where sultans lived.
The Conrad hotel is one of the major international hotels in Istanbul. A place away from the hustle and bustle of the old town, but close to the Bosphore, the Ortaköy and the Dolmabahçe Palace.
The Hotel Hilton in Istanbul offers all the standard comfort of large business hotels, but this place is also suitable for tourists and anyone who wants high-quality services. It is rare in Istanbul to find a hotel with a large landscaped garden.
Strange mixture! The Divan offers modernism and the services of a large hotel in a slightly 70's atmosphere. A functional, comfortable address a few minutes' walk from Taksim Square.
Located close to the business quarter and the best bars and nightclubs in Istanbul, the Intercontinental Ceylan offers all the services of a top international hotel. A practical and comfortable place with no unpleasant surprises.
Not far from Taksim, the Point hotel is a beautiful modern hotel with great comfort and beautiful spaces.
The fact that nothing about this hotel really grabs your attention from the outside could persuade you to simply walk on by, but that would be a mistake, because it conceals an interior that is sure to leave an impression.
Whether you find Les Ottomans exquisite, eccentric, dreamlike, or simply odd, it is unlikely to leave you indifferent. Opened in 2007 as a boutique hotel, it is full of decorative items and features that leave little empty space and give the place a cosy feel.
An intimate, original hotel designed according to the exact wishes of the current owner, it is perfect for couples looking for a special place for a break and anyone who likes staying in cocoon-like settings.
An unpretentious hotel, friendly and comfortable, mainly visited by French people, near the main historical sites in Istanbul.
As its name indicates, the Sumahan on the Water is a little world on the water. Inside, it displays a balance of lines and shapes that create a modern style and is never cold. This is a bit of a surprise given the exterior aspect of the building, which management wanted to keep as nondescript as possible.
This effort to go unnoticed speaks of the attention afforded to the guests, in terms of welcome, service, and cuisine. The Sumahan blends luxury and attention to detail together with know-how, efficiency, good taste, and quality.
It also commands one of the finest views of the Bosphorus there is. It really is in a league of its own.
Like the phoenix, the Çiragan Palade has risen from the ashes to produce a high-ranking and very charming hotel. An exceptional location by the Bosphorus in order to stay in the same place where sultans lived.
The Four Seasons is indisputably the most charming place in Istanbul. Nothing is left to chance in this old restored prison: neither decor, nor service. An excellent place to enjoy top-class service in the heart of one of the most beautiful historical sites in the old town.
This luxury hotel is of a very good standing. This hotel is made for those seeking excellent comfort as well as numerous and impeccable services. Its only downside is the distant location.
An elegant, quality international hotel for business people and holidaymakers. Great food too.
The Hotel Hilton in Istanbul offers all the standard comfort of large business hotels, but this place is also suitable for tourists and anyone who wants high-quality services. It is rare in Istanbul to find a hotel with a large landscaped garden.
Located close to the business quarter and the best bars and nightclubs in Istanbul, the Intercontinental Ceylan offers all the services of a top international hotel. A practical and comfortable place with no unpleasant surprises.
The Conrad hotel is one of the major international hotels in Istanbul. A place away from the hustle and bustle of the old town, but close to the Bosphore, the Ortaköy and the Dolmabahçe Palace.