With a rich and tumultuous history dating back to the 18th century, the waterfront Ciragan Palace has served as a luxurious Ottoman imperial palace, the seat of Istanbul’s Parliament, and even the barracks of the French troops during World War 1 during its lifetime. Having survived political intrigue, imperial family disputes and even a devastating fire in 1910 which burned the original building and its priceless furnishings to the ground, the palace was opulently restored in 1987 as a luxury hotel of unparalleled classical beauty. Offering 300 elegantly furnished rooms and suites, expect gold plated fixtures, sumptuous Turkish fabrics and generously sized rooms, along with some of the most decadent suites in Europe which boast their own staff, heliport, and private jetty. As the only Ottoman Imperial Palace & Hotel by the Bosphorous River, you’ll be left wanting for nothing here, be it state of the art spa facilities, a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, and even a sprawling concert hall featuring a regularly series of live performances. As one of Istanbul’s finest hotels, expect an indulgent price tag to match.
