Pera Palace Hotel
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History
“Pera Palace”: the very name inspires visions of Ottoman grandeur, the great European fascination with the East, the immortalisation of Istanbul’s unique culture in Western literature, and the very beginnings of world tourism as we now know it. The interesting part is that all of these associations are, in fact, true. While staying at the Pera Palace, you are part of a living, breathing museum – an unbroken thread between past, present, and future.
When the first Orient Express chugged through the gates of Constantinople in 1889, its regal European passengers were not prepared for the marvels of the world’s only transcontinental city. As it turned out, the city wasn’t ready for them either – which gave train pioneer Georges Nackelmackers the idea of founding Constantinople’s first European-style hotel. This was, of course, the Pera Palace. Now let us imagine what those adventurous travellers would have encountered when they approached this beacon of luxury in the heart of the city’s Pera district, which hosted the foreign embassies and was populated largely by Levantine Christians, Greeks, Armenians, and Jews.
Just as the Oriental Express passengers did, we will enter through the Pera Palace’s magnificent lobby. What would have met them was a tableau of welcoming refinement, well-insulated from the clamour, bustle, and possibly offensive odours of the street outside, where wealthy residents’ choice of transport was still a horse-drawn carriage, and the less wealthy might be lucky to own an ox. In the Pera Palace lobby, however, such earthly sights could not be further from our travellers’ minds. More like an ancient temple than a hotel entrance, columns of varicoloured granite rise on either side of the marble staircase, meeting crosses of rosy stone on the ceiling, where lines of circular skylights bathe the surroundings in quiet luminescence. “If this is merely the lobby, then what unthinkable wonders must inhabit the hotel’s interior?” our guests must have wondered as they were greeted by the hotel’s uniformed staff, conversant in all European languages. Their curiosity was quite justified; what awaited them beyond the red-carpeted stairs was the famed Kubbeli Lounge.
Architecture and Renovation
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Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah opened as the first luxury hotel in the Ottoman Empire providing the last destination stop in the East for passengers onboard The Orient Express. Located in the Tepebaşı district of Pera, this landmark hotel overlooks the Golden Horn. Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah is today regarded as an important historical building and is listed under the general protection of Turkish Law (No. 2863 of 1983, amended with Law No. 5226 of 2004) concerning cultural heritage in Turkey.
Alexander Vallaury, a Levantine of French origin and resident of Istanbul designed the property. Vallaury integrated neo-classical, art nouveau and oriental styles resulting in a building which is typical of the architecture of the 19th century Istanbul. All the interior systems of Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah are built around a 46 x 28 meter rectangular base, giving an open space in the middle of the building. This space with exceptionally high ceilings is named ‘Kubbeli Saloon’ and due to its central location, acts as the heart of the building. A roof which previously enclosed the six domes on top of the Kubbeli Saloon has been opened up. The domes have been cleaned and the roof has been converted into glass to let in more sunshine.
The exterior façade, as well as the layout of the property, follows a neo-classical approach. The interiors of the building feature a more oriental style, mostly concentrated in the ballroom interior. In keeping with this eclectic vision, art nouveau lines feature in and around the elevator and in the coffee house section.
Although a prominent symbol of Istanbul’s cityscape, the Pera Palace property was in need of an extensive renovation. Consequently in April 2008, the Beşiktas Shipping Group launched a 23 million Euro renovation and restoration project. KA.BA Conservation of Historic Buildings and Architecture directed the project alongside the Metex Design Group and the entire renovation project was completed on 1 September 2010.
The key objectives of the restoration and renovation project were to ensure that the original architectural and design features of the property were preserved in accordance with Turkish Law, seeking to protect the cultural heritage of the country. Equally important was to enhance the infrastructure and technology of the Pera Palace Hotel to ensure that it delivered on an experience synonymous with the standards of a five star luxury hotel.
The lobby area has been meticulously restored and retains the original art nouveau, neo-classical and oriental design influences. The first electric elevator in Istanbul remains intact, save for technical enhancements to keep it in working order. The communal areas on entrance floor level including The Orient Bar, Patisserie de Pera, Kubbeli Saloon Lobby Lounge, as well as the meeting rooms have all been restored whilst retaining the original architectural space and design detail.
A key attraction, the Atatürk Room 101 remains as a ‘Museum Room’, with many personal items and reading material of the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk exhibited to the public. In terms of renovation, the priority was to provide the highest level of comfort in the 115 guest bedrooms including upgrading interior fittings and installing new telecommunication systems. The Metex Design team selected Murano chandeliers to illuminate the bedrooms and heated Italian Carrara marble within the bathrooms. The names of the hotel suites pay homage to celebrated figures of history who stayed at Pera Palace and these key figures who include Pierre Loti, Ernest Hemingway, King Edward VIII and the Emperor Franz Joseph are referenced through objet d’arts, archive photography, subtle colour schemes and soft furnishings.
Also new to the property is the opening of the new 380 sqm Pera SPA with indoor pool with jet stream, a traditional Hammam, steam bath, jacuzzi, sauna and three treatment rooms. A gym / fitness centre is also available.
General Information
Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah rooms and suites, furnished in a classical style, take the guests on a journey back in time, into the glorious days of Istanbul. With its 115 rooms including 16 suites retaining the characteristics of the 19th century elegance through historical furniture, the hotel combines refined elegance with state-of-the-art technology to fulfill the needs of 21st century travellers.
Location
Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, overlooking the magnificent Golden Horn, is located in the Pera district of Taksim, once known as Istanbul’s “Little Europe”. Bohemian Pera and today’s dynamic, lively Beyoglu, is in the historical, cultural and social centre of Istanbul. Restaurants, clubs, artist ateliers, galleries and museums are only a few steps away. The hotel is within walking distance of Taksim Square, 3 km from the touristic district of old city, 2 km from cruiseline harbour and only 20 km from Atatürk International Airport.
Legendary Guests & Rooms
Ataturk Museum Room
Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey was a revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. His surname, Atatürk (meaning "Father of the Turks"), was granted to him in 1934 by the Turkish parliament.
Atatürk was a military officer during World War I. Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and allied invasion of Turkey, he successfully led the Turkish national movement and later the Turkish War of Independence.
It was 1917 when Ataturk stayed at the Pera Palace Hotel, for the first time.
His preferred room 101, was turned into a museum at his 100th birthday anniversary in 1981.
Today, "Atatürk's Suite" is a veritable museum, displaying 37 pieces of his personal belongings as well as objects of interest like ebony chairs, exotic oriental carpets and a rare black silk Indian wall carpet, all gifts from foreign heads-of-state to the revered Turkish leader.
The mysterious Indian carpet with a prophecy is a present from an Indian marajah that depicts 10 candles what we call Krizantem - in its pattern as well as a clock showing 9.05. Ataturk actually died on 10th. November at 9.05 am. The carpet was presented to him 9 years before his death in 1938.
In this museum room you can find his original personal belongings such as his hats, glasses, toothbrush, cigarettes, his private cutlery set, tea & coffee cups which had a monogram of his name, famous white flax suit and books about him written in different languages.
101 is a suite room which contains a master bedroom, living room and a modern bathroom.
The room is open to visit everyday between specific hours.
Agatha Christie Room
Fans of the renowned murder mystery writer, Agatha Christie are able to stay in her favourite Pera Palace room, Grand Pera Studio Room. Christie was a regular guest between 1926 and 1932 and according to popular belief, the “Murder On the Orient Express” was written in this room. Room 411 is decorated in deep burgundy and black reflecting the darkness and intrigue of her novels. Mysteries surrounding Christie’s lost diary are pinned on the discovery of a small key in this room. Enthusiasts here will be able to immerse themselves in an extensive collection of Agatha Christie novels, available in many different languages, whilst relaxing in the elegant surroundings of the Pera Palace. Having scoured through auctions for unique editions with exquisite illustrations from the 1970’s, the Pera Palace team is delighted to make multiple antique hardbacks available for its guests.
Other Legendary Guests
İsmet İnönü, King VIII. Edward, Queen II. Elizabeth, Austria – Hungary Emperor Franz Joseph, King Rıza Pehlevi, Yugoslavia President Tito, General Franz von Papen, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Greta Garbo, Sarah Bernhardt, Alfred Hitchcock, Pierre Loti, Jacqueline Kennedy, Ernest Hemingway, Ninette de Valois, Mata Hari, Cicero, Mikis Theodorakis
Hotel Venues
Historical Elevator
The Queen of Pera Palace, our historical elevator is the first electric elevator in the country made of wood and cast iron. This iconic elevator has been installed in the Pera Palace Hotel in 1892, only three years after the elevator in Eiffel Tower.
It is also worth mentioning that Pera Palace Hotel is the first building in Istanbul to have electricity and running hot water after the Ottoman Palaces.
British writer Daniel Farson described the first electric elevator in Turkey in these words; "It's the most beautiful elevator in the world made of cast iron and wood. This elevator ascends like a lady who curtsies. Tourists cannot take their eyes off this utterly pretty and aristocrat elevator."
Our Guest Relation team will be happy to assist you with your requests to use the Historical Elevator during your check-in. So that we can make your stay more memorable and historical.
Agatha Restaurant
Named after murder mystery writer Agatha Christie, it pays tribute to the three major destinations of the former Orient Express - Paris, Venice and Istanbul offering contemporary Turkish cuisine.
Orient Bar & Terrace
A popular meeting point for Istanbul’s high society and international travelers alike to enjoy relaxed conversations in this nostalgic and trendy setting.
Kubbeli Saloon
Afternoon tea has long been a tradition among Istanbul elite and this tea lounge offers gentle live piano music adding to the magical atmosphere. Its high ceilings, corner windows and parquet floor reflect the hotel’s legendary grandeur.
Patisserie de Pera
A classic French patisserie with excellent service offering delicious Turkish and French-inspired handmade cakes, macaroons, gateaux and homemade chocolates in an elegant ambiance and trendy setting.
Literature and publications
- In Ernest Hemingway's short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro, the main character, writer Harry, stays at the Pera Palace hotel while serving in the military during the Allied occupation of Constantinople (Istanbul) in World War I.
- Henry Pulling and his aunt Augusta Bertram, protagonists of Graham Greene's 1969 novel, Travels With My Aunt, stay at the Pera Palace during their Istanbul adventure.
- Detective writer Agatha Christie's 1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express was allegedly written in the Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, the southern terminus of the railway. The hotel maintains Christie's room as a memorial to the author.
- King, Charles. Midnight at the Pera Palace: The Birth of Modern Istanbul. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
Contact
Telephone: +90 212 377 40 00
Address: Meşrutiyet Cad. No:52 Tepebaşı
Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/istanbul/pera-palace-hotel-jumeirah/