At a Glance
Istanbul’s most historic property, the Pera Palace was designed in 1892 to receive passengers from the Orient-Express in grand style.
Indagare Loves
- Old World glamour and iconic Belle Epoque architecture
- Location in fashionable Beyoğlu, walking distance to shops and restaurants
- Serious historic pedigree, with former guests including Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway and Atatürk
Review
During its heyday, the 116-room Pera Palace hosted an illustrious cast of characters (Agatha Christie penned Murder on the Orient Express while staying here). Today, it’s as much a hotel as a historic trove; one of the rooms was actually turned into a museum dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with many of the leader’s personal belongings exhibited. On one side, the lobby has a restored Patisserie de Pera, serving cakes, pastries and coffee, and on the other, the Orient Bar. The surrounding neighborhood has some of the city’s best bars and restaurants, so for those who can’t stand the traffic, the location offers another appeal. The property also has a small spa as well as an indoor pool. An Indagare member wrote about her stay here: “The Pera may not have five-star services, but it offers something that no other Istanbul hotel does: a return to the Belle Époque.”
Who Should Stay
History buffs who would rather travel back in time with restored interiors than check into a five-star international chain.
Written by Indagare
