Istanbul's landmark hotel: Check prices & book
Why just visit attractions when you can stay in one? The fabulous Pera Palace is Istanbul's most famous hotel, built by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits in 1892-1895 for passengers arriving on the Orient Express from London and Paris. Famous guests include Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock, Greta Garbo, Turkey's Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Britain's King Edward VIII & Queen Elizabeth II.
Room 411 was regularly used by Agatha Christie and can still be booked by guests, although you'll find it booked way in advance. Room 101 is a museum to the founder of modern Turkey, leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
I stayed here in 1995, 2005, 2013 & 2025. In 1995 & 2005 its grandeur had faded and it cost a mere £68 a night, but in 2010 it was completely refurbished to 5-star standards and it now requires a modest splurge - but as little as £169 if you pick your dates with care, check prices for your dates.
It's one of my all-time favourite hotels, with friendly staff and the most comfortable beds in Istanbul. But it's special to my wife and I for another reason, in 2005 it was where I told my wife she was pregnant with our first child, after the hotel manager translated the Turkish word hamilesiniz in a certain set of instructions...
The Pera Palace's main entrance. Nearest metro station Şişhane on line M2. It's a short walk from the Galata Tower and the Tünel funicular up from Karaköy.
Above left, the hotel lobby. In 2005, I was standing just in front of the desk on the left when I found out Mrs 61 was pregnant with our first child.
Above right, afternoon tea is an institution at the Pera Palace, and no, we couldn't finish it all. Normally held in the lounge, it was in the bar that day.
The famous Pera Palace hotel lift installed in 1892, the first electric lift in Turkey and only the second in Europe.
Above left, the hotel bar. Ernest Hemingway spent a lot of time in here in 1922.
Above right, the lounge, seen from the 1st floor. Breakfast is served one floor down from the lobby, near the spa.
One of several lovely Greta Garbo corner rooms, this is 212. The most comfortable bed in Istanbul!
Above, Agatha Christie's room 411 was occupied this time, so here's a photo of Mrs 61 in that room in 2005.