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The exquisitely carved, marble walls that define historic Ciragan Palace

Elegant dining on the Bosphorus at Tugra Restaurant

Life is good in the Sultan Suite

A night to remember in the Sultan Suite bedroom

The show-stopping entrance to the Hammam at Ciragan Palace

Your private gathering will be enhanced in the opulent Ottoman Meeting Room

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Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Location:

Style: Historic

The last of the Ottoman palaces is now your palace for a night, with its intricately carved exterior walls and a fitting reconstruction of the interiors that were lost.

Ciragan Palace is a treasure of Turkish heritage that was almost lost at one time to fire and another time to thoughtless renovation. The Palace as we see it today has been restored and is now a proud member of the Kempinski luxury hotel group.  

Built between 1863 and 1867, Ciragan Palace was the home of the Sultan Abdulaziz and was the last palace built during the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan hired Armenian architect Nigogayos Balyan, a veteran of palace design to design it, and Balyan’s sons to build it. Today we call this “design – build.”  Sultan Abdulaziz lived in the palace for 9 years, after which he was deposed and mysteriously died 5 days later. His nephew and successor, Sultan Murad V, served only 93 days but lived in the palace until 1904.

In 1910 the palace interiors were substantially destroyed by fire. The renovation and hotel conversion that followed many years later was “less than historically sympathetic.” 

The palace was again renovated in 2007, this time recapturing its Turkish architectural past while creating the perfect setting for a luxury hotel. Ciragan Palace’s original exterior walls of exquisitely-carved marble have been restored. The interiors of the palace were reconstructed to create the essence of the 19^th century Ottoman palace that once was. Modifications were made to provide modern amenities appropriate for a 21st century luxury hotel.

Ciragan Palace offers 313 rooms located either in the original palace building or in a late 20^th century expansion. There are 11 Palace Suites which live up to their name. These suites are both spacious and of great height, with richly decorated walls and ceilings, luxurious window treatments, and furnishings of the highest quality.

There are four restaurants at Ciragan Palace: Tugra, Gazebo Lounge, Laledan, and Bosphorus Grill. Classic Ottoman cuisine is offered in the hotel’s premier fine dining room, Tugra. Tugra has a classic setting and features live Turkish music. Seasonally, dining is available on an  adjoining terrace overlooking the Bosphorus. Laledan offers casual all-day dining and a celebrated Sunday brunch. In the warmth of summer, the palace comes alive at the Bosphorus Grill, with terrace dining and live DJ. An afternoon tea and informal breakfast are served in the Gazebo Lounge.

The Hammam (Turkish spa) at Ciragan Palace is our favorite architectural feature of the hotel. The stunning lobby of the Hammam, with its white marble floors and exquisitely carved walls, railings and doorways, can be reserved for private receptions. 

There are several ballrooms and meetings rooms at Ciragan Palace of which the Ottoman Room is particularly beautiful. This space can also serve as a private dining room.

Images courtesy of Kempinski Hotels