What it is

An imperial Ottoman Palace turned luxury hotel. It’s discreet, opulent and oh so refined.

What it isn't

It’s not a party spot that pulls in Istanbul’s nightlife.

What we think

Istanbul is the city where the East meets the West, the old meets the new, and the contemporary meets the modern. Çırağan Palace Kempinski is a hotel that both embraces and personifies the city’s dichotomic blend: during its redesign in 2024, rooms, restaurants, SPA and common spaces were renewed, inspired by Ottoman Architecture. Opulence is the adjective here: the lobby is two stories of marble, massive columns, ornate wrought-iron screens, a sprawling jungle's worth of flowers and small trees, and intricate Iznik tile inlay. The original palace, built in 1857, houses 11 lavish, balconied suites, a dining hall and a grand meeting space; a corridor connects the historic building to a modern wing that hosts more balconied guestrooms and additional suites, the cavernous lobby and more dining. In total, there are 317 rooms and suites. The palace has multiple restaurants and bars: all have outdoor spaces overlooking the gardens or the Bosphorus Strait. Everything from traditional Ottoman cuisine at award-winning Tuğra to Afternoon tea in the Gazebo to cigars and premium cognacs in the garden at Le Fumoir.

You're here because

You’ve got a thing for history - richly opulent history that is. Who wouldn’t want to be treated like a sultan?

The Moment

Just out of the hammam, your muscles relaxed and your skin radiant and glowing, you wander through the grounds of the palace. Palm fronds fan across the stone paths, the soft breeze from the Bosphorus encouraging them to dance. Up ahead, you hear a cocktail being shaken. Rounding a corner, Le Fumoir comes into view: lantern light twinkles around the wrought-iron gazebo, a canopy hangs gently above.

Restaurants & Bars

Gazebo - The ideal venue to enjoy delicious pastries, cakes, chocolates and the best afternoon tea in town

Bellini – Italian Cuisine, delicious seasonal menu

Tugra - Fine dining, ultimate Ottoman experience

Akdeniz Restaurant – Mediterranean Cuisine, Breakfast buffet daily, "Legendary Ciragan Brunch" on Sundays

Bosphorus Grill – Right by the seaside, only open on summer season

C Bar – Offers delicious cocktails by Bosphorus

Le Fumoir - Chic cigar bar

Location

The palace stands on the European shores of the Bosphorus, looking at the Asian continent across the strait. It’s a 45-minute (barring traffic) drive to the Istanbul International Airport.