This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. Istanbul is the most visited city in Turkey and actually one of the most visited cities in the world. The first time I came to Istanbul, we spent the entire night at the airport. Without doubt, that’s a story for another time. To make up for said memory, a recent trip to Istanbul was done right. I stayed in the lap of luxury at the Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul. The accommodation is a nod to yesteryear with its old world white glove 5 Star service, wall to wall antiquities and rich history. All in all, I can say with certainty, that Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul is the opulent stay you need! Lodging Type: Historic Hotel, Luxury Hotel Hotel Class: 5 Stars The Pera Palace dates back to the late 1800’s. It was originally built to house passengers from the Orient Express, a long distance train service. In fact, it was the first hotel in Istanbul to have modern comforts like electricity. Staying here, is to immerse yourself in its rich 130+ year history. After all, the hotel has withstood two world wars. While you can feel that the walls have stories to tell, you can’t see it. At the present time, the hotel has maintained its lavish, yet tasteful, palatial charm. Pool Fitness Center Bar & Lounge Room Service Restaurant & Patisserie Spa, Hammam, Steam Room Currency Exchange Butler Service & Concierge 24 Hour Front Desk & 24 Hour Check in Laundry Service, Dry Cleaning, Shoe Shine There are some rooms worth noting in the Pera Hotel Istanbul. Room 101 is a Museum Room that can be viewed by anyone between 10:00am – 11:00am and 3:00pm – 4:00pm. Rooms and suites have been named after significant names that have stayed at the Palace. For instance, there are rooms named after Greta Garbo, Alfred Hitchcock, Ernest Hemingway, Jaqueline Onassis and Agatha Christie. In fact, it’s said that Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express at the Pera Palace in room 411. Obviously, this aspect will vary depending on the room you book. I was very happy with the room. Namely, it was very spacious, had a balcony, a nice bathroom and a Nespresso machine. The service at Pera Hotel in Istanbul is fabulous. But, you’d expect it to at a 5 Star Hotel. Luckily, it lives up to the level of service one would expect from a hotel of this caliber. From the check in experience to ordering room service or dining at Agatha Restaurant the staff makes you feel welcomed and cared for. Since we were up early and on the go each day, we ordered room service for breakfast a couple times. It arrived in a reasonable amount of time and was laid out nicely. Great way to start a busy travel day! Like most hotels, rates will vary seasonally and likely increase year after year. At the time of my stay, I booked the room through American Express Travel for roughly $163.79 per night before tax. It goes without saying, this is a great deal for a hotel of this caliber. However, since October of 2021, rates have more than doubled. I’ve seen this hotel go for as high as almost $500 per night on certain dates. The Pera Palace is definitely a worthwhile experience. If you’re on a budget, I’d recommended staying a night or two for the experience during low season. Tip: January is considered the cheapest month to travel to Istanbul, and this hotel’s room rates are also low during that time. Just be prepared for the cold, as lows can be as frigid as 37ยฐ F. The Hotel, and its surrounding areas, felt incredibly safe. There is a 24 hour doorman who can assist you if you need to go somewhere or get a taxi. We took out on foot to see several things, including me going on a mission to get my hair washed and blown out in the neighborhood. The food at Agatha Restaurant is delicious. We dined there kind of late, and thus, had the whole restaurant to ourselves until our desert course. No complaints here! Of course, it’s always nice to have an on site restaurant for convenience sake, but this restaurant would be worth traveling to. The cuisine is a blend of French, Italian and Turkish. If you’re craving sweets… there is a beautiful patisserie in the hotel. Patisserie de Pera is clad in soft pinks, blush toned chairs and peachy chandeliers. The patisserie is an overtly feminine ambiance, where you can indulge your sugar cravings, enjoy a coffee or tea, have breakfast or even some ice cream in a casual but sophisticated setting. You can book a stay at the Pera Palace Hotel, here! โข I loved my stay at Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul and I fully intend on staying there again the next time I’m in Istanbul. I would like to note that this hotel is a bit a ways away from all the main tourist attractions. We took cabs back and forth to any sites we wanted to see. โข Istanbul isn’t the easiest place to get a taxi at times. If you manage to find an areas where you can hail a taxi, don’t assume you’re in. Taxis in Istanbul are notoriously known for turning down rides if they determine the “ride isn’t long enough” or other reasons. โข Avoid taxi scams by asking your hotel around how much a ride should cost from where you are to where you’re going. Only take official taxi’s and don’t agree to flat rates… always run the meter. If you pay cash, pay attention to notes that you give the driver. This will help avoid any “notes getting switched” or other issues. After a fascinating time exploring Istanbul, next stop is Cappadocia! Going – I have been subscribed to Going (formerly, beloved, Scott’s Cheap Flights) awhile now and it’s an amazing resource for finding… did you guess cheap flights? Yes, you can set your preferences from airports to flight class and get destination deals right to your inbox. It’s fab! I use the Premium paid version, but they have a FREE version too. So what are you waiting for?! Let’s get Going! Booking.com – the majority, if not almost all of my stays are booked on Booking.com. It’s a reliable site to book and manage your reservations. It’s a great way to find boutique stays and unique accommodations at the best rates! You can also easily communicate with your accommodation through the app! Expedia – If I am looking for a flight to a specific destination for specific dates, I find myself booking the majority of my flights on Expedia. It’s user friendly and straight forward. I often can find the most cost effective rates, while earning points for every flight I book (in tandem with the points I receive from the credit cards I pay with). Viator – most of the activities, tours and excursions I book for my trips are booked through Viator. Whether you’re seeking a guide for the day, a group tour, a cooking class, Viator has you covered! Get Your Guide – this is another great marketplace to find tours, excursions and activities to book for your upcoming trip. Staying at the Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul
A Bit of History about Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul
Amenities
Noteworthy Rooms at the Pera Palace Hotel Istanbul
The Room
Service
Hotel Cost
Safety & Security
Food Situation
Spa
Know Before You Go
Travel Tips & Resources to Help You Plan an Epic Trip!
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