Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Türkiye
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
Ciragan Cad. 32 34349 Besiktas İstanbul
Turkey
www.kempinski.com/istanbul
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
KempinskiHotels
Shareholders
Abu Dhabi Investment Authorithy (ADIA)
Date of Creation
Kempinski since 1990
Hotel General Manager
Ralph Radtke, General Manager & Regional Director Kempinski Residences Turkey.
Hotel Positioning
5-star luxury Imperial Palace & Hotel.
A member of Leading Hotels of the World
A member of Traveller Made
A member of Signature Travel Network
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
History & Story
17th Century
The area around the Çırağan Palace was known as « Kazancıoğlu Garden » during the 17th century. These lush gardens extended from the Beşiktaş district to the Ortaköy.
1718 – 1730
The colourful years that came to be known as the Tulip Period, a period characterised above all by a passionate love of flowers and music. It was during these years that Ahmet III presented this property to his son-in-law, the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha. The first structure in the region was the mansion that belonged to Admiral Kılıç Ali Pasha. Damat İbrahim Pasha of Nevşehir, the Grand Vezir, had built a summer mansion for his wife Fatma Sultan (the daughter of Sultan Ahmet III) in 1719 on the same spot. Fatma Sultan frequently organised torch lit celebrations, or “Çırağan Festivals”, in the gardens. In Persian, the word Çırağan suggests a “special light source”. The word soon became synonymous with the palace.
1834
Sultan Mahmut II in 1834 decided to reconstruct the area that by then had a mosque, a school and a Mevlevi lodge by demolishing the summer villa and building the first palace.
1857
Sultan Abdülmecid demolished the palace that Sultan Mahmut II had built, and made plans to rebuild a new palace in a “western” style. However, he passed away in 1861 and his wishes were carried out by his brother, Sultan Abdülaziz.
1871
Sultan Abdülaziz finished building the palace in 1871, yet the building was in a more “Eastern” style, and North African architectural techniques were used. The contractors were Sarkis Balyan and his associate, Narsisyan Krikor. The waterfront construction alone cost 400,000 Ottoman liras. Over the construction of the Çırağan Palace, which began in 1863 was completed in 1871, 2.5 million gold coins were spent.
1909
On November 14, 1909, Çırağan Palace was selected as the site for a significant meeting of the Turkish Parliament. Dramatically, however, shortly after the conclusion of the Parliament meeting in January 1910 a fire destroyed the inside of the palace, including significant antiques and art pieces from Abdülhamid’s collection and books from the renowned library of Murat V.
1920
At the end of WWI, during the occupation of Istanbul, the ruined palace was used as “Bizo Barrack” by the French military’s field corps engineers. From 1930 on, Beşiktaş Football Team used the garden of the palace as a stadium.
1946
In 1946, an army captain damaged the grave site of the whirling dervishes in the basement of the palace while digging for gold. That same year it was decided that the palace would be left to the municipality.
Date Renewal
1985
On 7 March 1985, the Sanbar Group signed a letter of understanding with the Turkish Republic Ministry of Culture and Tourism to renovate the Çırağan Palace and develop it into a recreational centre with an adjoining five star hotel. Kumagai Gumi as the main contractor for construction. The construction work started in 1987 and, subsequently, the Kempinski Group was awarded the contract for hotel management and operations.
1991
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul opened its doors to a curious public in 1991 with the modern hotel building built on the premises of the palace. More significantly, however, after years of redesign and construction the “new” Çırağan Palace opened the doors of its four immense, historic gates in 1992.
1997, 2007 and present
The hotel building went under a renovation in 1997 which included all the rooms and public areas. The palace’s renovation came in 2006; meeting rooms, public areas and suites were restored to their original colour scheme and glamour. State-of-the-art technology was also placed in all meeting rooms. The Tuğra Restaurant was part of this renovation project as well.
Since then, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul has remained as “the place” to meet for royalty such as H.R.M. Juan Carlos II, King of Spain and Prince Albert of Monaco. Presidents and prime ministers such as Bill Clinton and world renowned artists, designers and business people such as Sophia Loren, Sting, Oprah Winfrey, U2, Madonna, ZahaHadid, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Louboutin, and many others have stayed as well. The hotel has also hosted countless international government summits, meetings, weddings and social events. Elsewhere in Istanbul, there have been attempts to recreate the gracious lifestyle of the sultans within new hotels, but there is a world of difference between saying, “this is what the walls of a sultan’s palace would have looked like” and “these are the very walls”.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• The only Imperial Ottoman Palace & Hotel in Istanbul
• Excellent location right on the Bosphorus
• 11 Palace Suites with around the clock butler service
• Resort ambiance in the heart of the city
• Transfers by 3 options (yacht, limo, helicopter)
• Palace Grand Ballroom & Terrace for prestigious social events
• Historical Turkish Bath for events at the genuine palace
• Tuğra Restaurant, ultimate Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant
Location
Çırağan Palace Kempinski İstanbul is situated on the European shores of the Bosphorus, in the city centre between the districts of Besiktaş and Ortaköy. The hotel is 10 minutes’ drive from one of the main attractions of the city, Taksim Square, and the luxury and trendy shopping area of Nişantaşı. It is 20 minutes’ drive from the Old City Sultanahmet and business districts Levent and Maslak.
Istanbul International Airport is 42 km/75 minutes away.
Key sites/activities in the area
İstanbul, as the only city in the world that lies on two continents, Asia and Europe, İstanbul has hosted 3 big empires in its at least two-millennia old history. Featuring world renowned claims to fame like St Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Underground Cistern, the legendary Museum of Topkapı Palace with its dazzling displays of the treasures of the Ottoman Sultans and the covered Grand Bazaar in its charming Old City.
İstanbul hosts many hip and trendy districts as well, such as the luxury residential and shopping districts Nişantaşı and Bebek or more local and bohemian tastes such as Beyoğlu or Cihangir. Apart from shops scattered around the city, İstanbul offers modern luxury shopping malls such as Kanyon or İstinye Park as well. A Bosphorus boat cruise gives guests a chance to take in some unforgettable views of the city and see Ottoman architecture up close.
HOTEL FEATURES
Restaurants & Bars
• Gazebo
Gazebo offers a gastronomic experience with its magnificent view of the Bosphorus, unique tastes and design inspired by the Ottoman Gardens. Akdeniz by Esra Muslu Let us take you on a culinary journey full of savoury delicacies in this entirely new restaurant.
• Tuğra Restaurant
Located on the first floor of historical Çırağan Palace with a breath-taking view of the Bosphorus, Tuğra offers a fine-dining experience.
• Le Fumoir
Surrounded by palm trees and open to the refreshing breeze of the Bosphorus, you may also indulge in various flavoured tobaccos, served in handmade humidors and the most delicious comfort snacks.
• Bellini Pasta
Bellini Pasta & More is located at the historical Palace and offers Italian delicacies with a majestic Bosphorus view.
• Berthold
With its wonderful ambiance, comfortable and cosy seating area, "Berthold" offers a unique pop-up concept with a magnificent Bosphorus views.
• Bosphorus Grill
Special location with stunning views and a magical atmosphere, offers an exceptional seafood and grill experience.
• The 47
Music & Drinks by the Bosphorus.
Wellness
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Spa is managed by SANITAS includes an authentic Turkish bath (hamam), a gym, a whirlpool, an indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, massage rooms and a cosmetic room. A favourite is the infinity outdoor swimming pool, which has spectacular views over the Bosphorus. Turkish Hammam treatments and Ayurvedic treatments are other highlights of the Spa.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Çırağan Palace Kempinski’s 16 meeting rooms, with state-of-art-technology and unparalleled comfort ensure absolutely flawless meetings and social events. From the Çırağan Ballroom with an unbeatable view of the Bosphorus and a capacity of 950 people at a sit down dinner to a plainer room that can be divided and united, all rooms enjoy natural daylight. Palace Grand Ballroom and Terrace for prestigious social events up to 2000.
Extra Notable Features
• The only Imperial Ottoman Palace & Hotel in Istanbul
• Excellent location right on the Bosphorus
• 11 Palace Suites with around the clock butler service
• 80% of the rooms with Bosphorus view
• All rooms with balconies
• Resort ambiance in the heart of the city
• Transfers by 3 options (yacht, limo, helicopter)
• Palace Grand Ballroom & Terrace for prestigious social events
• Daylight for all accommodation rooms & event venues
• Historical Turkish Bath for events at the genuine palace
• Tuğra Restaurant, ultimate Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant
• Extensive breakfast with a selection of over 300 different delights, over 80% organic products