Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Turkey
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.
Prior to joining Çırağan Palace Kempinski İstanbul, 4 years he held the post of Senior Vice President of Sofitel for a total of 15 hotels in Northern, Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey & Israel. In October 2011, he assumed his current position as the GM of Çırağan Palace Kempinski as well as the Regional Director of 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
Development strategy
N/A
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.
Children’s Corner
Kids’ special treatment at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul starts with a warm welcome with a colourful and tasty candy upon their arrival. Kids are then presented with rucksacks which contain colouring books, colouring pencils and a name tag to be filled with their own name. “Childish surprises” await them in the rooms, including bathrobes fitting their height, a pair of slippers fitting their feet, tear-free bath products, lovely teddy bears on their beds and flavours appealing to their tastes.
The hotel has an open air kids park, a kids pool, a spacious garden where kids can run and play and a special kids room prepared on Sundays during brunch (from 12.00 to 16.00).
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
282 Hotel Rooms:
• 103 Park View Rooms (28-32 m²)
• 125 Superior Bosphorus View Rooms (32-34 m²)
• 20 Deluxe Bosphorus View Rooms (67 m²)
• 34 Grand Deluxe Bosphorus View Rooms (47.5-52.5 m²).
20 Hotel Suites:
• 5 Studio Suites (54 m²)
• 9 One Bedroom Suites (66 m²)
• 1 Lale Suite (139 m²)
• 1 Garden Superior Bosphorus View Suite (111 m²)
• 1 Vali Suite and 1 Vezir Suite (72 m²)
• 1 Presidential Suite and 1 Pasha Suite (156 m²).
11 Palace Suites:
• 4 Park View One Bedroom Suites (52-76 m²)
•1 Park View Two Bedroom Suite (152 m²)
• 1 Three Bedroom Corner Suite (196 m²)
• 3 Bosphorus View One Bedroom Suites (86-97 m²)
• 1 Bosphorus View Corner Two Bedroom Suite (138 m²)
• 1 Sultan Suite (375 m²).
Restaurants & Bars
• Tuğra Restaurant & Lounge
“The ultimate Ottoman dining experience” with a stunning view of the Bosphorus.
• Le Fumoir
For premium drinks and quality cigars with its summer extension Le Fumoir Pavilion for “shisha with style”.
• Bosphorus Grill
Bosphorus Grill, Çırağan Palace Kempinski İstanbul’s summer venue right by the Bosphorus, welcomes the summer with a new concept boasting with refreshing whites and blues in harmony. Delicious à la carte dishes for lunch, opulent buffet fish and meat flavors for dinner are at the forefront for the distinguished guests.
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
Hotel & Restaurants Awards
2017
• Marketing Türkiye and BoomSonar “Social Media Awards Turkey 2017” – 23 May: The Best Hotel On Social Media
• Gentleman Magazine Turkish Edition – 22 May: Best Hotelier, Ralph Radtke
• Conde Nast Traveller US – April: 21 Sexy Hotels to Tie the Knot in Europe (#14)
https://www.cntraveller.in/story/21-sexy-hotels-tie-knot-europe/#s-custciragan-palace-kempinski
• “Top 10 German Foreign Hoteliers Working Abroad 2017” by the renowned hotel guide Schlummer Atlas (2014-2015-2016-2017) – 24 April: General Manager Ralph Radtke
• Architectural Digest.com – US – March: Ciragan Palace listed in the ‘‘9 Luxury Hotels with Unorthodox Histories’’ (#6)
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/luxury-hotels-with-unorthodox-histories
• Travel & Leisure Magazine (US) – February: 15 of the Most Romantic Hotels in Europe (#14)
www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/most-romantic-hotels-getaway-europe/2#hotel-santa-caterina-amalfi-italy
• Business Development Conference Awards – 31 Jan: Best Social Media Management in Europe Kempinski Hotels, Special Recognition
• World Tourism Forum Awards – 17 Feb
Best Social Media Award
Jury Special Awards – Best Hotelier of the Year 2017 – Ralph Radtke
Best Luxury Hotel
2016
• Turkish Exporters Assembly: Turkey’s 500 Great Service Exporters According to the results of the year 2015 survey, 57 were ranked in the top 500 service exporters and 12 in the « Tourism Services » category.
• The Future of Tourism Awards: Best City Hotel of the Year
• World Travel Awards (announced 3 December 2016): World’s Leading Heritage Hotel 2016: Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Turkey
• Conde Nast Traveler (announced 18 October 2016): Readers’ Choice Awards 2016
Top Hotels in Greece and Turkey (#15)
http://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/europe/greece-turkey-top-hotels
• 2016-17 U.S. News & World Report Best Hotels in Europe(October 2016): Ciragan Palace Kempinski #8 in Best Istanbul Hotels
http://travel.usnews.com/Hotels/review-Ciragan_Palace_Kempinski-Istanbul-Turkey-133961/
• World Travel Awards
Europe’s Leading Hotel 2016: Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey’s Leading Hotel Suite 2016: Sultan Suite, Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
Turkey’s Best Hotel Spa 2016: Ciragan Palace Kempinski Spa, managed by Sanitas
Europe’s Best Hotel Spa 2016: Ciragan Palace Kempinski Spa, managed by Sanitas
• “Top 10 German Foreign Hoteliers Working Abroad 2016” by the renowned hotel guide Schlummer Atlas (2014-2015-2016): General Manager Ralph Radtke
• OneModernCouple.com
Sultan Suite #1
10 Luxurious Hotel Suites Around The World
• VIP International Traveller Magazine
Readers Traveler Awards
Most Exclusive Hotels worldwide (#3)
• Tripadvisor: Certificate of Excellence 2016
• CNN.com: Sultan Suite selected in « The Middle East’s most opulent hotel rooms » category
• Forbes: Sultan Suite in the “World’s Most Luxurious Hotel Suites top 10 list”
• Robb Report Mexico: Top 23 Luxury Hotels of 2016
• World Tourism Awards
Best Hotel Group, Kempinski Hotel
Best Weeding Hotel, Ciragan Palace Kempinski İstanbul
2015
• “Top 10 German Foreign Hoteliers Working Abroad 2015” by the renowned hotel guide Schlummer Atlas (2014-2015): General Manager Ralph Radtke
• VIP International magazine: Readers Traveler Awards: Most Exclusive Hotels worldwide (#8)
• World Travel Awards: World’s Leading Heritage Hotel
• Worldwide Hospitality Awards: Best HotelierGeneral Manager Ralph Radtke
• VIP International magazine : Reader’s Travel Awards: Most exclusive hotels worldwide
• Condé Nast Traveler (US): Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Hotels in Greece & Turkey (#2)
http://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/2015/europe/top-hotels-in-greece-and-turkey-readers-choice-awards
• Condé Nast Traveller (UK): Readers’ Travel Awards: Best Overseas Business Hotels
• World Travel Awards
Europe’s Leading Hotel
Turkey’s Leading Hotel Suite: Sultan Suite
• Travel + Leisure (US):World’s Best Hotels T+L 500
• Business Insider US: “50 Incredible hotels you should sleep in during your lifetime”
• Robb Report: Top 100 Hotels
• Architectural Digest (one of the publications of the Tugra restaurant in the list of of Conde Nast International): “The World’s Most Spectacular Waterfront Restaurants’’
2014
• Best Hotels in Europe – awarded by Business Insider
• Readers’ Choice Awards « Best Hotels in Greece & Turkey » – awarded by Condé Nast Traveler (US)
• Readers’ Travel Awards « Best Overseas Business Hotels » – awarded by Condé Nast Traveller (UK)
• World’s Best Hotels T+L 500 – awarded by Travel + Leisure, US
• 2014 Gold List « Best Hotels in Europe » and « Best City Hotels and Business Hotels » – awarded by Condé Nast Traveler, US
2013
• World’s Best Hotels 2013, “Best Hotel by the City” and “Top 100 Hotels of the World” – awarded by Institutional Investor
• « Top 50 Hotels Worldwide » – awarded by Five Star Alliance
• Readers’ Choice Awards « Top 100 Hotels in the World » and « Top 10 Hotels in Eastern Europe » – awarded by Condè Nast Traveler, US
• Readers’ Travel Awards, “Best Overseas Business Hotels” – awarded by Condé Nast Traveller, UK
• World’s Best Hotels T+L 500 – awarded by Travel + Leisure, US
• 2013 Gold List, “ The World’s Best Places to Stay” – awarded by Condè Nast Traveler, US
• The 100 Best Hotels of Europe, “The Best Luxurious Hotel” – awarded by Geo Saison, Germany
• Connoisseur Circle Hospitality Awards, “The Best Grand Hotel” – awarded by Connoisseur Circle, Germany
• Commitment to Quality Award 2013, “Best in Europe” – awarded by The Leading Hotels of the World.
Number of employees
530