The sun that suddenly rises behind the hills of Pera, over the minarets of the city and the Golden Horn, fills your heart with a crimson joy. Everything that was asleep all night long is waking up now…”
This is how Knut Hamsun, Norwegian writer and Nobel laureate in literature who visited Istanbul at the end of 1800’s describes the morning he woke up at Pera.
Like other western intellectuals - from Alphonse de Lamartine to Gérard de Nerval, from Pierre Loti to Theophile Gaultier - Hamsun delighted in visits to this imperial city, a city which changed the course of history forever.
As Istanbul became more accessible due to the 19th century developments of transportation, the capital to three ancient empires began to reveal its mysterious identity to the world. First, humble board and lodgings opened up for visitors coming to Istanbul to see the springtime pink-purple Judas trees on the slopes of the Bosphorus, the works of world famous Ottoman architect Sinan and the narrow, stone paved streets where over 40 different languages were spoken.
When the worldwide famous Orient Express chose Istanbul as its last stop in the East, Istanbul began to attract not only adventurers, but also the more elite and noble classes of Europe.
Unfortunately, there were yet no hotels in the city to meet the high standards of the Orient Express passengers.
Soon, the Pera Palace Hotel in Tepebasi, which was founded in 1892 and celebrated with its grand opening ball in 1895, was able to fill this gap.
Pera was once the heart of Istanbul, a cosmopolitan hub - where people of many nations lived, where many languages and dialects were spoken. And at the heart of Pera was Pera Palace Hotel. With its stunning views from Galata to the Golden Horn, from the slopes of Eyüp to Tepebasi, Pera Palace Hotel fascinated its guests then as it fascinates them today, more than a hundred years after its first opening.
The rooms and suites of the hotel bear witness to critical decisions which changed the course of history, times of both war and peace, when an empire was collapsing and when the Republic of Turkey was founded.
Pera Palace Hotel welcomes its guests back to the glamour of nostalgic Istanbul with a visit to its classic and uniquely furnished rooms and suites. Original 19th Century features, including precious “White Carrara” marbles and exquisite “Murano-glass” chandeliers make Pera Palace Hotel suites the ideal place to experience century - old heritage. At the same time, expertly installed state–of-the-art technology and new technological services guarantee the comfort of a luxury-class hotel...
Unique facilities and expert services help turn both business and leisure trips into the ultimate experience of comfort and luxury. Enjoy flawless service and first-class facilities throughout your stay at Pera Palace Hotel.