Pera Palace Hotel

"❤️ The Pera Palace Hotel is my favourite hotel in Istanbul; I visit it whenever I’m in the city. 🚂 It opened in 1895, built for passengers of the Orient Express. 🤩 This stunning Art-Nouveau hotel was the first in Türkiye to offer guests hot running water and had an electric elevator. 💎 As soon as you walk into the lobby, you know you’re somewhere special. It feels glamorous, with old-world vibes. 😉 The place is a splurge, but if you love historic hotels, the Pera Palace should be experienced at least once! 🤩 Many famous people have stayed here, including Queen Elizabeth II, Alfred Hitchcock, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye. 📚 Agatha Christie spent time in Istanbul in the late 1920s and 1930s and is rumoured to have written "Murder on the Orient Express" at the Pera Palace Hotel. 🍸 The hotel’s Orient Bar, with its luxe red chairs and Turkish carpet, is the perfect place for a cocktail and was once a hotspot for spies (Mata Hari), writers (Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway), and even royalty. 💕 MUST-DOs at the Pera Palace: 🍰 Indulge at the Patisserie de Pera, a pink jewel of a bakeshop cafe just off the lobby. 🫖 Enjoy afternoon tea in the Kubbeli Lounge with its spectacular glass domed ceiling. 🇹🇷 See Türkiye’s first elevator or the museum suite of the Republic’s founding father, Atatürk. 🍹 Enjoy cocktails at the Orient Bar. 🌟 If you love historic hotels with old-time glamour, then the Pera Palace is for you!"

"Now, here's a fascinating piece of history, an enchanting blend of modernity and Belle Epoque nestled in the heart of Istanbul. Built in 1892 for Orient Express travelers, Pera Palace Hotel, designed by Alexander Vallaury, elegantly fuses neo-classical and oriental influences. Hosting iconic figures like Greta Garbo, Alfred Hitchcock, and Queen Elizabeth II, with esteemed regulars including Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the hotel isn't just a place to stay; it's a living chronicle of Istanbul's vibrant past. Rumored to be the birthplace of Agatha Christie's iconic novel "The Murder on the Orient Express," the hotel has transformed the usual author's room into a captivating museum, inviting you to step into literary history. With its rich cultural legacy and a breathtaking view of the Golden Horn, this historic haven promises an unforgettable stay, a timeless experience spanning over a century."

"You can enjoy afternoon tea any day of the week here from 3 p.m. -6 p.m. for a flat rate of 490 TRY, or around $26 USD. The fee covers unlimited tea and a buffet of both savory refreshments and sweet treats. Be sure call a few days in advance to reserve your spot for afternoon tea. You can call the hotel directly at +90 212 377 4000."