Pera Palas

Pera Palas Hotel is a historic hotel located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul. Construction began in 1892 and it opened for service in 1895. It was built to accommodate travelers of the Orient Express (East Express), serving as a bridge between the West and the East during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. The hotel stood out in Ottoman Istanbul for its architecture and concept of comfort that reflected European lifestyles of the era.

Pera Palas Hotel was designed by architect Alexandre Vallaury as a synthesis of French neoclassical orientalist and art nouveau styles. It was one of the first buildings in Istanbul to be illuminated by electricity and also one of the first to feature an electric elevator. In addition it was the first hotel in Istanbul to have a private bathroom in every room.

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Since its opening the Pera Palas has hosted numerous prominent local and international figures. In particular Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a frequent guest and room number 101 has been preserved as a museum room in his honor. Other notable guests include Agatha Christie Ernest Hemingway Greta Garbo Sarah Bernhardt and Alfred Hitchcock among many other celebrities.

It is believed that Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel Murder on the Orient Express while staying at the hotel. This legend has reinforced the hotel’s mysterious atmosphere.

Following restoration work that began in the late 1990s the hotel was renovated while preserving its historical fabric and reopened in 2010. Today it remains one of the most sought-after destinations for guests seeking both luxury accommodation and a historic atmosphere. The hotel also features museum-style rooms period furniture and special exhibitions.

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• First hotel in Istanbul with electric elevators
• Room 101 where Atatürk stayed is preserved as a museum
• Connection to Agatha Christie’s work
• One of the key stops on the Orient Express route