Çirağan Palace Kempinski

Created for sultans in the mid-nineteenth century, briefly the Turkish parliament, burnt to the ground in 1910, re-built in 1991 as a luxury hotel, patronised by royalty and celebrities, Çiragan Palace is as magnificent as they come. With 300m of facade overlooking the Bosphorus (and huge ships travelling to and fro the Black Sea), the restored palace houses the Tugra restaurant, enormous reception rooms and VIP suites, whilst the separate, modern, bland, E-shaped block contains well-furnished bedrooms, that come with a choice of pillow softness, lengthy corridors, further places to eat, conference rooms and a spa and wellness centre. A beautiful, huge, infinity pool runs close to and in parallel with the water. Staff are everywhere and unfailingly attentive. The best, and most expensive, rooms are those whose balconies face directly on to the glorious Bosphorus and allow views back to the Golden Horn and a glimpse of Aya Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World.