Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
Grand imperial palace with Ottoman heritage at its core — marble columns, Venetian chandeliers, hammam-style bathrooms, and headboards adorned with Çintemani motifs. The newly redesigned hotel building blends mother-of-pearl furniture and Ebru-inspired fabrics with modern comfort. Big-statement luxury that leans theatrical rather than minimalist.
Book a Bosphorus-view room in the hotel wing if the palace suites are out of range — many have private balconies and panoramic views of the Asian shore
Why It Matters
The only Ottoman imperial palace and hotel on the Bosphorus. Home to the Sultan Suite — nearly 400 sqm, one of the most expensive suites globally — plus the world's only registered helipad on the Bosphorus and the biggest Viennese Baroque-style chandelier in the world at 2.7 tonnes. The Tuğra Restaurant is Michelin Guide-recommended with three Gault&Millau toques. Royals, heads of state, and celebrities have made this their Istanbul address since 1991.
The only Ottoman imperial palace converted into a hotel on the Bosphorus, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul sits on the European shore of the strait between Beşiktaş and Ortaköy. Sultan Abdulaziz commissioned the Balyan family to build it using the finest marbles and mother-of-pearl from around the world, and it finally opened in 1871 before a fire gutted the interior in 1910. After decades of neglect — including a stint as Beşiktaş football club's stadium — it reopened as a luxury hotel in 1991 following full restoration. The hotel building is freshly redesigned, the palace wing holds 11 private suites, and the centerpiece Sultan Suite at nearly 400 sqm is routinely listed among the most expensive in the world.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Çırağan Bosphorus View Room
Newly redesigned rooms with a 45-degree angled Bosphorus view. Ottoman grace in the details — Çintemani headboards, coffered geometric ceilings, and grey-on-grey inlaid marble bathrooms. Not a full-frontal view, but you're still looking at the water. Up to 3 guests.
34 sqmDeluxe Çırağan Bosphorus View Room
The largest standard room category at 66 sqm, with a direct, unobstructed Bosphorus view. Four guests can fit. Everything the Grand Deluxe offers in terms of redesigned Ottoman detailing, but with considerably more floor space and the extra person capacity that makes it work well for families or guests who need room to spread out.
66 sqmGrand Deluxe Çırağan Bosphorus View Room
One of the flagship hotel-wing rooms, 50 sqm with a panoramic, full-frontal Bosphorus view. Redesigned under the vision of Ottoman art expert Serdar Gülgün — mother-of-pearl furniture, tulip-patterned motifs, bronze four-poster beds in select configurations, and marble bathrooms with grey-on-grey inlay. Three guests maximum.
50 sqm
Lilium Garden
A generous 55 sqm room looking out over the palace gardens rather than the Bosphorus. Good pick if you want the space without paying for a water view, or if street-facing noise is a concern. Design follows the Ottoman Charbagh (four-garden) aesthetic.
55 sqmPalace Suites (11 suites)
All 11 suites in the restored historical Çırağan Palace building, ten of which are maisonette-style duplex configurations. Large original sash windows, high ceilings, and views of the Bosphorus, historical peninsula, palace courtyard, or park. Soft color palettes give a more residential warmth than the ornate drama of the hotel building. Private terraces. Guests receive 24/7 butler service, Rolls Royce city transfers (Sultan Suite), and the ceremonial olive oil soap service on arrival.
Pasha Suite
Mirrors the Royal Ottoman Suite configuration — two bedrooms, octagonal dining room, living room, three balconies — with the same Bosphorus-inspired color palette and onyx marble private hammam. Both the Royal Ottoman and Pasha Suites receive the 24/7 butler service and the palatial soap ceremony.
Royal Ottoman Suite
Two-bedroom suite in the hotel building with an octagonal dining area, living room, and three balconies. Decor channels the Bosphorus in pastel blues, greenish blues, and celadon. The master bedroom has a bronze four-poster bed modeled on ancient palace architecture. Bathrooms are specially crafted onyx marble with a private Turkish hammam and steam room. Butler delivers a ceremonial handmade olive oil soap service on arrival.
Sultan Suite
Nearly 400 sqm on Floor 2 of the historical palace, overlooking the Bosphorus. Two decorative fireplaces, regal chandeliers, marble columns, replicas of paintings by palace artist Fausto Zonaro, and floor-to-ceiling windows. 19th-century Ottoman imperial-style furniture made in Türkiye. All furniture and accessories with Ottoman motifs. Consistently recognized among the most expensive and luxurious suites in the world. Guests get a dedicated 24/7 butler and chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Silver Shadow for all city transfers throughout the stay.
400 sqmYıldız Room
The smallest room in the hotel, but still redesigned with Ottoman-era motifs, Ebru-inspired seat fabrics, and hammam-style marble bathroom. Garden-facing rather than Bosphorus-facing — the trade-off is quiet and a view of Yıldız Park. Works well for solo travelers or couples who plan to spend most of their time outside the room.
32 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
9 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The in-house Baklava Room, staffed by chefs from Gaziantep, produces over 15 tonnes of baklava per year in more than 15 varieties — pistachio, walnut, chocolate, coffee, chestnut custard, lemon, forest fruits. Palace Shop ships them out for guests to take home.
The hotel has the only registered helipad on the Bosphorus, making it possible to arrive — or depart — by helicopter. A genuinely unique arrival experience in Istanbul.
The hotel can be reached by private yacht directly from the Bosphorus — one of only three arrival methods (alongside limousine and helicopter).
An outdoor picnic on the palace's 47,600 sqm grounds with colorful cushions, Bosphorus views, and the full palace food-and-beverage selection. Positioned for birthdays, special celebrations, and family gatherings with full service.
A fully private dinner set under the palace's palm trees beside the infinity pool, with romantic decor, Bosphorus views, and a bespoke menu. Arranged for couples.
A private dining experience set inside the palace amid antique candelabras, 19th-century carafes, and an imperial silver coffee set monogrammed by an Ottoman Sultan. Staff wear specially embroidered historical uniforms, and the table is set with laced plates and exclusive palace cutlery. Each event has a unique story and presentation.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Round-the-clock business center on property, plus 20 meeting rooms with advanced technology for events and conferences.
20 private function rooms with advanced technology for meetings, congresses, and high-profile events. The banquet team has won Gault&Millau's 'Best Banquet' award.
Private 24/7 butler service available for all Palace Suite guests and top hotel suites. Includes arrival ceremony with Ottoman sherbet and classical music, ceremonial olive oil soap service, and bespoke requests throughout the stay.
Fitness center on property within the spa complex.
The hotel's grounds span 47,600 sqm — equivalent to roughly eight football stadiums — with palace gardens, palm trees, event lawns, and the Bosphorus waterfront. Used for weddings, events, the outdoor pool, and the picnic experience.
Open 365 days a year on the Bosphorus waterfront. Heated in winter, so you genuinely can swim year-round. One of the most memorable pools in Istanbul given the location and the palace backdrop.
Indoor swimming pool and whirlpool within the Sanitas Spa facility.
On-site pastry shop and retail outlet carrying handmade chocolates, baklava, Turkish delights, macarons, and the exclusive Atelier Rebul x Çırağan Palace fragrance collection. Also available for online delivery.
The only registered helipad on the Bosphorus — unique to this hotel in all of Istanbul.
The original 19th-century Turkish bath from the palace construction survived the 1910 fire — the engraved wall decorations and columns are authentic. Now used both as a spa facility and for private events.
BUILD YOUR CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI ISTANBUL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning