Çırağan faces the hilltop Topkapi at top right across the Bosphorus.
Çırağan MEETS Topkapi
OUR COUPLE ON THE BOSPHORUS While Four Seasons has one property next to Çırağan, many savvy travelers prefer the intimate setting of the Four Seasons Sultanahmet. The serenity within Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district is notable at the 65-room boutique hotel that was orig- inally designed as a prison and is just steps from iconic land- marks, including Topkapi itself. Bill and Carolyn Stevens recently previewed the hotel and not- ed, “Istanbul truly is a captivating city where East meets West in a seamless blend of history and modernity. From savoring a tra- ditional Turkish breakfast overlooking the Bosphorus to enjoy- ing a leisurely lunch in the vibrant markets of Asia, the city offers
Sultan Abdulaziz replaced the old Çırağan Palace with the present footprint between 1863 and 1867. By contrast, the construction of Topkapi Palace (meaning Cannon Gate) was ordered by the Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror beginning in 1459, six years after the con- quest of Constantinople (Istanbul). The two palaces eye each other across the Bosphorus - with the newer operated by the hotelier Kem- pinski while the older serves as a museum of the former administra- tive center of the Ottoman Empire and main residence of its Sultans. While it might be difficult to impress after a visit to Topkapi’s diamond and gold-laden Imperial Treasury immortalized in the 1964 film Top- kapi where Actress Melina Mercouri portrays the thief Elizabeth Lipp in her quest to steal the emerald-encrusted dagger of Sultan Mah- mud I, Çırağan competes as a hospitality doyenne of the near east. Kempinski, which has not diluted its vision of the sublime like many
a unique experience that bridges conti- nents and epochs. Staying at The Four Seasons near iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, one can’t help but feel immersed in centu- ries of rich cultural heritage. It’s a place where every corner whispers tales of empires past, and where the warmth of its people adds a special charm to every exploration. Istanbul is indeed a destination that leaves a lasting im- pression, inviting travelers to indulge in its sights, sounds, and flavors with a sense of wonder and discovery.”
of its major hotel chain competitors in the affluent tourism travel sector, is passionate about creating and crafting rich, meaningful and mem- orable experiences for every guest. One of the unusual components of the hotel’s Palace Suites includes soap service, an old tradition dating back to the ancient water therapies of the Turkish bath.
Regency | 5
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker