Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Just got back from a great trip to Instanbul and wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone at the Hotel, from the moment we arrived to the moment we left (including the late check out which made our last day very easy) the whole experience was first class. Rooms were lovely, service was excellent and they helped us have a fantastic experience in Instanbul! While all the staff were brilliant I wanted to mention the staff at the Concierge desk (Zeki, Ugur, Sinan, Baris, Onder and Emre), absolutley fantastic. Every request was dealt with perfectly, amazing restaurant recommendations (brilliant tables at the time we wanted), great trips/tours and super helpful at all times. Can't wait to come back!

The Palace granduer/location and charm of this hotel cant be faulted but the challenge this hotel has is it needs to listen to its guests and be a lot more diligent to what it is saying/doing rather than just saying random things to guests. On arrival we mentioned to the checkin team we would like to use Discovery dollars to clear our bill we were told thats fine - upon checkout we had a late checkout being titanium members and were told we could settle the bill later - again we mentioed do not use the CC on file use Discovery Dollars we were told thats fine - then as we had booked a late spa we were told we cant pay at checkout after the spa and the spa receptionist was having none of it - infact she was borderline rude after spending 600 euros in an hour or so - that was quite shocking - then speaking with a front desk manager we were told they have closed the bill and used the Card we told them not to use - then as we are leaving we get told we cant use Discovery dollars for the payment but can use a small amount - apparently some Kempinski rule we were told (where that came from i dont know) by this time we were tired of listening to a team at the front desk who clearly do not know what to say or do and just wanted to leave . when we first got to our room there was a complimentary bottle of wine we mentioned to 3 differnt teams - the luggage team then later to room service and then to front desk saying we dont drink alcohol ( The whole world does not believe it or not ) we even said to room service send us a cup of tea that would be fine guess what nobody bothered doing anyting. the other challenge in a hotel of this capacity which was a little shocking is the lack of vegetarian options (again the whole world does not eat meat or fish and has moved on) and really did not do the Kempinski brand any justice here. in fact it put us off booking a Kempinski at our next destination in a week or so. the only place open to sit and have even a soft drink (besides a formal restaurant) was a cigar lounge and if you dont smoke really does not work.. when someone is at this level of hotel and basic amenities and understanding are not there then you do worry for a brand like Kempinski.. also if you have a loyality programme and your team dont understand it then why bother.

Staying at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were transported into a world where Ottoman grandeur meets world-class hospitality. The setting is spectacular — right on the Bosphorus, with views that look like they’re straight out of a dream. The palace itself is a masterpiece, steeped in history, yet every part of the hotel is impeccably maintained and elegantly modernized without losing what it really values and stands for. What truly sets this place apart, though, is the service. Every staff member we interacted with was gracious, intuitive, and genuinely warm. We never felt like unwelcomed guests as we did at the Mandarin, our American nationality never phased them — we felt like honored visitors. Our executive suite was spacious, beautifully appointed, and had a pool with the river view that made it hard to leave. Additionally the pool on the Bosphorus is a completely elegant experience in itself. This hotel doesn’t just meet expectations — it exceeds them in every possible way. If you’re visiting Istanbul and want to experience the city’s hospitality at its absolute finest, Çırağa Palace Kempinski is the only place to stay.

We enjoyed all aspects of this hotel so some not so much because of off season. But our room was one of the very,very best we have ever stayed in….beautifully decorated and executed.!!!

Our recent stay at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul was outstanding. The hotel is truly stunning, blending historic grandeur with refined luxury. Our room overlooked the Bosphorus, and the view alone made the stay unforgettable. The room was beautifully decorated, thoughtfully designed, and extremely comfortable. The public spaces are pristine and architecturally impressive. Breakfast each morning was exceptional, with an extensive buffet featuring both local Turkish specialties and international options. The service team was warm, attentive, and very accommodating. We were especially impressed with the Concierge team, who provided invaluable guidance for sightseeing and restaurant recommendations. A special thank you to the concierge Seneen for the personal attention and to Fatush, the excellent guide recommended by the hotel, who made exploring Istanbul both seamless and memorable. We would absolutely return.