Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah

We loved it here! The staff at breakfast made us very welcome and helped us with a surprise birthday cake and candle - thank you Efe!

I had great staying in pera palace, mr baran was very friendly and helpful, all the stuff was very good and friendly, will recommend strongly.

We were there for about a week last May. This is the oldest hotel in the city built initially for Orient Express passengers in the Pera/Galata district some 15-20 minutes by taxi from Hagia Sophia and that area. Take care not to take a taxi from the hotel itself or give the hotel address on your return as the drivers notoriously cheat given you will be considered a “wealthy” tourist. Best to give them the nearby taxi stand address as your destination or walk left a couple of meters up to there for your outbound journey. The cost shouldn’t exceed 10-15 Euro or equivalent one way. If they cheat (50% of cases in our experience), give only what is due and get off. The room we had was on the top floor facing the west and Golden Horn. What a great view! It was comfortable, nicely furnished, quiet, clean with some tasteful old fittings in the bathroom and a balcony to enjoy the view after your peregrinations with a glass of G&T. Bath robes and slippers included. Minibar paid extra. You may have to ask to stock it up with what you specifically want. Toiletries were of good quality. There was a minor problem with air-conditioning, which the engineers solved to our satisfaction though it couldn’t be regulated. The staff, all of it, was always exceedingly polite, helpful and spoke English. Breakfast was nice and we enjoyed it. On the one occasion we had dinner there the food was good but not outstanding, the service invariably polite but altogether the affair was somewhat expensive and you can eat out in nearby restaurants just as good but at only half the price. I would definitely recommend a drink in the delightful oriental lounge. It gets closed for afternoon tea, though, so check first. The tea we didn’t find sufficiently enticing; too much food (undoubtedly delicious) is on offer at the tea if you want to also enjoy dinner afterward. Instead, you can opt for some sweets of your own choosing at a stylish hotel café. There is also spa with an indoor pool for your relaxation. In the hotel you will find a small museum to Kamel Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey, which is well worth a visit. Bosphorus cruises recommended by the hotel are very good. If you want to save some money just hop on one of the numerous ferries that cross it regularly-these are quite unforgettable, too. The legendary hotel is old but thoroughly modernized, has and undeniable oriental flavour, the staff is very attentive and we would come back there any time.

Having stayed at this hotel several times before we decided to visit for afternoon tea. During a short visit to Istanbul Wow! The food was simply stunning. We were looked after by Omer T who served our tea selection beautifully. He is an absolute credit to the hotel. We also dined in the bar in the evenings and again found all the members if staff so friendly and helpful. The best hotel in Istanbul by far.

We came to Pera Palace to have lunch on our daughter’s birthday and we had such a wonderful day starting from our step in till the last moment we left. Thanks to Şevketcan, who kindly directed us to Agatha restaurant, then hosted us in the Ptisserie de Pera, and thanks to Umut Idil who rode us up on the 100 plus year old (Turkey’s first) elevator, a marvelous feeling.