Pera Palace Hotel, Istanbul

The hotel has retained a lot of its historical features which give it character. The location is perfect for exploring the city and the rooms are large, airy and very comfortable with big bathrooms. Chocolates every day is a nice touch and the staff are friendly and helpful.

The bar was closed for the duration which was a shame and although there was plenty of choice of food options for breakfast, fresh fruit was lacking despite there being an abundance in the markets

Everything

Nothing

Fabulous historic property. Great location for centre Lovely rooms. Amazing bedding. Good staff. Fabulous bar area.

Breakfast was 20 euros each (if you pay on checkin) Which is a saving on normal 30 euros each. We both found it extremely disappointing. Hot food was bland/tasteless. Pastries not great. Typical ‘corporate’ quality. Shame

Wonderful

Magical: very old-school Istanbul, classy, authentic, elegant.

Everything was excellent.

It’s a nice historical hotel. Location is very nice and close to everything.

Nothing

The location is in Pera, just a few minutes from the Istiklal street and Galata tower. The hotel is historic, beautifully decorated late 19th C and recently completely refurbished in an elegant style.

Nothing to complain about.

it's a museum.

for a late wakeup, bring earplugs.

Historical hotel. Beautiful lobby and floors. Luxurious

Nothing

We had a wonderful stay and really appreciated the kindness of the staff, esp Tekin bey and Derya hanım. We loved the historical exhibits and atmosphere - what a special place 🙏

Our AC didn’t turn on; when we complained, it was speedily repaired, but then it wouldn’t turn off (would spontaneously turn on again). Also there was a v loud wedding directly under our room until midnight one night, but staff were responsive and helpful.

Ambience

Lack of an a la carte breakfast made us look for another choice.

The location was excellent; the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The building itself was beautiful with lots of interesting history attached.

I kept losing wi-fi connection especially in the room; however staff were always willing to help me

Loved the history and the feel of this classic hotel. The staff was wonderful. We had an amazing corner room looking over the Golden Horn.

I was underwhelmed by the breakfast. Wasn’t bad, just wasn’t great. Otherwise we loved everything about our stay.

The old building and history is amazing. Great facilities

Historical property with many original features, lovely public rooms.

Many tourists there just to see the history

The helpful staff are lovely , and we appreciated the careful curation of the hotel's historic assets, which are fantastic. Like being in a film set ( specifically, the ground floor's red velvet- decked afternoon tea room and atmospheric bar). Excellent varied breakfast and generous snack provision in room. Pleasant, restful spa/ pool facilities & vcomfy bed.

Unfortunately it was noisy from thumping beats coming from the roof disco-terrace of the modern hotel diagonally across the street .Yes, it was Sat night, but it lasted til 12.30am. Not the Pera's fault, but perhaps consider triple glazing on rooms that side. Also, curtain was way too narrow to stretch the width of window (a minor point).

The views from the room were spectacular and we enjoyed a beautiful fresh breeze through the French doors. The bed was also extremely comfortable. We received a very warm welcome at reception and the service from the staff was outstanding. We were even given a quick tour of the Agatha Christie room by a very generous staff member. The ride in the historic elevator was really special as was our relaxing visit to the Orient Bar for a few drinks.

Nothing! We love the Pera Palace and hope to stay there again some day.

Great atmosphere, great people. Many thanks especially to Rachel and Esma.

Breakfast was good

After paying a good amount got the room they did not include breakfast unless it was paid for which I felt was quite cheap for a hotel of that standard , most hotels in Turkey come with a breakfast included

Enjoyable stay at this historical hotel. Loved the possibility to check historical rooms, ride the oldest electrified lift in Turkey, and how the whole atmosphere and decor of the hotel harkened back to the old times, before the WWII. Staff was super-professional, gentle, and welcoming. The quality and attention of how we were served was really something out of a movie. Special thanks to (in no particular order) Kemal, Rachel, Enes and Selim. Sorry if I missed anybody but these were the ones we dealt with the most. Breakfast was good but not exceptional. Good variety, but normal choice for a 5 stars hotel. Room was beautifully decorated, with decent space, a beautiful bathroom, and a nice view on the streets of the neighborhood. From the third floor, it was decently quiet at night but if you are a light sleeper the noise from the street will wake you up sometimes. Location is otherwise great, right in the middle of a lively quarter, with metro and funicolar stops 5 minutes away by foot.

The spa area was well-kept, great sauna facilities, but the pool seemed neglected. The water was nearly cold and the jacuzzi did not work. Coffee at breakfast was just ok. It would be great for an hotel of this grade to have proper quality coffee, perhaps offering Turkish coffee on demand. While the restaurant was awesomely decorated, it was often busy with events while we were there and we couldn't enjoy it. Not the hotel's fault but be warned that this hotel is popular and hosts often events closed to the main public.

First of all, I really liked the fact that the hotel managers read my letter and moved me to the floor I wanted. I liked the view from the window, the comfortable bed (I sleep on an orthopedic mattress, and here the bed and pillows exceeded all expectations), then it's very good that, in addition to the shower, there is also a bathtub, I love hotels where there is a choice in the room and the toilet is separated by a partition, I also liked the wooden door to the bathroom a room. And all this with very noble colors of the ceiling and walls, solid furniture.

One day, the attendant, a man who was carrying suitcases, asked if we were guests at the Pera Palace Hotel... Apparently, outsiders also enter the hotel somehow. But it is better for the staff to behave more with the hotel guests.

The room was very spacious, quiet and comfortable. The cleaning lady was so friendly.

The WiFi is unstable and the coffee and tea supplies in the room were never re-stocked unless we asked. Honestly, I’m not sure this hotel is worth the price.

Classical, if that’s your thing. But the staff are serious about their work and about providing an excellent, classical service.

I like an easier internet access. Less taking information etc. and having to do each time

Just downright excellent ... made to feel most welcome!

The location is great if you are here for leisure. Just walking around in any of the common areas gives a feeling that your stay is an occasion, a joyful experience and you can't help but want to take your time to explore everything the hotel has to offer. The room itself isn't the biggest, but absolutely sufficient. Staff are very accommodating and almost all of them fluent in English. Breakfast was very fresh and delicious. I would definitely recommend visiting Istanbul and Pera Palace above any other hotel!

The mattress was too soft for my liking while the pillows too firm.

Excellent staff environment history and location. Efficient friendly responsive front desk and concierge ; Lin , selim, Rachel Derya and Tekin all stand out. The renovated spa was great!

Acknowledging more the Greek history; for example in the photo of Inonu the patriarch’s name is not mentioned -and such a powerful telling photo of the glances. As this was a period of good relations it has to be celebrated..

Views, staff, room lovely, old school feel.

Up a big hill for walking, doable but after a long day out could be challenging.

Breakfast was excellent - a buffet with a very wide choice and fantastic quality. It was also very well presented and frequently refreshed.

It was hard to control the temperature in my room. Also the over-bath shower, over a sloping claw-foot bath, felt hazardous.

Everything

Amazing place, beautifully decorated. Staff incredibly assisting and polite!

Everything was beautiful

Wow! What a wonderfully historic place to stay in Istanbul. Where so many famous people stayed who arrived in the old city by Orient Express. This hotel is classy in the extreme. Our room had a small balcony overlooking the Golden Horn with spectacular evening views of the city all lit up. The library, the bar, the drawing room and the dining room - all beautifully and tastefully decorated and presented. It was a pleasure to stay here, with the attentive staff, and superb breakfast. Only five minutes walk from the metro, with buses stopping two minutes from the hotel, getting to the old city is very easy.

Only one gripe! The wifi reception in our room was quite poor. We were on the 6th floor so I don't know if its the same in all rooms but it does need to be sorted out I would say, as excellent wifi is pretty much expected today.

As usual, amazing service, ambiance (it's my 5th stay). Rooms are really nice and comfortable. The service is great, from reception, bar, room service, valet.

A minus is the quality of the internet. I wouldn't say it is a big issue because I was mostly out, but in the mornings, for planing my day, I had to rely mostly on my mobile data.

This is truly a 5 star hotel from the past and makes you feel like youre walking into history as you enter. My family loved it.

Everything was perfect

The atmosphere of the hotel and the staff that really exceed themselves just to make you feel comfortable and give that little extra pampering that makes a difference comparing to other hotels of similar level.

Nothing really..

Everything, fabulous property and I can’t wait to stay again.

Nothing. Loved every minute of our stay.

Absolutely amazing hotel! One of a kind!

Everything! Historic, quiet, aristocratic and elegant! Tea time is exceptional! Evren the Front reception manager is extremely efficient. As well as the rest of the staff such as Baran and Elgun. Safe and discreet. Old world charm. You think Agatha Christie will come down the stairs and Hemingway will be at the Orient Bar. Your home away from home.

We had a fabulous room with a view of the Bosphorous. Breakfast was varied, delicious and plentiful. The pool, gym and sauna were lovely and very welcome after a long day walking the City. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. We had a lovely stay.

I wish someone had told us that the Grand Bazaar would be closed after our first day. We hadn't asked anyone about this so maybe this is our fault! No other issues at all

Breakfast was excellent and all the staff were very good

The memory foam mattress made us too hot and the wifi was very bad, it kept dropping out so I had to log back in many times a day

Stunning property what else is there to say?

Historical vibe

The hotel is always beyond expectations. The early 20th-century atmosphere conceals a cutting-edge focus, from the lobby to the cleaning, from the spa to the restaurant. If I'm in Istanbul, for me it's Pera Palace.

Nothing

Classic hotel in the old city. Very cool

A little tired

Everything exceeded my expectations. I especially enjoyed the intimate Atatürk museum downstairs, the bar and the breakfast. Tekin and Derya gave me a warm welcome to the hotel and were extremely helpful. I don't remember the names of the other staff members, but they were all extremely welcoming.

I have probably written several reviews about this hotel already, and every time my rating remains a solid 10. Each time I say that everything here is wonderful — the staff, the food, the textiles, the cosmetics, the history, the location, the breakfasts. But this time I would like to add one more great advantage: stability. No matter what crises or events are happening in the world, Pera Palace manages to preserve impeccable safety, high quality and, most importantly in our time, humanity. The exceptional level of client care creates the feeling of a quiet oasis in the middle of a sandstorm. This time I stayed in the Greta Garbo room, and it is truly lovely. My personal favorites remain Mata Hari — for its view and elegance, Greta — for its coziness, Lotti — for its space (two rooms), and the Presidential Suite — for its oriental chic. The studio category rooms are perfect for friends traveling together, as they are quite spacious, have large wardrobes and comfortable separate beds. Hemingway, I would say, belongs to the category “for gentlemen.” In any case, each room is unique. And of course, the Orient Express Lobby Bar is a true pearl of Istanbul.

There are no real downsides, but I do feel a little sad that the restaurant hall that used to be located behind the lobby bar now functions only for private events. Most likely this decision was made for economic or technical reasons. However, in my opinion, it is a truly unique and irreplaceable place for lunch or dinner — a space of incredible beauty and aesthetics. It could easily attract outside guests and become one of the key Instagram spots in the city. That said, I am sure the management knows perfectly well what is most practical and beneficial for the hotel.

Everything

Our stay was wonderful. Our Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis suite on the top floor was very quiet and spacious, and we even had a small lovely balcony. The staff were extremely helpful and efficient. We had a small issue with the hot water on the first day, but it was resolved very quickly.

The only downside for me was the jacuzzi in the spa, which had a bit of a musty, moldy smell.

The hotel has lots of character, the staff were friendly and always helpful. The rooms are spacious, we had a nice balcony overlooking golden horn on 4th floor. There is also a gym and spa and the Orient bar is very nice.

Loved the history. Glad I got a room with a view.

Really bad WiFi.

Once again an amazing stay in Pera Palace. A truly beautiful hotel with great location and superb staff. Great and spacious rooms, we love the bathroom and breakfast is amazing!