Unique Accommodation Istanbul

Looking for a unique place to stay on your next visit to Istanbul? Then look no further than the Hotel Pera Palace, an historic four-star hotel in Istanbul's Tepebaşı neighbourhood of the Beyoğlu (Pera) district. Dating back to 1892, the hotel was in fact built for passengers of the Orient Express, the legendary long-distance passenger trains that formerly linked Paris and Istanbul. The hotel proudly holds the title of the "Oldest European Hotel of Turkey" and although it's currently closed due to extensive renovations, it's set to reopen in April 2010. The conservation and upgrade of the hotel is envisaged to bring it once again to an internationally recognised high standard, but all the while maintaining the links with its grand past.

This Istanbul hotel has been host to a number of famous guests, from statesmen and rulers, to singers and celebrities. Some of the great names include Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, King George V of England, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. However, the list doesn't end there and more recently the Pera Palace hotel has welcomed President Giscard d'Estaing of France, President Tito of Yugoslavia, Jacqueline Kennedy, Rita Hayworth, and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Even so, the hotel's most famous guest doesn't come from the ranks of the world's most esteemed leaders, but in fact is a renowned literary figure. Author Agatha Christie frequently visited the hotel, and room number 411 has been preserved in her honour, as it is thought that she wrote her gripping novel Murder on the Orient Express in this very location.

More about the Orient Express

Despite there being several trains throughout history with this name, the most widely regarded was the one that linked Paris and Istanbul. These days, the "Orient Express" starts at Strasbourg and finishes in Vienna, a mere shadow of the original route. The route was only recently shortened to Strasbourg, as the last Paris-Vienna overnight service ran in 2007. The Orient Express has a fascinating history, and one that is inextricably linked with the intrigues of 20th century Europe. From a Paris hotel near the Gare de Strasbourg it was possible to access seemingly unlimited options in the East: Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, Varna, Istanbul. The first journeys to Istanbul were completed with the aid of a ferry service from Varna, Bulgaria. It was even possible to travel to Athens from Budapest, through Belgrade. With the opening of the Simplon Tunnel in 1919, the train was able to take a more southerly route through Milan, Venice, and Trieste, and passing through Belgrade and Sofia en route to Istanbul.

If you're searching for unique holiday opportunities online, there's always more in store. From recreating the great rail routes of old, to discovering all there is to see around the Golden Horn, or even taking in a sample of European art, culture, and history, an innovative vacation awaits. Take the hassle out of travel planning and be sure to pre-book all your accommodation in Istanbul, bed & breakfasts in Budapest, or hotels in Rome online, and in advance, through a reputed booking agency.

This hotel is great if you are looking for a luxury holiday, but if you are planning a trip to view property in Istanbul and are unlikely to spend a lot of time in your hotel, there is a fantastic variety of alternative accommodation in and around the city centre.