Built in 1892 as an Ottoman oasis for the aristocracy who travelled the Orient Express, the Pera Palace resides amid the gritty lanes of Istanbul's Beyoglu district, formerly a Geneose trade centre. Inside, the hotel is an elegant carnival of priceless Chinese vases, mother-of-pearl cabinets and 300 plus Turkish carpets that grace its floors to the orgy of marble that fills the lobby.

Beyoglu now flourishes as a cultural centre, with the Pera Palace at the heart of its sophisticated and cosmopolitan bustle. The hotel was the first building in the district to have electricity and its splendid wooden cage elevator is the world's oldest electrically powered lift.

This is the sort of grand hotel that conjures up its ghosts. Beyond the daunting registry of kings and queens are the larger-than-life public figures shadowed in private mystiques, such as Mata Hari, Josephine Baker, Agatha Christie and Greta Garbo. Atat�rk himself was a regular guest and room 101 is now dedicated as a museum to him.

Known as the Pearl of Istanbul, the Pera Palace has recently been lovingly restored as an outstanding example of Istanbul's grand heritage. With ineffably elegant rooms and world-class dining, the hotel is an honoured addition to our Turkish Collection.