We are proud to announce that the CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI in Istanbul is rated as 20th best international city hotel by Forbes Magazine.

The Ciragan Palace was a former summer residence for Turkish sultans in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1986 a major restoration began by the Kempinski Group to restore the ancient building to its former glory and transform it into one of the world's leading luxury hotels. The restoration took 6 years and was faithfully carried out by a small army of skilled artisans and craftsmen who worked the intricate latticework and marble by hand. The original front of the palace stretching along its own private coastline was recreated by master stonemasons. Then the New Wing was added joined to its traditional neighbor by a connecting corridor. Now the Ciragan Palace has two wings - the restored Sultan's Palace and in the spacious palace grounds, a five star modern hotel. The ancient Ciragan Palace has 12 VIP suites with their own private entrance and their own dedicated staff. Each suite is on two stories with the living room on the ground floor and bedrooms at the top of a private staircase. Rich Ottoman fabrics, precious tapestries and antique furniture create a feeling of traditional luxury and the marble-paneled bathrooms have sunken baths. Palace suites overlook the shimmering blue waters of the Bosphorus.

The hotel building has 284 rooms, 5 VIP suites plus 15 Suites, all with private balconies and magnificent views. The same strict standards of luxury and quality apply here as in the Palace building.

The Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is the only luxury hotel on the European shores of the Bosphorus overlooking Asia. We offer a luxury resort ambiance in the center of Istanbul - a diverse city, rich in history and the financial center of a leading emerging economy.

The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and has a fully equipped Fitness Center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a putting green. We are conveniently located close to Istanbul's business districts, as well as to its historic and cultural sites.

An array of restaurants offer world class dining options including Tugra, specializing in traditional Ottoman cuisine. The sumptuous banquet and meeting facilities have catered to international summits and conferences as well as Istanbul's most glamorous social events. An exclusive shopping arcade, Ciragan Bazaar and Jazz Club round out the alternatives for leisure time activities. We combine the European tradition of grand hotel service with warm Turkish hospitality. A place where you can relax and unwind.

• Number of Rooms: 304
• Children's Programs: No
• Private Club/Floor: No

* Best of the Best, 2010 guide to the World's Best Hotel Experiences. E-mail me today for your complimentary copy presented by Renshaw Travel & Cruise Concepts