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travel
timeless elegance
From tales of legendary guests to incredible antique features,
intrigue and mystery can be found in Istanbul, reports Claire Hill.

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travel
era Palace Hotel Jumeirah has welcomed many VIPs and
high-profile figures through its doors since it opened in 1892. The impres-
sive roll call includes the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock, Paulo
Coelho and, of course, Agatha Christie. In 1917, the founder of modern-day
Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, paid his first visit and room 101, the corner
suite, subsequently became his preferred choice. On what would have been
his centenary in 1981, the room was converted into a museum. Today, 101
is only opened for visitors and contains Atatürk’s personal belongings (such
as his Panama hat, silk shirts and reading glasses). Staff continue to collate
items related to Atatürk and those pertinent to the early 20th century period
(including books, magazines, carpets and medals). Room 101 is thought to
be one of the world’s only museum suites in a hotel.
For fans of Agatha Christie, the renowned author who wrote the famous
detective novel Murder on the Orient Express, a visit to room 411 is essential.
Legend has it that she was so inspired by her trip to the city, Christie penned
the novel in that very room. Part of the property’s fascinating history, 411
was renamed after her.
There are many other features which add to the hotel’s charm. It was the
first building in Istanbul to have electricity and the first public building to
offer visitors an electric lift. The elegant staircase was even specially designed
with shallow steps to make it easier for guests who preferred to walk to the
ground floor.
Today the luxurious food and beverage outlets also have an added touch of
mystique. Guests who dine in the Agatha restaurant can sample dishes influ-
enced by three of the most famous stops on the Orient Express with the fin-
est in French, Italian and Turkish cuisine. The marble floor and sparkling
chandeliers still convey the restaurant’s old world charm while innovation
in the kitchen has brought modern touches of luxury to the restaurant. The
restaurant houses a beautiful wine cellar complete with a quote from Ernest
Hemingway.
One little known fact is the story behind the silverware that’s in use in
Agatha’s and some of the property’s other outlets. The original silver-
ware was actually discovered in a secret room during a major refur-
bishment when the hotel changed ownership in 2006. The new own-
er’s lawyer found a door behind a cupboard in the kitchen. When the
cupboard was moved, it revealed a double chain lock, which when bro-
ken showed a hidden room. An incredible collection of 6,000 pieces of
silverware was discovered.
Further investigation revealed a total of 3,910 pieces were Christofle, a
French manufacturer of fine silver flatware. Some was still in its origi-
nal packaging. Shortly after the re-opening of the hotel in 2010, a rep-
resentative from Christofle was invited to Istanbul to inspect the sil-
verware. Most of the items were engraved with monograms of the Pera
Palace, including a large oval beef wagon trolley, soufflé pans, tea strain-
ers, lemon squeezers, salt cellars, crumb sweepers, cutlery and dishes.
The manufacturing dates were from 1887 to 1959 – the date of the last
known order of Christofle.
Today the pieces are delightfully used across a number of outlets, includ-
ing the Patisserie de Pera. Elegantly decorated in art nouveau style,
this is a little piece of France in the heart of Istanbul. It’s a place where
gourmet coffee and tea is served on fine china and guests can indulge
in handmade chocolates and delicious French pastries. Guests might
also spot the silverware in the Kubbeli Saloon tea lounge, particularly
during the traditional afternoon tea service. This authentic touch offers
guests the chance to experience the timeless elegance of Pera Palace
Hotel Jumeirah. jumeirah.com
By Claire Hill, PR manager and copywriter, Jumeirah Group. On a weekly
basis, new stories about Hill’s travels from across the luxurious world of Jumeirah
will be posted on the Jumeirah blog. Every month, her highlights will appear
here. For more information, visit experiencejumeirah.com
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