Sunday, June 21, 2009

A Hotel in Turkey...Pera Palace or Pera Palas as the locals call it


I was, once again, reading an old book I owned for over 2 decades , by my favorite writer, an American hailing from MA, Paul Theroux, yes of French Canadian origins,... through no fault of his own....lol

The book is called..." The great Railway Bazaar" ...and it's about a train trip he took from London to the Far East and back...a very fasinating story, well detailed....full of annedoctes, details of local life in the countries he visited...but most heart warming of all is how the author captures minute details of local life, dialect and mentality...

He should've have been hired by foreign policy makers in any country...which obviously did not happen.

His writing should be made mandatory reading for any foreign diplomat or any young man/woman aspiring to work in his/her country's foreign affairss department...

In his book Paul mentions a grand historical hotel he stayed at whilst in Istanbul..so I decided to find out about it ...and it turned out to be a fasinating place...here is what I found out.

The Pera Palas....


Located in the historic Pera/Modern Beyoglu, and overlooking the Golden Horn, the century-old Pera Palas Hotel was once one of the most luxurious hotels in its era.

Mystical atmosphere, element of luxury and grandeur to a "Je ne sais quoi feel" together with its architectural savy makes it still one of the World's most sought after hotels....

The Building was designed and built by Alexander Vallaury, a levantine of French origin...a very talented Architect of his time.....in Istanbul....he was assisted in this task by Henri Duray....

So who was the first owner of this historical hotel and who commisioned the famous architect to design and build it...you would have never guessed it as I also never did...an Armenian named Meguerdich Asayan...

The hotel has undergone recent renovations, but still maintains its original look and feel. and it is owned by local people who extend great service and hospitality


24 comments:

Nikos said...

I stayed there some 35 years ago - wonderful place!

John McClane said...

Sue-Lee and I stayed stayed there, ermmm, less than 35 years ago. We complained about our room. They said, why are you complaining, the English never complain. In May, when I went to check if we could stay, it was still closed.

Voegtli said...

Ah, Turkey, Istsnbul. What nice souvenirs I have. I did not stay in this hotel but another, similar one. Also overlooking the Bosporus, the Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. Istanbul is one of my three favorite cities in the world.

The two others are Saint Petersburg and Paris.

subrosa said...

I wish we had hotels of such grandeur here but most are the typical 'euro' buildings - you know the type, you could be anywhere because there's nothing of character in them.

Baron's Life said...

Nikos,
I just happened to stumble on it because of the book I'm currently reading and it struck me as odd that it was an Anatolian Armenian who actually built it. I understand it has now gone massive renovations

Baron's Life said...

John, correct me if I'm wrong...it is either undergoing or going to undergo renovations.... It is now owned by a few Turkish brothers...and they want to preserve its history

Baron's Life said...

Peter, whilst I never been to Turkey...I do agree with you...through what I read...I believe Turkey is the place to visit and to die for sorta thing...I mean in a good way...food...music...people...sight seeing and all... I'm dreaming to visit one day.

Baron's Life said...

Subrosa...you are one heck of a romantic girl...if only I could get my claws on you....lol
You'd enjoy the Raffles hotel in Singapore...a great historical hotel with a grandiose past and history...I know what you mean about wishing to have such hotels in your neck of the woods...you probably can find some...no such luck over here though.... We have to be content with Motel 8 accomodations, plastic food and artificial turfs.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing this I really enjoyed it :) Aloha

Baron's Life said...

Thom...you're DA man...buddy...zig ziggler !

Lance said...

What a beautiful hotel - thanks for sharing Baron. I can imaging this hotel beckons guests to really experience its beauty throughout, rather than so many hotels where we only experience the 4 walls of our rooms.

A Lady's Life said...

Happy Fathers Day Baron!
What a lovely hotel and deigned by an Armenian like the Raffles hotel.I loved the Raffles Hotel especially the long bar where they made the firt Singapore Sling.Apparently there is an Armenian church there as welland I think emilia Erhart's plane was lost in that area. I also read books by this author but I can't seem to recall any of the titles at this moment.
Hope you had a great day:)

Dr.John said...

That sure does look like a hotel I wouldn't mind staying in. That must be some book you have.

MedaM said...

The book that you mentioned in this post seems to be very interesting to read.
This hotel really looks luxury and beautiful, interesting and so inviting.

Dave said...

For one moment there Baron I thought you were here in Turkey mate !!

Cheers

Dave..

irondad said...

Once again when I need a break from the ordinary I find refreshment by taking time to catch up on all your recent posts!

I enjoy watching Steve Reeve's journeys, Globe Trekker, etc, on PBS. Just saw something on Morocco ( I didn't say I could spell it ). I think we all need to travel more. Let people decide on relationships between countries instead of governments.

Baron's Life said...

Lnace , this kind of hotel in the old world...is what makes the trip worth iy buddy

Baron's Life said...

LadyL...neither of these hotels were designed by Armenians...They commisioned by them.... The architects were European by today's standards darling...

Baron's Life said...

Dr. John...that book is the best I've ever read.....!

Baron's Life said...

Dave...don't you ever think...I'd be in Turkey and not visit with you and Linda...!

Baron's Life said...

MedaM...I know where you coming from darling and I love you...Yes they are great and so is their food.

Baron's Life said...

Irondad...agree with with you bud...let people decide on relationships with people...that's all it takes....!
Countries suck....! people ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS...I NEED TO FEED MY KIDS, HOUSE AND SCHOOL THEM
God Bless you brother and ride safe

irondad said...

Was that you who sent me a phone number? We had a power surge while I was opening the e-mail. One minute it was there and the next it was totally gone when the power came back!

Baron's Life said...

irondad...nope it wasn't me.