Ralph Radtke, General Manager, Çirağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, says the property hosts quite a few destination Indian weddings every year

Not only does Istanbul serve as the economic and cultural hub of Türkiye, the historic city founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE by Greek settlers from Megara serves as an imperial capital for almost 1600 years. The city straddles the Bosporus Strait that lies both in Europe and Asia. It is located on one of the world’s most important waterways where stands the only Ottoman Imperial Palace and Hotel that once hosted Sultans – the Çırağan Palace with heritage that dates back to the 17th century. 

The Çırağan Hotel and Palace, which opened in 1991 as an accommodation and event venue managed by Kempinski, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group during its 125th year anniversary celebrations, includes a waterside summer villa and a marble palace. Being a landmark, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul has a total of 310 keys, including 279 rooms and 20 suites in the hotel section and 11 private palace suites in Çırağan Palace. It continues to host the most prestigious and extravagant events, meetings and weddings in Türkiye with the most beautiful indoor and outdoor venue alternatives. Since its opening, the royal-born continues to be the symbol of luxury combined with legendary Turkish hospitality and impeccable service dedicated to excellence. 

At the helm of affairs is Ralph Radtke, General Manager, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul and Regional Director of Kempinski Residences in Türkiye. Talking about the present-day hospitality market in Istanbul and how is Çırağan Palace Kempinski positioned for national and international travellers, Radtke says, “We are having a season with very high occupancy, thanks to different accommodation options and large outdoor areas offered by the property. However, it’s not just the location. The heritage is definitely creating a reason to be here. We even have a history corridor which explains our history in detail with amazing photos and how Çırağan Palace was the home of Sultans and now, our guests. The F&B options we offer in a vast variety are an important reason for us to be the first port of call for visitors. In addition, we offer a privileged service with palatial suites in the Palace section. With impeccable service quality, continually reimagined and vibrant F&B services, magnificent event venues are able to accommodate all invitations and much more, we meet the expectations of all our local and international guests to provide the level of service that luxury customers expect.”

Radtke shares the hotel is one of the best examples of balanced guest segments. In addition to being a choice for leisure and a business spot, it is one of massive meetings, events and F&B. “Banquets are the other main pillar of business in addition to rooms. With 18 meeting rooms and four outdoor event spaces, Çırağan Palace is the spot-on choice for small- and large-sized events and meetings. In summer, event scale leans more towards social events due to weddings and celebrations while in winter, it is time for MICE business,” he explains, adding that the individual restaurants at the property are also one of the most important revenue generators. “We have two on-site restaurants at the palace, with two more in the hotel side as well as a bar and a lounge. In summertime, we open one more outdoor restaurant and a bar,” he says. 

With travel priorities having changed radically for both leisure and business customers, the trends, Radkte says, he has noticed the most is the demand of Palace Suites which has increased considerably. “This legendary hotel is an iconic hospitality destination for both leisure and business travellers around the world. We have 11 Palace Suites in the historical palace that offer a royal experience in line with local tradition, featuring large sash windows, high ceilings and captivating views of the Bosphorus, the historical peninsula and the palace courtyard or the park. Guests staying in the historical palace can enjoy time on private terraces, relishing the refined tranquility of this genuinely royal experience. They are welcomed by a private butler to the sounds of classical music and served a traditional Ottoman drink and a sherbet in the foyer of their lavish suite accommodation,” he shares, adding they have revived an old tradition dating back to the ancient water therapies of Turkish bath with natural and palatial soap service for palace guests.

India market 

“Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is the very first well-known destination hotel and has been investing in the market for more than 15 years. It is also the perfect place for weddings because nothing compares to be married at a real palace facing the magnificent Bosphorus on one side and the palace facade on the other. Almost 60 per cent of weddings are destination based and we host many different international markets from different regions,” says Radtke, adding that due to new flexible travel restrictions, Indian weddings have 15 per cent ratio of this number. 

“This year, we have five booked Indian weddings and a couple of social Indian events such as birthdays and celebrations. Not only destination weddings, there are leisure stays as well. Family travel trend is also becoming popular. In addition to Istanbul, families visit Bodrum, Antalya and Cappadocia following their stay at Çırağan Palace. We are the first hotel that invested in beautiful India and since then, we have our travel networks, joint events and fairs. We believe in the Indian market and continue to engage here,” shares the man who has been a veteran in the luxury hospitality industry with 50 years of experience at iconic hotels like Ritz Paris and Belmond Hotel Cipriani as well as in more than 15 countries on the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe.

This article was published in BW hotelier issue dated '' with cover story titled 'BW HOTELIER - THE TALENT POOL SPECIAL'