On one side, Zagreb’s apple of the eye, Esplanade Zagreb Hotel and on the other, the pearl of İstanbul, Pera Palace Hotel. These two iconic hotels, which have become symbols of history and luxury, came together for a special event and offered their guests an unforgettable night. Behind this meeting, an elegant bond stemming from their shared past was evident: Orient Express. If you wish, let’s discover the story of this historical train that spans time, the connection between the two hotels and the train and the details of the special meeting together.

 

The First Luxury Train in European History: Orient Express

Setting out with a luxury concept worthy of palaces, Orient Express was brought to life by the French railway company Wagons-Lits. The train, which made its first journey on October 4, 1883, hosted the nobles, diplomats and writers of the period, reducing journeys that would take months by car to just 80 hours. The Orient Express, which traveled between Paris and İstanbul, offered its guests a unique travel experience by passing through important stops such as Milan, Vienna, Budapest and Venice.

However, travel was not limited to trains. The issue of accommodation was at least as important as the journey. In this case, it was necessary to build hotels that would fit the elegance and reputation of the train on the routes the Orient Express had passed through. While hotels that could meet the expectations of passengers accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle were being built, a hotel offering the same level of elegance and comfort was also needed in İstanbul, the final stop for the train. This expectation was met with the Pera Palace Hotel, built in the heart of İstanbul in 1895 and quickly becoming the symbol of the city. Serving under the same roof as the Orient Express, this hotel offered passengers that were coming to İstanbul a unique accommodation experience that combined elegance with luxury.

The Orient Express used to stop in Zagreb while traveling on the Paris-Venice-İstanbul route in the early 20th century. Although the company wanted to provide comfortable accommodation to its passengers at this stop, the existing facilities of the city did not meet expectations. In response to this need, the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel opened its doors in 1925 and quickly became one of the iconic structures in the city.

 

Zagreb’s Icon: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

Located in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, Esplanade Zagreb Hotel has stood out as one of Europe’s most popular accommodation spots since it opened in 1925. Originally built to accommodate passengers of the Orient Express, the hotel is still a cornerstone of luxury accommodation today.

One of the most iconic structures of Zagreb, Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, also plays an important role in international relations. The hotel, which has hosted elegant invitations and special shows for years, continues this tradition today. The most magnificent balls of the city, organizations, galas and diplomatic receptions are held at this hotel. The elegant architecture of the hotel also plays a significant role in its preference for these events. Offering an extraordinary combination of Art Deco and Secession styles, the hotel maintains its strong place among the most fascinating structures of the city.

Throughout history, there have been many famous names that have made a name for themselves throughout their careers. For example, the world-famous rock band The Rolling Stones stayed here during their Croatia concerts. The legendary name of jazz music, Louis Armstrong, the unforgettable star of Italian cinema, Sophia Loren and former US President Richard Nixon are among the other distinguished guests of the hotel.

 

The Pearl of İstanbul: Pera Palace Hotel

Hosting world-famous names and taking on the historical burden of İstanbul, Pera Palace Hotel opens the doors to a completely different world. Standing out with its elegant atmosphere, the hotel has a special place as the first hotel in Turkey that meets European standards.

The hotel, which is the symbol of İstanbul, also stands out with its architecture. Carrying traces of Art Nouveau and Neoclassical styles with traditional Ottoman motifs, Pera Palace Hotel has been hosting important events since the day it launched. It is possible to say that diplomatic events, especially during the Second Constitutional Era and the Republic Period, were held at Pera Palace Hotel. Today, it continues to host important events while making a name for itself with its unique history and architecture, which has even been the subject of TV series.

Just like Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, Pera Palace Hotel has hosted countless famous names throughout history. The rooms where important names stayed have been transformed into theme rooms in their memory. Guests that were staying at the hotel include Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie, Pierre Loti, Alfred Hitchcock, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet İnönü, Celal Bayar, King Edward VIII. of England and Queen Elizabeth II.

 

A Unique Meeting: The 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner of Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

Pera Palace Hotel and Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, two distinguished hotels of Orient Express, brought together their similar backgrounds at an unforgettable gastronomy night that was held in April. The 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner held on behalf of the 100th anniversary of Esplanade Zagreb Hotel was a delicious salute to the shared story of two legendary hotels and two cities.

The Kitchen Director of the Pera Palace Hotel Chef Uğur Alparslan and his team took on an important role in this special event. The team, which blended the unique flavors of traditional Ottoman cuisine with modern touches, offered their guests an unforgettable taste experience. Traditional appetizers, seafood pie with dates and pistachios, lamb cutlet, roasted eggplant, aşure and handmade Turkish delights, such as the dazzling flavors of Turkish cuisine, took their place on the tables one by one. It is also possible to say that this event, which was held with the contributions of the Turkish Embassy in Zagreb, the Croatian Consulate General in İstanbul and Turkish Airlines, has once again strengthened the cultural ties between Turkey and Croatia.

You can have a pleasant day where you will witness history and discover unique flavors at the Pera Palace Hotel, the representative of this meaningful event in İstanbul. Contact Pera Palace Hotel to get more detailed information about the hotel and its services and make your reservation right away.

You might also be interested in these articles:

• A Journey to History: The Orient Express Story
• Top 10 Fine-Dining Restaurants in İstanbul
• The 10 Most Delicious and Special Meals of the Ottoman Palace Cuisine
• Famous Guests of The Pera Palace Hotel
• A Magnificent Witness to History: Pera Palace Hotel