Make a reservation at Flaknuma Palace

The former residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace has been leased by the Royal Family of Hyderabad to the Taj Group of Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Guest can now experience the famed Nizam’s hospitality which was once the sole preserve of royalty.2000 feet above Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace’s 60 beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored rooms allow you to journey into the clouds and into the glided ages, where grandeur and excess is celebrated and savored in equal measure.Falaknuma Palace is also known as the ‘mirror of the sky’ because at 2000 feet, it was built in the clouds and reflects the ever-changing moods of the sky. Set in 32 acres of land and spread over 19400 square meters, the Palace was commissioned by Sir Nawab Vikar-Ul Umra, a Hyderabadi nobleman from the Paigah family.

The palace-hotel has large Venetian chandeliers, rare furniture, grand marble staircases and gurgling fountains, priceless statues, and objects d’art, stained-glass windows, unique sketches and murals encased in ornate frames, a world-class collection of crystal as well as the Mughal, Rajasthani and Japanese gardens personally conceived by the Nizam. The Palace Library, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle, is a collector’s envy as it is home to the rarest of manuscripts, books and one of the most acclaimed collections of the Holy Quran in the country, all of which were selected and brought back by the Nizam himself.

Make a reservation at Flaknuma Palace

Don Rafael fell in love with the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region and around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex that is today known as the López de Heredia bodega (winery), the oldest in Haro. The visitor’s pavilion of the winery, designed by Zaha Hadid is a modular metallic construction situated in front of the old bodega buildings, and in the future will become the visitors’ access to the bodega. It was conceived as a movable  building, and was erected to mark the 125th anniversary of the bodega in the 2002 Alimentaria Fair in Barcelona.  The pavilion also houses a stand used in the Brussels exhibition from the early 20th century.

Pera Palace Hotel opened again its doors in 2010 after an extensive renovation. Pera was once the heart of Istanbul, a cosmopolitan hub – where people of many nations lived, where many languages and dialects were spoken. And at the heart of Pera was Pera Palace Hotel. With its stunning views from Galata to the Golden Horn, from the slopes of Eyüp to Tepebasi, Pera Palace Hotel fascinated its guests then as it fascinates them today, more than a hundred years after its first opening. When the worldwide famous Orient Express chose Istanbul as its last stop in the East, Istanbul began to attract not only adventurers, but also the more elite and noble classes of Europe.  Pera Palace  in Tepebasi, which was founded in 1892 and celebrated with its grand opening ball in 1895, was home to many.  Apart from the Ottoman Palaces, it was the first building to have electricity as well as the first electric elevator.

Pera Palace Hotel was designed by Levantine architect Alexander Vallaury  in neo-classical, art nouveau and oriental styles, giving Pera Palace its timeless look . Ernest Hemingway, Greta Garbo, Queen Elizabeth II, Sarah Bernhardt, Alfred Hitchcock,  Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis and Agatha Christie were among the guests of the hotel. Pera Palace also holds the secret to the mystery of the 11 days missing in the life of world famous thriller writer Agatha Christie within its walls – the Pera Palace Hotel is said to be where she got the inspiration for her famous novel Murder on the Orient Express and a small key, probably the key to her diary was found in her favourite room 411… Original 19th Century features, including precious “White Carrara” marbles and “Murano-glass” chandeliers make Pera Palace  suites the ideal place to experience century – old heritage. To go a journey back in time, visit to Room 411, now renamed the Agatha Christie Room.

Hotel Alfonso XIII, named after King Alfonso XIII, is situated in the very centre of Seville.  The hotel opened to be the grandest hotel in Europe, was constructed to house international people for the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. Built with brick, plaster, wood, and ceramic, the ornate richness of the building is remarkable. Its recessed ceramic friezes and Mudejar-style: a historical version of the regional tradition inspired by Arab architecture.

The hotel’s décor, from the lobby to the inner-courtyard, is reflective of typical Sevillian-style. The 147 guest rooms pay homage to different eras of Seville and Spain’s layered past. Varying between Isabelline Baroque, Castilian, and Moorish-style, all have authentic antiques.�
Here you can feel the traces of another era..

 

Make a reservation at Four Seasons Florence

Four Seasons Florence, one of the most beautiful hotels in the world is located on the edge of the Florence and occupies two protected Renaissance palaces, the 15th century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the Conventino, a 16th century Palazzo, which was once a convent. Between them lie Florence’s largest private garden – the 11 acre Giardino della Gherardesca – one of the most beautiful and undiscovered green spaces.

The palace’s ornately painted and crafted interiors offer to view 15th – 19th century artworks in their original context. Frescoes, bas-reliefs, stuccoes and silk wallpapers have been carefully restored to reveal vivid detail. Original Florentine art and craftsmanship can also be found in several of the Hotel’s 117 bedrooms and suites.

Make a reservation at Four Seasons Florence

Hotels main restaurant Il Palagio,offering traditional Tuscan cooking with local  ingredients. The two-storey spa features  natural products created by Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, one of the world’s oldest pharmacies, which continues to use natural ingredients and follow the traditional recipes of monks from the 13th century. The Hotel also has an outdoor pool..This is a dream hotel in a fairy tale city where you can also find traditional  Four Seasons service, what else do you want?

Make a reservation at Four Seasons Florence

The cellars of Elciego are a good  museum in which to see the living history of the wines of Herederos del Marqués de Riscal.

The building of the first cellar began in 1858, the year the company was founded. Within these installations, now used for the maturing of wines in barrels, is the Cathedral  a cellar in which the greatest treasure of the Marqués de Riscal is kept; a unique collection of all the vintages produced by the winery since its beginnings over 149 years ago. The increase in wine production meant that the cellars had to be enlarged in 1883, an event not to be repeated until 1968 and 2000. Like the Guggenheim Museum, the building designed by Gehry is covered with titanium. In this case, however, the architect wanted to infuse his work with the signature colors of Marqués de Riscal: pink like the wine, gold like the mesh on the Riscal bottles, and silver like the bottle top.

Hoshinoya Kyoto is nestled among the mountains and rivers in beautiful Arashiyama region of Kyoto City, a traditional vacation area dating back to the Heian era (794-1185).

Upon boarding a boat from the famed Togetsukyo Bridge, among Arashiyama’s natural scenery with a fifteen-minute journey up the Oigawa River you arrive to the ryokan resort. It is said that these private waterfront residences once served as the personal dwelling and library of famed shipping merchant Ryoi Suminokura (1554-1614). Here you can take pleasure in the same ambiance of seclusion and the sophistication of Kyoto culture.
The resort inherited traditional Japanese architecture and offers a variety of opportunities to experience Japan like the self enlightenment through morning zen meditation in Buddhist temple, or Monko, a Japanese incense ceremony..

The resorts has 25 spacious rooms mixed the traditional Japanese architecture with Kyoto”"s craftsmanship and contemporary touch. All guest rooms spread out along the riverside, providing a gorgeous view of the river and mountains with trees that change colors by season.! For an authentic Japanese experience with modern comfort…

Ace Hotel owners love doing things their own way, and creating a neat experience based on a sense of place. Formerly the Breslin Hotel, the historic property that houses Ace Hotel New York has always been full of life. Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen were neighbors; “Diamond Jim” Brady (the inspiration for Marlon Brando’s Guys & Dolls character) was a regular; visionary filmmaker, musicologist and painter Harry Smith lived there, too.
Built in 1904 as part of what would become an avenue of hotels, the property was situated in the Times Square of the turn of the century—an area full of clubs and restaurants, and New York’s first neighborhood to be electrified with lighting and signage.

The unique new boutique hotel has 260 rooms, and is located near the Theater District. Ace is the low card and the high card. The basic rooms are affordable but replete with cool amenities. The big suites offer all the luxury you would expect from a high-end hotel. They appeal to a broad spectrum of travelers. The interiors designed by Roman & Williams mixing modern and vintage furnishings, objects, lighting and finishes from different eras to reflect a sense of unconventionality and freedom, a little bohemian and a little sophisticated. While the lobby is layered and historical, the rooms are more efficient.

In some rooms, a full-size Smeg-brand refrigerator, with its streamlined, vintage profile, is stocked with real food, making the rooms feel more a friend’s cool apartment than a typical hotel room. Chalkboard paint on the walls and paintings by young artists individualize each room. Ace Hotel is working with forward-thinking local businesses to make the building a hub of movement and culture. They brought in Stumptown Coffee Roasters and a restaurant from Ken and April of The Spotted Pig as a natural extension of the Ace style and way of life. Ace New York is the coolest hotel in town.

Make a reservation at Villa d”‘Este

Set on the shores of Lake Como, Villa d’Este was built in 1568 as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. The property has 25 acres of gardens, whose statues and landscape have been photographed for centuries. The design of the lower part of the gardens is from the Renaissance period. The two most outstanding landmarks are the 500 year old plane tree and the 16th century Mosaic with its Nympheum

The favourite playground of an Empress, an English queen and aristocrats,  it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873.

Continuously renovated and updated, today  the legendary resort has  152 rooms, all different in decor.  The main house built in 1568 and known as the Cardinal’s building counts 125 rooms while the trompe l’oeil masterpiece known as the Queen’s Pavilion, inaugurated in 1860 has 27 rooms. In 1873 the two Villas combined into one property became Villa d’EsteVilla Malakoff and Villa Cima are available for short term tenancies with services ranging from housekeeping to full private butler and chef service.

A beautiful 18-hole golf  course  winds its way through chestnut, ash and pine trees sheltering golfers even from the intense summer heat.

Make a reservation at Villa d”‘Este

Make a reservation at Les Ottomans

Located at the most magnificent section of the Bosphorus, the “Muhsinzade Mehmet Pasha Mansion” has been brought back to life, as “Hôtel Les Ottomans”. The  Mansion was one of the most prestigious mansions of its time and  were built where there had been remains from the time of Ahmet III, a fountain and garden sets.

After a long and sad hiatus in its history, the mansion came back to life, was converted to one of the most luxurious and exclusive hotels in Turkey. Remaining faithful to its original design on the outside, it was restructured inside as a journey from its origins in the past to the present.

This extraordinary hotel consisting of 10 original and unique prestigious suites opens its doors to welcome guests, with great Bosporus views.  The decor of the rooms combine the Ottoman tradition and the pleasures of a luxurious life that will leave guests breathless.

From and to the  airport  transfers select hotels boat Mahuu which  is the ideal speed boat for transfers to all locations on the Bosphorus.

Make a reservation at Les Ottomans

Make a reservation at Ajia

A distinguished hotel, A’jia is a traditional 19th century Ottoman mansion on the Asian shores of the Bosphorus with spectacular views of Istanbul.
With its 16 rooms that feature breathtaking scenes from the Bosphorus, each room is uniquely designed, furnished and equipped with all the latest gimmicks and amenities blending in perfectly with the timeless elegance of the 1800’s.

The A’jia restaurant is an exclusive venue with a gusto that is happy duel any “gourmet” to perfection.   Use the hotels private boat to cross to Europe site. Being between continents is a spectacular experience. .

Make a reservation at Ajia

Galleria is in the historical Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II , in the heart of the city, between Piazza Duomo with the cathedral and Piazza della Scala, the temple of music and Opera.
All the seven suites designed by  E.Mocchetti. are different by size, and each one has been individually arranged, personalized and dedicated to a famous musician of La Scala Opera.  Almost all the rooms have a splendid view of the Galleria with a stunning panorama. Under the control of the Italian Institute of Arts, all rooms has been renovated maintaining the antiques and precious decorations. Galleria has an exclusive ambiance that recreates a home-like atmosphere through unique services tailored to meet your needs and desires. In every room, there are the most exclusive of accessories: from the best Italian coffee machines to the most sought after books.

Galleria offers an enormous choice of exclusive services to its guests. Every desire can be fulfilled and every need can be satisfied even before reaching this extraordinary place. Inside this veritable ‘House of Luxury’ every single visitor is cared for by a personal butler, not only fluent in their language but who also acts as ultra efficient personal assistant. You can book through your butler the best possible events and restaurants in Milan. Wouldn’t it be great during Fashion or Design week?

Make a reservation at Eden

Eden became one of the symbols of Rome, being in this city for over 120 years. The hotel isin the city center, within a short distance of the Vatican, St. Peter’s Cathedral and Piazza Navona. In 1889 Francesco Nistelweck’s dream finally came true: the Hotel Eden at the corner of Via Porta Pinciana and Via Ludovisi  was finally ready to welcome its first guests. Since then the Eden has always been one of the centers of Rome,  visited by the celebrities like Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, Princess Teresa of Bavaria, King Alfonso XIII of Spain..�
Hotel Eden’s 121 charming guest rooms are elegantly decorated with fine Italian furnishings and have large windows providing views of Rome.�
La Terrazza restaurant and bar is located on the 6th floor, offering stunning views of the city, a comprehensive wine list and Mediterranean cuisine.

Make a reservation at Eden

Make a reservation at Mamounia

La Mamounia as a tranquil haven in the heart of Marrakech.  Located on the edge of the walls of the old city of Marrakech, La Mamounia is named after its legendary 200-year-old gardens, originally given as an 18th century wedding gift to Prince Moulay Mamoun.  Today the gardens at La Mamounia cover almost 20 acres with an enviable variety of flora and fauna. The hotel originally opened in 1923 and since has been symbolic of traditional Moroccan hospitality and a classic example of the great age of grand hotels.�
For more than 85 years, La Mamounia has been a  destination for travelers from around the globe, including royals, heads of state, film makers, musicians, actors and fashion designers like  Sir Winston Churchill,Franklin D. Roosevelt Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Princess Caroline of Monaco Nelson Mandela, Jacques Chirac, The Rolling Stones,  Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Yves Saint Laurent.  Alfred Hitchcock chose La Mamounia as the site to film The Man Who Knew Too Much with James Stewart and Doris Day.

After years long extensive restoration  led by  interior designer, Jacques Garcia La Mamounia,  re-opened its doors in 2009.  This legendary hotel,  has expanded with 136 stylish guest rooms, 71 Suites and three Riads each with three bedrooms, private terraces, Moroccan salons and a private swimming pool.   Strong use of light and color, marble columns,  vivid fabrics, soft furnishings and colorful wood, combined with theatrical perspectives.  Two 2-Michelin Star chefs, Alfonso Iaccarino and Jean-Pierre Vigato leading two of its signature restaurants.  L’Italien by Alfonso Iaccarino features modern Italian specialties, while Le Francais by Jean-Pierre Vigato specializes in French contemporary cuisine.  In addition, the 27,000 sq ft La Mamounia Spa is a must visit place.

Wake up early and stroll in the gardens before the city starts its busy day..

Make a reservation at Mamounia

Hôtel de Vendôme is in the heart of Paris at 1, Place Vendôme. The building at number one, the private mansion that houses Hôtel de Vendôme, gives Place Vendôme its name as it is the site of the original Vendôme family’s residence. The residence was built in 1723 and converted into a hotel in 1907. Hotel has only twenty-nine guest rooms and suites include ten suites and nineteen guest rooms each individually decorated with antique furniture, noble woods and upholstery manufactured by French craftsmen. High ceilings, chandeliers, frescos, oil paintings and windows that open onto views of the Place Vendôme make for a truly Parisian experience.
Its elegant restaurant Vendome is designed by Michele Bönan. The restaurant has cosy window seats, an original white marble fireplace and a bookcase full of fashion and design books . The menu changes monthly according to the season enabling the restaurant to serve dishes made with fresh ingredients

Make a reservation at Sumahan

“Sumahan on the Water” a  restored nineteenth century Ottoman distillery opened its doors as a hotel in 2005.   “Suma” is the word for unadulterated spirit.  “Han” was the word for inn in Ottoman times.

Sumahan on the Water sits on the very edge of the Bosphorus  which separate Europe from Asia and link the cold waters of the Black Sea to the warm waters of the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean beyond.  The hotel has 7 rooms 13 suites.  Each accommodation has been individually designed. Each has its own special character. The hotel is very cozy with most rooms having a fireplace and large windows looking out over the Bosphorus and a panoramic view of the European side of Istanbul and the old city.

While staying cross the continents with hotels private boat, for a great experience.

Make a reservation at Sumahan

Make a reservation at Peninsula Hong Kong

Peninsula opened in December 1928, as Hong Kong’s very first hotel. Founded by members of the Kadoorie family, the hotel today is part of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels group. In 1994, the hotel was expanded with a 30-storey tower that follows the same style as the existing building. The facade of the existing hotel building was preserved, including the forecourt, the lobby and the front facade. The hotel has great location with spectacular views of the Hong Kong harbor.

Upon arriving in Hong Kong, guests are taken from the airport to the hotel via a ten-minute helicopter ride or with one of the of the Peninsula’s Rolls-Royce limos. The interiors are postcolonial luxury, with heavy silk curtains, dark wood furniture,and porcelain antiques. All 300 rooms are very spacious and many of them come with their own telescopes for surveying Victoria Peak. Although it is around since 1994, Philippe Starck-designed Euro-Asian rooftop restaurant Felix is still a must-go.

Make a reservation at Peninsula Hong Kong

Make a reservation at Seven one Seven

Seven one Seven situated in the heart of Amsterdam, on the Prinsengracht canal.

The house was inhabited for many years by a prosperous sugar trader. The rear part of the house, served as a ‘sugar mill’,  was built first and dates from the 17th century, but in 1810 the property was extended towards the Prinsengracht  to demonstrate the owner’s wealth to his fellow citizens. During the 20th century the property fulfilled a social purpose, after which in 1996 it was completely restored in 1997 the Exclusive Private Guesthouse Seven One Seven was opened.

Each of the 8 deluxe rooms and suites have been designed individually in a specific style by mixing antiques with modern accents. All suites are decorated with colorful walls and windows in combination with contrasting fabrics. The suites have been furnished with selected antique. Hotels  patio is an elegantly styled garden with a rustic atmosphere. Here you can enjoy breakfast, a drink or afternoon tea,under an old maple tree.

Make a reservation at Seven one Seven

Mount Nelson Hotel  is the most iconic hotel in Cape Town situated within a  lush garden estate in the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural center. Set at the foot of Table Mountain,  Mount Nelson Hotel is perfectly positioned  to experience the historic city center and the neighborhood people refer to as the ‘new Cape Town’ – the trendy areas of Kloof and Long Street. Mount Nelson Hotel opened in 1899 as the first hotel in South Africa to offer hot and cold running water. Since opening the Hotel has been  of choice for well-heeled travelers. From politicians and royalty, to actors and actresses, to models and religious leaders  -  celebrity guests like Agatha Christie, Marlene Dietrich, Winston Churchill,  Al Gore,  David Bowie, Margaret Thatcher,  Bono, John Malkovich,  Nelson Mandela,  the Dalai Lama,   have been spotted here for years.

The hotel has  two heated swimming pools within its  lush ‘urban oasis’ garden setting,  For golfers there is an on-site golf practice net, and seven world class golf courses are located within twenty minutes of the hotel. The Hotel boasts six individual accommodation wings, each with its own unique character, private gardens and facilities. The 201 spacious rooms & suites are individually decorated with old-world charm, complemented by modern luxury. Fine dining has long been a tradition at the Mount Nelson Hotel. Hotels Cape Colony restaurant   is one of the best in South Africa. The stylish bar, Planet, provides the perfect setting for sipping champagne and cocktails under the African night sky. Do not miss the famous traditional  afternoon ‘High Tea” that is served daily in the Lounge.

Borusan Music and Art Center designed by Gokhan Avcioglu and GAD is in the historic neighborhood Beyoglu, Istanbul. The building is a multi-purpose space for exhibitions, events, rehearsals and various other cultural training programs. This new culture center symbolizes the cultural and arts renaissance presently occurring throughout the city while also preserving the architectural legacy of Istanbul.

GAD’s design preserves and restores the historic shell of the existing building; the shell is typical of the facades along the famous Istiklal Caddesi. The building core is completely removed to express an empty void. In a clever move, GAD inserts a contrasting contemporary ‘box’ within the core.  The inserted ‘box’ seems to almost defy gravity as it plays off and is framed by the historic masonry shell. The architectural symbiosis of the two contrasting construction methods and materials activates a playful tension between past and present

www.borusansanat.com

photos by Ahmet Ertug and Ozlem Avcioglu