Honoured with Prestigious Global Tourism Awards

Istanbul, 19 October 2026 – Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, renowned for its unique location, striking architecture, rich history and exceptional beauty, continues to distinguish itself through international achievements across travel, hospitality, gastronomy, MICE and wellness. Recognised by the World Travel Awards, World Culinary Awards, World MICE Awards and World Spa Awards, the hotel further reinforces its position across a diverse range of experiences.

International Achievements in Luxury Hospitality: Recognised with Prestigious Awards

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul has once again received prestigious accolades from the World Travel Awards, one of the most respected organisations in the global travel and tourism industry. The hotel has earned the titles of ‘Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel’ and ‘Türkiye’s Leading Luxury Hotel’ for several consecutive years, while the Sultan Suite was honoured with the title of ‘Türkiye’s Leading Hotel Suite’. These accolades at both European and national levels reaffirm Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul’s distinguished position in luxury hospitality.

Another Gastronomy Award for Rüya Istanbul

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul’s achievements in gastronomy have also received international recognition through Rüya Istanbul. Following its openings in Cannes and Dubai, Rüya Istanbul, which opened its doors in Istanbul, received the ‘Europe’s Best New Hotel Restaurant’ award at the 2026 World Culinary Awards before completing its first year of operation. Rüya Istanbul was also recently named among the world’s 25 standout hotel restaurants in Travel + Leisure’s The 25 Best Hotel Restaurants in the World selection.

Hotel’s MICE Excellence Once Again Recognised at the World MICE Awards

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul’s international success extends beyond luxury hospitality to the MICE sector. At the World MICE Awards, one of the leading award organisations in MICE tourism, covering meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, the hotel was once again named ‘Türkiye’s Best MICE Hotel’ this year. This recognition reflects the global appreciation of Çırağan Palace Kempinski’s approach to combining its high standards of hospitality with its expertise in meetings and events.

World’s Best Hammam Ritual

The hotel’s excellence in wellness was once again recognised at the 2026 World Spa Awards. The hammam at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, operated by Sanitas SPA & Wellness and blending Ottoman heritage with a modern approach to wellness, was awarded the title of ‘World’s Best Hammam Spa’ in recognition of its exceptional service quality and traditional rituals.

Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Ralph Radtke, General Manager of Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul and Regional Director of Kempinski Residences Türkiye

Ralph Radtke, General Manager of Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul and Regional Director of Kempinski Residences Türkiye, received one of the evening’s most meaningful honours. With more than 55 years of experience in international roles across 15 countries, Radtke, a leading figure in the industry, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Travel Awards. This recognition is a significant source of pride, complementing the hotel’s international achievements this year.

Radtke accepted the hotel’s prestigious awards at the World Travel Awards, alongside his own Lifetime Achievement Award, at the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony held in Montenegro.

Commenting on these achievements, Radtke said: ‘As 2026 draws to a close, having our achievements recognised with such an impressive collection of international awards is a tremendous source of pride for us. Winning the titles of Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel and Türkiye’s Leading Luxury Hotel simultaneously at the World Travel Awards, together with the Sultan Suite once again being named Türkiye’s Leading Hotel Suite, reflects Çırağan Palace’s strong position in luxury hospitality. At the same time, the awards we have received in MICE, gastronomy and spa demonstrate that the experience we offer our guests extends far beyond accommodation, and that the high standards we maintain across different areas are recognised on a global scale.

‘On a personal note, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Travel Awards fills me with indescribable pride and happiness. Throughout my career, I have had the honour of receiving many prestigious awards in different countries around the world. However, having a journey spanning more than 55 years, the experience I have gained over the years, my passion for my profession and my contributions to the industry recognised with such a meaningful award hold special significance for me.

‘I do not see this award solely as a personal achievement; I consider it a reflection of the journey we have shared, the dedication we have demonstrated and our team spirit. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues who have stood by me throughout this journey, shared in my achievements and given me strength at every step. I believe that true success is not achieved alone; it is a shared story that gains meaning when we believe in something together, work towards it and inspire one another.’

Continuing to stand as one of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, connecting the city to the world through its distinctive blend of historic heritage and grandeur, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul remains one of Türkiye’s leading representatives of luxury hospitality, supported by its international achievements across various fields.

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Press Contact

Neslihan Şen · Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Çırağan Cad. 32 · Beşiktaş 34349 · Istanbul · Türkiye

Phone +90 212 326 4646 · [email protected]