The ‘Culture Book’ Reception Celebrates Luxury and Cultural Heritage

The ‘Culture Book’ Reception Celebrates Luxury and Cultural Heritage at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Istanbul, 25 December 2025 – Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul hosted an exclusive reception to celebrate the launch of Culture: The Leading Hotels of the World, a distinguished publication by The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) in collaboration with Phaidon and Monacelli.

The second volume in the LHW Coffee Table Book series, Culture showcases more than 80 prestigious hotels worldwide through their distinctive cultural heritage, architectural essence and exceptional hospitality. The book serves as a valuable reference for collectors and enthusiasts of culture and travel. Encased in an elegant deep blue cover with silver-gilt accents and refined design, the publication features original photography by internationally acclaimed photographers, contributions from renowned writers in the fields of culture, art and travel, as well as interviews with eminent cultural personalities associated with the hotels.

A dedicated section in the book highlights the story of Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, detailing the Palace’s storied history, architectural character and enduring legacy, which harmoniously blends with contemporary elegance. As the first property in Türkiye to become a part of the LHW collection, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul eloquently conveys the significance of its setting, its Ottoman imperial past and the evolving expression of modern luxury.

An Evening of Distinction at the Palace Celebrating Cultural Legacy

The evening, hosted by Ralph Radtke, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul General Manager and Regional Director of Kempinski Residences Türkiye, together with Deniz Ömürgönülşen, LHW Vice President, took place at Ottoman – one of the Palace’s most refined venues – under the Sultans’ Dinner concept. Set against the majestic Bosphorus, the event welcomed esteemed guests from the worlds of business, art, culture and society. Distinguished attendees included Aslı Kıraç, Ayşe and Tunç Gören, Ayşegül and Nusret Altınbaş, Ayşegül Tuncer, Akın and Zafer Kozanoğlu, Emine Sabancı Kamışlı, Lara Türker, Luset Hassan, Nesligül Aksoy, Noyan Altuğ, Özgür Keleş, Sedef and Şevki Korkmaz, and Tibet Erdoğdu, among many others. Guests enjoyed a specially curated menu from the Palace’s kitchen while immersing themselves in the book’s compelling cultural narratives.

Reflecting on the evening, General Manager Ralph Radtke commented: ‘The Culture book by Phaidon and Monacelli brings to life the stories of more than 80 iconic hotels from LHW’s curated collection of over 400 independent luxury properties worldwide. The section devoted to Çırağan Palace Kempinski is articulated in eloquent prose and highlights the Palace’s profound role in both Istanbul’s cultural identity and the international luxury hospitality landscape. On this meaningful evening inspired by the book, we also honoured the remarkable more than 20-year career of LHW Vice President Deniz Ömürgönülşen, gathering for a farewell dinner in appreciation of his invaluable contributions.’

LHW Vice President Deniz Ömürgönülşen shared: ‘The Culture book beautifully expresses that beyond opulence, The Leading Hotels of the World is defined by storied traditions, enduring legacies and heartfelt human connections. Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, in its embodiment of the past and present, is a quintessential reflection of this ethos. Celebrating this significant publication at such a remarkable palace, surrounded by esteemed friends and industry partners with whom I have had the privilege to collaborate over the years, had deep personal significance to me. The experiences, relationships and cherished moments from my more than 20 years at LHW will always hold great meaning in my life.’

----

Press Contact:

Neslihan Şen · Director of Marketing and Public Relations                     

Çırağan Palace Kempinski İstanbul

Çırağan Cad. 32 · Beşiktaş 34349 · İstanbul · Türkiye

T +90 212 326 4646 · [email protected]