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THE BUZZ | TRAVEL NEWS<br />
HOTEL<br />
REVIEWS,<br />
NEWS &<br />
OFFERS<br />
NORDIC HOTEL<br />
FORUM<br />
TALLINN<br />
The Nordic Hotel Forum in Tallinn<br />
is the jewel in the Nordic chain’s crown.<br />
On the top fl oor of this forward-thinking,<br />
splendidly situated venue you’ll discover<br />
an unexpected oasis: a forest lake-themed<br />
relaxation centre boasting a pool, sauna,<br />
gym and Jacuzzi, plus exquisite views of the<br />
city’s medieval Old Town, with cocktails<br />
available on demand. It’s a fi ne way to wind<br />
down after a day’s hectic networking.<br />
Tallinn is a thriving hub of 21st-century<br />
commerce, and the Nordic prides itself on<br />
providing the perfect base without maxing<br />
out the expense account. There are Skype<br />
phones in every business room with credit<br />
already added so you can phone mobiles<br />
anywhere in the world for free. Add to that<br />
free parking and free Wi-Fi, and you can<br />
see why it’s so popular with guests from<br />
around the world.<br />
This is chiefl y a well-appointed business<br />
and conference hotel, but there are some<br />
pleasingly luxurious touches: the spacious<br />
walk-in wet room, for example, is all the<br />
more agreeable when the interactive, pipedin<br />
TV is tuned to a music station. It says<br />
something about a place when even your<br />
morning ablutions come with a high-tech<br />
boost. From €90, book at hotels.easyJet.com<br />
28 | TRAVELLER | MARCH 11<br />
ÇIRAĞAN PALACE<br />
KEMPINSKI<br />
ISTANBUL<br />
Built in 1874 for Sultan Abdülaziz, this<br />
marble hotel was one of the Ottoman<br />
Empire’s fi nest royal palaces. By the mid-<br />
20th century it had fallen into disrepair,<br />
and in the 1970s it was abandoned, local<br />
residents turning its sunken gardens into<br />
a popular public swimming pool.<br />
Today, the Çıra˘gan Palace is one<br />
of Europe’s most sumptuous hotels,<br />
personifying Istanbul’s high society.<br />
It sits just north of the Golden Horn<br />
in Istanbul’s belle-époque European<br />
quarter, nudged up against the mighty<br />
Bosphorus on one side with the lovely,<br />
pavilion-dotted Yıldız Park on the other.<br />
The décor dovetails with the hotel’s<br />
palatial history – all plush textiles,<br />
silks, soft wools and traditional Turkish<br />
motifs. And if that all makes you feel<br />
like a spoiled sultan, slip down the hall<br />
to the authentic Turkish steam baths.<br />
As well as the manicured gardens,<br />
huge outdoor swimming pool with<br />
dramatic views across the river, and<br />
cluster of luxury shops, the Çıra˘gan<br />
Palace boasts several top-notch<br />
restaurants. Tu˘gra (dinner only)<br />
serves classic Turkish and Ottoman<br />
food updated by chef U˘gur Alparslan.<br />
Or try Sunday brunch at Laledan,<br />
where the 100-platter buffet includes<br />
freshly shucked oysters, a sushi bar<br />
and pyramids of Turkish delight –<br />
simply divine. From €320, book at<br />
hotels.easyJet.com
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