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Istanbul: sultans and spies
When the new James Bond film, Skyfall opens in November, travelers will have yet another reason to visit the intriguing city of Istanbul.
Filmed, in part, in location at the Grand Bazaar and other locations in one of the most compellingly lush cities in the world, Skyfall had its media press conference at the Kempinski Ciragan Palace—a hotel that is quartered in the Sultan’s Bosphorus-side palace itself.
Director Sam Mendes stayed in the new section of the hotel while filming with Craig, Javiar Bardem and Dame Judi Dench (who also filmed in Istanbul in the Pierce Brosnan Bond film, The World is Not Enough).
Istanbul insiders tell TravelMole US that Mendes sequestered himself in one of the hotel’s suites (although not the Presidential, a favorite of Oprah’s) and lived very much like an Istanbul local.
Meeting planners can rent the hotel’s confection-like hammam rooms once used by the Sultan himself. The marble and brass bath chamber can host up to 50 people. MICE travelers can also access the Kempinski’s five-star modern spa where a 21st century version of the Sultan’s hammam ritual is practiced.
Gretchen Kelly
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