Post-Lockdown, Istanbul's Residents Are Embracing Empty Palaces and Sunset Dance Parties

"Ciragan Palace Kempinski is letting guests customize their level of personal space with contactless privacy options and areas throughout the historic property re-envisioned for discreet distancing, like picnics in the garden. Guest room amenities have been updated with locally made masks and kolonya (a perfumed Turkish disinfectant). The hotel staff now sports masks, white gloves, and buttons with their pictures for a dose of humanity—and all luggage is disinfected before the bellman delivers it to the room. Rather than stifling the hotel experience, many properties have found a way to enhance health and safety standards through personalization, while maintaining the warm touches guests come for."