"MARIAH CAREY, SHARON STONE, RICHARD GERE AND BRITISH SINGER SEAL".

"So what tempted Seal, Paris,

Mariah, Richard Gere, Tom Jones,

and Sharon Stone, to the opening

of a $1.65bn Turkish resort?".

"Lizzie Smith".

24.05.2009."While Paris Hilton will happily attend the opening of an envelope - for the right price of course - some of her fellow celebrities are slightly more picky about where they party".

""Which makes it all the more surprising that such a number of high-profile Hollywood A-listers made their way to Turkey for the opening of a holiday resort. Amongst the disparate group were Welsh singer Tom Jones, diva Mariah Carey, actress Sharon Stone, actor Richard Gere and British singer Seal".

"Of course this wasn't just any opening - the Mardan Palace Hotel is Europe's most expensive luxury resort , costing $1.65 billion".

"Time for a party! Paris Hilton arrives for the opening party of the Mardan Palace hotel in Antalya, Turkey".

"Luckily it is conveniently located on the Turkish Riviera, so perhaps the opening was timed to coincide with the Cannes Festival across the water, cutting down on travelling distances for the mainly U.S. based stars".

"The Palace was unveiled last night at a spectacular opening party in Antalya, Turkey. A glittering audience of 600 dined on top of the Mediterranean's largest swimming pool, enjoying performances from Mariah Carey and Tom Jones".

"Back to the golden age: Guests including Sharon Stone and Mariah Carey feasted on Beluga Caviar, Atlantic lobsters and truffles".

"As they feasted on 45kg Beluga Caviar from the Caspian Sea, 950 Atlantic lobsters and 5kg of Black diamonds - Italian black truffles - they watched a laser light show and fireworks light up the hotel and surrounding Taurus mountains".

"Mardan Palace is Turkey's first five-star Destination Resort, and it is modestly billed as 'hailing a return to the opulent, golden age of the Ottoman Empire".

"It is the work of Telman Ismailov, Chairman of Russia's biggest property developers AST. The palatial resort comprises 560 rooms, including two Royal Suites with private pools - yours for a mere €14,000 a night in the high season".

"Time for a drink? Cary Lowell and Richard Gere arrives for a cocktail reception as part of the launch party".

"What do Seal and Richard Gere have in common? Both attended the launch party. Reflecting Turkish heritage the architecture mirrors the distinctive landmarks of Istanbul - the main hotel resembles The Dolmabahce Palace and bridges across the pool are based on original designs of the Da Vinci Bridge".

"Guests can step into a gondolas to sail around the Mediterranean's largest swimming pool, five giant aquariums decorate the hotel's restaurants and spa, Europe's only swimming reef will attract divers and a dramatic amphitheatre seating 900 will host world-class entertainment".

"The resort also boasts the 7500sqm Mardan Spa, 17 bars and 10 a la carte restaurants - including French, Japanese, Russian, Thai and traditional Turkish".