Defne GEZEN IMHI 2002 has been apppointed Managing Director for DTM Hospitality Management, prior to that Defne Gezen was Vice President Jones Lang Lasalle Hotels Turkey. Defne is a member of RICS and ULI Turkey.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s largest hotel companies has announced the signing of Holiday Inn Express® Istanbul – Halkali. The hotel, due to open in 2014, will be the first internationally branded limited service hotel near Istanbul International Airport.
Intelligent Hospitality, LLC announced today that it has added Dedeman Bostanci in the greater Istanbul area to its globally growing list of hotels that benefit from its cloud-based hotel reporting and analytics tool, HotelIQ Business Intelligence ®. In addition to Dedeman Istanbul, Dedeman Bostanci is the second hotel in Istanbul to reap significant benefits from HotelIQ Business Intelligence ®.
Mehmet Önkal, Managing Partner of BDO Hospitality Consulting has been named as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, to be presented at the Turkey & Neighbours Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC). Selected by the CATHIC advisory board, the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented in recognition of the remarkable contribution Mr. Önkal has made to the region's hospitality industry throughout his career.
When it opens on 1st September this year, Raffles Istanbul will be the perfect embodiment of the 'new' face of Istanbul: cutting-edge, eclectic and energetic. The hotel is at the heart of the Zorlu Center, a new hub for fashion, food and the arts on the European shore in Beşiktaş - overlooking the Bosphorus, the Princess Islands and the historic peninsula. This is a next-generation bazaar, where fashion, performance and art converge. Like those of its stylish sister, Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, the sleek modern interiors at Raffles Istanbul will be embellished with an impressive collection of artwork, specially commissioned from local artists, a mix of paintings, sculpture, photography and video installations. These will all come together under the common influence of Turkish culture and heritage, giving the hotel a strong sense of place.
Marriott International continues its rapid growth in Eastern Europe with the opening of the Istanbul Marriott Hotel Sisli, taking the company's total number of properties to seven in Istanbul and eleven in Turkey overall. From its rooftop heliport and stunning views to impeccably furnished guestrooms and sophisticated event space, this five-star hotel is a first-class addition to Istanbul's skyline.
When it opens this summer, Raffles Istanbul will be the perfect embodiment of the 'new' face of Istanbul: cutting-edge, eclectic and energetic. The hotel is at the heart of the Zorlu Center, a new hub for fashion, food and the arts on the European shore in Beşiktaş - overlooking the Bosphorus, the Princess Islands and the historic peninsula. This is a next-generation bazaar, where fashion, performance and art converge. Like those of its stylish sister, Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris, the sleek modern interiors at Raffles Istanbul will be embellished with an impressive collection of artwork, specially commissioned from local artists, a mix of paintings, sculpture, photography and video installations. These will all come together under the common influence of Turkish culture and heritage, giving the hotel a strong sense of place. And as in Paris, Raffles Istanbul will have an Art Concierge, to steer clients through the city's exciting new art scene which, over the last few years, has shifted from heavily traditional to a reinvigorated one, energetically celebrating its new generation of artists. The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkey's first private museum to stage modern and contemporary art exhibitions, was founded in 2004 on the shores of the Bosphorus, and in 2012 the contemporary art space SALT opened. Last year a number of Istanbul art galleries attended Frieze London, as well as Art Basel in Basel and Hong Kong.
Turkey's hospitality industry leaders will gather here in June for the Turkey and Neighbours Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC) to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Turkey's burgeoning tourism and hospitality industries.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. [NYSE: HOT] has signed an agreement with Cevahir Yapi Sanayi Turizm ve Ticaret A.S. to open a new Sheraton hotel in Istanbul. Set to open next year, Sheraton Istanbul Atasehir will reinforce the global growth of the Sheraton brand as it remains on track to open its 500th hotel by 2015.
yoo Hotels has opened its first yoo2 property in Istanbul –'The only city in the world that encompasses both Asia and Europe, Istanbul also straddles the ancient and modern worlds'. Travel and Leisure Magazine
Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, Istanbul's largest hotel, today welcomes guests for the first time. With 829 guest rooms and suites, as well as 12,000 square meters of event space, the hotel builds on Hilton's legacy of almost 60 years in Turkey, extending its world renowned service to travelers in one of Istanbul's most thriving neighborhoods.
There's no better interview process than working with someone, a fact that both The Istanbul EDITION and Banu Kirmaz well know. After working for three years at The Istanbul EDITION as Director of Finance and Human Resources, Ms. Kirmaz made the transition to become the property's General Manager in May 2013. Ms. Kirmaz is no stranger to the hospitality industry or the Marriott brands, for that matter. While she devoted the first 10 years of her career to banking, she joined The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul in 2003 as Director of Finance after a headhunter suggested she apply for the job.
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), has signed an agreement with Nisantasi Konaklama ve Otel Hizmetleri A.S. (Demsa Group) to open a St. Regis hotel in Istanbul. Set to open in the first half of 2014, The St. Regis Istanbul will mark the debut of the luxury brand in Turkey and extend Starwood’s presence in the country.
Istanbul welcomes its newest luxury hotel this week with the opening of the Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul on 11 May. The opulent 186-room hotel is the second in Europe for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, which hails from the other city where East famously meets West, Hong Kong. Shangri-La brought its inimitable Asian "hospitality from the heart" to Paris in 2010 to rave reviews and now adds Istanbul to its growing list of international gateway cities.
Murat Cevherioglu has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing of Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah. Prior to joining Jumeirah Group, Murat Cevherioglu held Sales & Marketing positions several hotels in Turkey including Ceylan Intercontinental Istanbul, Hilton Istanbul, the opening of Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul, the opening of W Istanbul, Hillside Su Hotel Antalya and The Grand Tarabya Istanbul. Additionally, he worked for the opening of Mövenpick in Bahrain. A Turkish national with over 15 years’ experience, Murat also holds a BA in Tourism and Hotel Management from Bilkent University in Turkey.
The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announces the very first Park Inn hotel in Turkey: The Park Inn Istanbul Ataturk Airport featuring 144 keys is scheduled to open in Q1 2014.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced a new development in Istanbul, Turkey, scheduled to open in 2016. The 210-room hotel will be joined by branded residences and is part of the Quasar Istanbul complex, a new mixed-use development in the Sisli district, a vibrant neighborhood blending commercial, residential and retail yet situated close to major attractions in the city. The project is being developed through a joint venture between Viatrans - Meydanbey. Viatrans is a Geneva-based company specializing in shipping logistics and insurance as well as commercial real estate. The Quasar Istanbul complex is in the central business district whose showpiece is the former Mecidiyekoy Liqueur and Cognac Factory. Built in the 1930's on then undeveloped land, the factory was designed by Robert Mallet-Stevens, who with Le Corbusier was among the most influential modern French architects of that era. Two 41-story towers will sit above a 4-story office podium with fitness facilities and luxury retail stores. The towers will house a Fairmont Hotel and Fairmont Residences as well as Quasar Residences and offices which will be managed by Fairmont. The hotel will feature Fairmont Gold, the brand's hotel within a hotel lifestyle offering, a number of lounges and several restaurants, 2,000 square meters of function space, and a Willow Stream Spa. The two residences are whole-ownership, private homes and will offer studios, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom duplexes. While in residence, owners will have access to a private lounge and a number of services and amenities such as 24-hour concierge, wine cellar, preferred pricing for various hotel offerings including dining, spa and fitness, meeting facilities, hotel guestrooms and more. Owners will also be awarded VIP status and privileges when they travel to any Fairmont hotels or resorts worldwide. The former distillery, located adjacent to the hotel will undergo a thoughtful restoration echoing the Modern style of its French designer to become a culture, fashion and arts center for special events and exhibits. A verdant urban open space is also planned for the development of a city park and recreation area. "Istanbul is an exciting, dynamic city that will appeal to our business and leisure guests," said Jennifer Fox, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. "As well as complementing our other developments in the region, it is very exciting to be partnering with Viatrans on this amazing project blending hotel, residential and community space." Turkey's largest city straddles the Bosphorus one of the world's busiest waterways, and is the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. Istanbul served as the capital of three distinct empires, including Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, and is located at the edge of Europe and Asia, with one-third of its population living in Asia and its commercial and historical center in Europe. Today it is a thriving tourist and business destination rich with history and natural beauty, home to 13.5 million people in the second-largest metropolitan area in Europe. Fairmont Quasar, Istanbul is the most recent project to be announced by the brand in the region and joins Fairmont Kyiv, Ukraine; Fairmont Baku, Azerbaijan (2013) and Fairmont Pekin, Moscow (2016).
Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with nearly 7,260 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the introduction of its select-service TRYP by WyndhamSM hotel brand in Turkey with the opening of the 108-room TRYP by Wyndham Istanbul Taksim.
Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with nearly 7,260 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the introduction of its upscale Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts brand to Turkey with the opening of the newly constructed, 210-room Wyndham Istanbul Kalamis Marina, located on the Asian coast of Istanbul.
Viceroy Hotel Group announces the appointment of Spencer Yeo as General Manager of Viceroy Istanbul to commence January 1st, 2013. Yeo will oversee all pre-opening activities of the hotel, as well as eventual operations of the outstanding 14-acre property, which is scheduled to debut in 2014. Yeo takes his new role in Turkey after 3 years as hotel manager of the group’s Five Star, Five Diamond property, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills. A 19-year veteran of the luxury hospitality business, his career has been spent with some of the world’s most renowned brands such as Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula and Intercontinental as well as diverse regions including Nairobi, Egypt, London and Washington, DC.