ISTANBUL, TURKEY—St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc., has opened its first property in Turkey, St. Regis Istanbul. The hotel is owned by Nisantasi Konaklama ve Otel Hizmetleri A.S. (Demsa Group). St. Regis has tripled its global footprint in the last decade to 34 hotels and is set to open three more hotels this year.
Located in the Nisantasi neighborhood, The St. Regis Istanbul sits atop Macka Park and features floor-to-ceiling views of the Bosphorus from each of the 118 guestrooms and suites. Designed by Turkish architect Emre Arolat, The St. Regis Istanbul is a modern interpretation of Istanbul’s glamorous Art Deco era with a variety of contemporary art installations, according to the brand.
“With the opening of The St. Regis Istanbul, we are delighted to strengthen Starwood’s presence in Turkey, one of our key markets for growth and a burgeoning destination for luxury travelers,” said Michael Wale, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The St. Regis Istanbul will offer exceptional levels of service and exquisite experiences including Spago by acclaimed chef Wolfgang Puck and a Bentley Suite, and we look forward to welcoming guests at our first St. Regis hotel in Turkey.”
“As a hotel brand as international and informed as its guests, St. Regis is thoughtfully building its portfolio in destinations, including Istanbul, where there is a robust demand for high-end hospitality from a new generation of global travelers,” said Jenni Benzaquen, VP, St. Regis, W Hotels and The Luxury Collection in Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Capturing the soul of the historic city and the spirit of the new grand tour, this hotel is a befitting debut for St. Regis in this international gateway city.”
The St. Regis Istanbul is home to the first international outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant, located on the hotel’s rooftop. Other food and beverage options include the St. Regis Brasserie and the Petit “O” Bar.
St. Regis’ commitment to art and design can be seen at The St. Regis Istanbul, which showcases works by both internationally acclaimed and emerging Turkish artists as part of the Demsa Collection of Art, which is complemented by custom pieces created for the hotel, including the Lasvit chandelier in the lobby.
The St. Regis Istanbul features a Bentley Suite, second in the world only to the Bentley Suite at the brand’s flagship hotel in New York. The suite draws inspiration from the Bentley Continental GT model and features hand-crafted finishes and one-of-a-kind furnishings throughout, according to the brand.
The hotel’s Iridium Spa features seven treatment rooms and two hammams, an indoor pool and a fitness center with Technogym equipment designed by Antonio Citterio. It also has seven meeting rooms, including the Astor Ballroom.
To celebrate the hotel’s debut, St. Regis partnered with John Malkovich, who wrote and directed A Postcard from Istanbul, an original short film starring Julian Sands and Turkish actress Belcim Bilgin. The five-minute film unveils the allure, rich culture and historic charm of Istanbul with sweeping views of the city’s notable sights, according to the brand.
“We are thrilled to unveil The St. Regis Istanbul as a modern vision of the St. Regis brand,” said Rui Reis, general manager, The St. Regis Istanbul. “We look forward to welcoming guests and residents to the hotel, poised to become the best address at a global intersection of art, design, fashion and culture.”