P: What are the unique selling points for the new Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler?
OB: The recently opened Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler is set to become a landmark in the city, as the 34-storey hotel features iconic architecture by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat, interior design by renowned Turkish designer Sinan Kafadar of Istanbul-based Metex and a dedicated curated art program showcasing Turkish contemporary artists, reflecting Istanbul’s inspiring and culturally diverse atmosphere. The hotel features three distinct, vertically-stacked blocks, inspired by the neighboring buildings in Etiler, and gradually becomes transparent as it rises towards the sky, providing guests with impressive views of the Bosphorus and a new perspective of Istanbul.
In addition to its 238 guest rooms, the hotel offers 21 long-stay residence suites all with floor-to-ceiling windows providing inspiring views of the Bosphorus and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge which connects Europe to Asia. Dining facilities include an all-day restaurant, Latitude Bar serving illy coffee and other refreshments, and a rooftop bar with spectacular 360-degree views of the city. The total meeting space of the hotel spans 2,040sqm, including a chic and elegantly designed ballroom of 766 sqm, a 550 sqm pre-function foyer, seven stylish meeting rooms out of which five are with natural lighting as well as two VIP boardrooms. Additional facilities, such as the “Explore Spa” offers guests to the opportunity to relax in one of the steam rooms, sauna, jacuzzi, Turkish Hammam, eight treatment rooms, as well as an indoor and heated outdoor pool. A 24-hour fitness center ensures contemplation and vitalization to the guests. The hotel also offers the newly developed Le Méridien Hub experience which re-interprets the traditional lobby into a social gathering place for creative people to converse, debate, and exchange.
P: How are the new W Hotels in Europe being received by international groups? What do they offer that didn’t perhaps exist before and who do they cater especially well to in terms of corporate groups?
OB: W Hotels are extremely well perceived by international groups traveling to Europe, where the brand is represented with hotels in Istanbul, Turkey, Barcelona, Spain, London, UK, St. Petersburg, Russia and Paris, France. W Hotels provide a design-led, high energy experience, which is perfect for creative and team building meetings & incentives. Our W hotels are preferably chosen by varying types of corporate groups as they incorporate Starwood’s recognized professionalism, systems and reliability in operating successful meetings.