Starwood Debuts New Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler in Turkey

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. March 14, 2012

March 13, 2012 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the debut of the first Le Meridien hotel in Turkey with the opening of the highly anticipated Le Meridien Istanbul.

“Le Meridien has undergone a comprehensive brand re-launch in the past six years since it was acquired by Starwood,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, Le Meridien and W Hotels Worldwide. “In this new era for Le Meridien, we are proud to celebrate Le Meridien brand's best portfolio ever with the grand opening of the flagship Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler, which marks the first new build Le Meridien to open in a primary European city.”

Adnan Çebi, Makyol's Chairman says, “We are extremely excited to be expanding Makyol's tourism portfolio with an internationally renowned hotel group such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts and to bring the contemporary Le Meridien brand to Turkey. With the brand's artistic cosmopolitan touch, we believe Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler will bring a fresh flavour to the city, perfectly suited to the rich and sophisticated cultural blend of East and West.”

Set to become a landmark in the city, the 34-story hotel features iconic architecture and a dedicated curated art programme showcasing Turkish contemporary artists, reflecting Istanbul's inspiring and culturally diverse atmosphere. Designed by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat, the hotel features three distinct, vertically-stacked blocks inspired by the neighbouring buildings in Etiler. The building gradually becomes transparent as it rises towards the sky, providing guests with impressive views of the Bosphorus and a new perspective of Istanbul. The hotel's interiors were designed by renowned Turkish designer Sinan Kafadar of Istanbul-based Metex.

The hotel provides a comprehensive contemporary lifestyle experience, featuring 259 guest rooms, including 21 long-stay residence suites all with floor-to-ceiling windows providing inspiring views of the Bosphorus and the city. Featuring a timeless chic design, all guest rooms are outfitted with Le Meridien Bed® and amenities such as a docking station, rainforest shower and a separate bathtub. Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler's signature spa offers visitors a new perspective inspired by European spa traditions and features eight treatment rooms, a Turkish Hammam, an indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, and a state-of-the art fitness centre.

Le Meridien's UNLOCK ART™ program features an artist-designed key card collection that offers access to both the guestroom and affiliated contemporary cultural centers. In Istanbul, guests can enjoy access to Istanbul Modern, the hotel's UNLOCK ART™ partner, using keycards designed by :mentalKLINIK - a contemporary artist duo from Istanbul and recently appointed as the latest LM100™ members. Selected by Jerome Sans, Le Meridien's Cultural Curator since 2006, LM100 is a group of international innovators chosen from the worlds of art, architecture and cuisine who use their creativity to develop original, interactive programs that transform the Le Meridien guest experience.

The hotel offers the newly developed Le Meridien Hub experience which re-interprets the traditional lobby into a social gathering place for creative people to converse, debate, and exchange. 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. Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler also features over 2,000 square metres of meeting space, including a 766-square metre ballroom and nine individual rooms.