St. Regis hotels & resorts unveils highly anticipated flagship in Istanbul, Turkey

t. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc., is delighted to debut the highly anticipated St. Regis Istanbul. Owned by Nisantasi Konaklama ve Otel Hizmetleri A.S. (Demsa Group), The St. Regis Istanbul marks the debut of the luxury brand in Turkey. St. Regis has tripled its global footprint in the last decade to 34 hotels and is set to open three more hotels this year, strengthening its position as a leader in luxury hospitality. Nestled in the sophisticated Nişantaşı neighborhood, The St. Regis Istanbul is surrounded by chic designer boutiques and boutique art galleries. The residential hotel sits atop Maçka Park and boasts breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling views of the Bosphorus from each of the 118 guestrooms and suites. Designed by award-winning 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. “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 travellers,” 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 travellers,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Vice President, 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.” Wolfgang Puck’s Iconic Spago Restaurant The St. Regis Istanbul is home to the first international outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s iconic Spago restaurant, which stars as the hotel’s signature culinary experience. Located on the hotel’s rooftop, the restaurant offers contemporary design and stunning views of the vibrant city. Inspired by the celebrated chef’s global travels, the modern and imaginative seasonal menus include signature dishes, such as blue crab and lobster "Louis" cocktail with spicy tomato-horseradish; "Angry" two-pound live lobster with Szechuan chilies, garlic, scallions and black bean dust; roasted duckling "Peking Style" with blood oranges, port-ginger reduction; and grilled lamb chops, harissa aioli, charred eggplant, falafel “macaroons”, natural jus. This is paired with a superb artisanal cocktail menu and extensive wine list, including international varietals alongside local Turkish wines. Poised to be the best address for celebrity spotting in Istanbul, the Spago lounge offers a seductive atmosphere above the busy streets of Istanbul all year round. Exquisite Culinary Experiences While the St. Regis Brasserie offers street-side action: an indoor show kitchen and bustling outdoor terrace, reminiscent of a Parisian café, the Petit “O” Bar follows the St. Regis tradition of creating a signature Bloody Mary cocktail with a local twist. Guests can enjoy the Misty Mary cocktail amidst the “Bosphorus Breeze” mural by Bedri Baykam, the Turkish artist commissioned to create a whimsical mural as the focal point for the bar. The mural is symbolic of the brand’s evolution: a modern iteration of the iconic King Cole Mural at The St. Regis New York, commissioned by St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV. Impeccable Design St. Regis’ commitment to art and design is brought to life at The St. Regis Istanbul, which showcases works by both internationally-acclaimed and emerging Turkish artists as part of the Demsa Collection of Art. This is complemented by custom pieces created for the hotel, including the spectacular Lasvit chandelier, which takes center stage in the lobby. The St. Regis Istanbul features an exquisitely designed Bentley Suite, second in the world only to the Bentley Suite at the brand’s flagship hotel in New York. Providing guests with the luxury, craftsmanship and style associated with both renowned international brands, the suite draws inspiration from the Bentley Continental GT model and features hand-crafted finishes and one-of-a-kind furnishings throughout. Iridium Spa & Beyond Expectation Events Born from the DNA of the timeless sophistication of the St. Regis brand, Iridium Spa offers a transformative spa journey that bestows the rarest luxury of all: time. With seven treatment rooms and two hammams, the spa offers bespoke treatments tailored to guests’ needs in an idyllic setting. The spa also features an indoor pool and fitness center with the latest Technogym equipment designed by Antonio Citterio. The St. Regis Istanbul is the perfect venue for special occasions, including exquisite weddings and intimate business gatherings. The hotel has seven meeting rooms, including the prestigious Astor Ballroom, setting an incomparable stage for a truly unforgettable event. “A Postcard from Istanbul” by John Malkovich To celebrate the hotel’s debut, St. Regis partnered John Malkovich, who wrote and directed “A Postcard from Istanbul”, an original short film starring Julian Sands and Turkish actress Belçim Bilgin. The cinematic five-minute picture unveils the allure, rich culture and historic charm of Istanbul with sweeping views of the city’s notable sights. 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.” Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Turkey Starwood currently has 11 hotels in Turkey including four in Istanbul – The St. Regis Istanbul, Sheraton Istanbul Ataköy Hotel, W Istanbul and Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler. Starwood’s portfolio also includes Sheraton properties in Ankara, Cesme, Adana, Bursa and Samsun, as well as Lugal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Ankara and Aloft Bursa. In 2015, Starwood will open three more hotels in Turkey – Four Points by Sheraton hotels in Batisehir and Dudullu districts in Istanbul and Sheraton Istanbul Atasehir on the Asian side of the city. This aggressive expansion will bring the company’s footprint in Turkey to 14 hotels under seven of its distinct lifestyle brands by the end of this year.