Worldhotels announces strategic partnership with yoo2

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Worldhotels announces its strategic partnership with yoo2, the exciting new lifestyle hotel brand from yoo, the leading design company founded by international property entrepreneur John Hitchcox and renowned designer Philippe Starck. yoo2 creates original stories through iconic design, with innovative and vibrant destination-led hotels, and has selected Worldhotels as its ideal partner. The first yoo2 hotel to join Worldhotels’ exclusive portfolio is Yoo2 Taksim Square in Istanbul. Yoo2 Taksim Square is located within walking distance of central Istanbul attractions such as the Taksim Gezi Park and the Atatürk Cultural Centre, and offers 59 exclusively designed guest rooms with views over the Bosphorus. Guests can enjoy traditional and modern Turkish cuisine, as well as international dishes, at the hotel’s renowned restaurant.

The new partnership reflects Worldhotels’ ambition to expand its global portfolio with unique high-quality hotels in key destinations worldwide. Yoo2 Taksim Square complements the Worldhotels offering in Istanbul, which includes ten hotels.

yoo Hotel’s Chief Operating Officer, Marco Nijhof says: “With its tagline ‘Where Discovery Starts’ and its aim to offer modern travellers unique and authentic experiences, Worldhotels is the ideal partner to represent our yoo2 brand. The group offers the best in class distribution technology, sales and marketing tools and will drive maximum results for our yoo2 hotels.”

“We are proud to tie up with one of the most innovative design boutique hotel groups”, comments Paulo Salvador, Worldhotels’ Chief Marketing Officer. “The global partnership with the yoo2 brand is an important milestone, enabling us to expand our network with more unique and authentic hotels worldwide. Istanbul is a strategically important destination and the Yoo2 Taksim Square an ideal addition to our portfolio in the city. We are looking forward to working with the yoo2 team to accelerate our mutual growth and strengthen our brand positioning.”

Daniel Fountain / 21.03.2014

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

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Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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