Following the instant success of The Waikiki EDITION, new luxury lifestyle hotel brand EDITION is set to make its European debut in Istanbul, April 2011. Since opening in October 2010, The Waikiki EDITION has already received numerous accolades and has even been awarded the prestigious AAA 4-Diamond, making EDITION the first lifestyle hotel brand in Hawaii to obtain such a high standing in the industry and greatly exceeding the expectations promised by Marriott International and the brand’s Creative Advisor, Ian Schrager. As the first European EDITION hotel, The Istanbul EDITION could not be more different than The Waikiki EDITION. It will continue to demonstrate how the brand is an unexpected and refreshing collection of individualized, customized, one-of-a-kind hotels that are the antithesis of an institutional “hotel chain” and are quickly setting a new standard in the industry. Since its inception, EDITION promised to respond to newly emerging cultural and social imperatives, to deliver each hotel as a unique product reflecting the best of the cultural and social milieu in terms of both geographical location and zeitgeist. As a result, design and architecture is derived from the scale, location and feel of individual properties rather than from contrived decorative clichés or unnecessary gestures. In addition, design, finishes and details do not drive the experience of each hotel, they serve it. Although The Istanbul EDITION is radically different from The Waikiki EDITION aesthetically, the hotels are unified by their approach, ethos and attitude towards the modern lifestyle; they combine a personal, individualized and unique lodging experience with great personal service. It is the first luxury lifestyle brand to emphasize “great looks” coupled with “great service”. Now there is no need to sacrifice service to stay at the coolest place in town.
The Istanbul EDITION is situated within the city’s lively Levent neighbourhood, known for its Kanyon mall and impressive skyline. One of the world’s greatest cities, Istanbul is the only metropolis that is situated at the nexus of two continents, Europe and Asia. This new Urban Resort presents an enticing mix of Eastern and Western influences, captured in the look and feel of everything within. Guests are welcomed into the hotel by a tall, domed lobby; a fundamental mark of traditional Ottoman style realized here with a modern twist. Eastern touches are present throughout: walls, ceilings and floors are lined with mosaic tiles, a cornerstone of traditional Byzantine architecture, and public spaces are gracefully bejewelled with bronze and gold leaf reminiscent of Ottoman style in all of its splendour. Traditional hanging lamps are featured in the guest rooms while Gold Bar’s VIP seating area has taken its inspiration from traditional Turkish Tea Rooms. Leather tufted ottomans are surrounded by u-shaped seating influenced by old Bosphorus villas that featured such rooms for socializing, relaxing and smoking. The long-standing ritual of the Hammam is clearly reflected in the unparalleled spa offerings.
The hotel is a thirteen-story tower with 77 generously scaled, guest lofts averaging 480 square-feet and a full-floor penthouse. The interiors have been imagined using a color palette of bronze and white-gold, with extensive use of dark and pale woods historically found in Turkish homes. The transition from public to private spaces seamlessly creates a sleek, harmonious environment. Each guest room, like a unique and precious wooden jewel box, has Rosewood or Soaped Oak walls, ceilings and floors; natural elements that dominated Turkish architecture for centuries, with some boasting over-sized terraces offering breathtaking views over the exotic city skyline. In contrast, the bathrooms are built up from extravagant glass walls, stone and ancient marble extracted from the Turkish island of Marmora in Greek and Roman times. Local silk has been woven into sheers and curtains which may be drawn to provide privacy for guests who desire it.
