Starwood Hotels & Resorts Introduces Le Meridien to Europe’s Capital of Culture

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced that it will open the first Le Méridien hotel in the sophisticated and vibrant European “Capital of Culture.” Scheduled to open in the autumn of 2011, the new 260-room Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler marks the brand’s debut in Turkey. Owned by Makyol Construction Industry Tourism and Trading Co. Inc., the hotel overlooks the crystal blue waters of the Bosphorus offering panoramic views over two continents and is anticipated to become a landmark in Turkey’s rapidly developing cultural, economic and financial centre.Ideally located in the prestigious area of Etiler, just one kilometre from the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge connecting Europe and Asia, Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler will be tailored to both business and leisure travellers. The 32-story hotel will provide a fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience featuring 206 guest rooms, 26 suites and 28 serviced apartments, a Creative Hub (Le Méridien’s new lobby concept), destination bar, signature restaurant and rooftop lounge with stunning views of the city. Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler will also offer 1,700 square metres of hi-tech meeting and event space, a spacious wellness area including a gym, spa and both indoor and outdoor pools.

Designed by Turkish architect Emre Arolat, the unique, modern structure rises high above the buildings in the local area. Arolat placed great importance on finding the right source of inspiration for the structure. In his design, he refers to the pre-existing neighbourhood buildings as building blocks arranged on top of one another to create a skyscraper that blends in harmoniously with its environment. Between these three blocks, patches of natural greenery were added to further enhance this balance between structure and surroundings. Each single block gradually becomes transparent as we move up the levels of the buildings so as to allow the guests to fully immerse themselves in the sky and atmosphere of the Bosphorus.

Interiors have been designed by Istanbul-based Metex in conjunction with Le Méridien brand design management. The hotel design will create a unique experience for international creative minds and locals alike.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates six hotels throughout Turkey, including three in Istanbul – W Istanbul, Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel and Sheraton Istanbul Atakoy Hotel, Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Centre, Sheraton Voyager Antalya Hotel and Sheraton Cesme Hotel Resort and Spa. In addition to Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler, Starwood will also open a Luxury Collection Hotel in Ankara next year.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Daniel Fountain / 20.11.2010

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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