Starwood continues rapid growth in Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc has signed an agreement with Cevahir Yapi Sanayi Turizm ve Ticaret AS to open a new Sheraton hotel in Istanbul. Set to open next year, Sheraton Istanbul Atasehir will reinforce the global growth of the Sheraton brand as it remains on track to open its 500th hotel by 2015.

“We look forward to a long-term collaboration with Cevahir Yapi Sanayi Turizm ve Ticaret as we enter into our first hotel development together, further expanding our iconic Sheraton brand in Turkey,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Our growing footprint in Turkey reflects the country’s continued growth as a tourist magnet, as well as an event, business and financial centre. Istanbul is a truly multi-cultural city and we’re excited to open our first hotel on the Asian side, offering business and leisure travellers a new gathering place in this dynamic destination.”

“Sheraton’s international standards and impressive track record in the region are in line with our vision to support the development of the Atasehir district in Istanbul as the city’s emerging financial district,” said Islam Cevahir, a member of the board of directors, Cevahir Yapi Sanayi Turizm ve Ticaret A.S. “Sheraton Istanbul Atasehir Hotel will be part of a complex featuring offices, conference rooms, retail and parking, making the hotel a landmark business hub in this district.”

Sheraton Istanbul Atasehir will be located in the Atasehir district, a business and trading centre located eight kilometres from the Asian trading port at the intersection of two main highways, connecting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul. Featuring 160 guest rooms with scenic views of either the Marmara Sea or the bustling city, the hotel will occupy the top section of a new multi-purpose building from the 18th to 27th stories. Developed by Varyap Meridian Otel & Ofis, the hotel is designed by international architectural firm RMJM together with Istanbul-based interior designer, Kreatif Design.

Sheraton Istanbul Atasehir is set to become the gathering place for business travellers, offering extensive modern meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom, a junior ballroom, 12 meeting rooms and a business centre. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby bar, the signature Sheraton Shine Spa with five treatment rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and retail shops.

Signature Sheraton experiences will include the all-white Sweet Sleeper® beds, the Sheraton Club Rooms and Lounge, the Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft® and Sheraton Fitness® by Core Performance™, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

Starwood in Turkey

“We are excited to grow the brand in Turkey, which is one of Starwood’s fastest-growing development markets. Following the recent opening of our 10th hotel in Turkey, we will open four more hotels by 2015 and are excited to introduce new lifestyle brands into this market,” added Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Sheraton is a perennial favourite among owners and developers in both primary and secondary markets, and the brand is now in the midst of the largest growth spurt in its history.”

There are currently 10 Starwood hotels in Turkey, representing five of its lifestyle brands. These include four hotels in Istanbul: Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel, Sheraton Istanbul Atakoy Hotel, W Istanbul, and Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler. Outside of Istanbul, Starwood’s portfolio includes the newly opened Sheraton Adana Hotel, Sheraton Cesme Hotel, Resort and Spa, Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Centre, and The Lugal, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Ankara. The company entered Bursa in 2013 with Sheraton Bursa Hotel and Aloft Bursa Hotel, introducing the fast-growing Aloft Hotels brand into Turkey.

In 2014, Starwood will debut the St. Regis brand in Turkey with The St. Regis Istanbul in the second quarter, followed by the launch of Sheraton Istanbul Atasehir by the end of the year. In 2015, Starwood will enter the emerging coastal city of Samsun with Sheraton Samsun Hotel, reinforcing Turkey’s position as one of the largest markets in Europe for the Sheraton brand. Starwood will also introduce the rapidly expanding Four Points by Sheraton brand into Turkey in 2015 with the new Four Points by Sheraton Istanbul Batisehir Hotel, further expanding the company’s presence to seven hotels in the dynamic gateway city.