Istanbul fills up with luxury hotels

Istanbul continues to attract international hotel chainsThis attraction is all the more real given the dynamism of local investors, encouraged in particular by Turkey's central government. By launching major infrastructure projects, it is at the same time promoting local capitalism, which benefits from this.

Istanbul's role as an economic and cultural hub attracts top-of-the-range hotels

New hotels are springing up all over Istanbul in response to the exponential growth in tourism - at least until the Covid crisis. Before the pandemic, Istanbul welcomed 14.8 million tourists, a third of whom came for a business trip.. This figure falls to 5 million in 2020. It finally rose to just over 9 million in 2021. The upturn continues in 2022, and Istanbul could soon be flirting with visitor numbers comparable to pre-Covid levels.

The pandemic-induced slowdown in 2020 continued well into the first half of 2021. However, from July 2021 onwards, hotels saw their occupancy rates rise above 60%. This trend continued until the end of the year. This led to an increase in RevPAR (revenue per room) of more than 75% in euros compared with 2020.

In 2019, Istanbul had 563 establishments with a licence from the Ministry of Tourism, representing a total of 114,717 beds.. Around a hundred hotels were classified in the top-of-the-range or luxury segment. Between 2021 and 2023, hotel consultants are forecasting the opening of 13 hotels in this 4- and 5-star segment. This represents 2,709 additional rooms.

Asian chains target Istanbul

Because it is the hub between East and West,Asian hotel investors have been setting their sights on Istanbul for several years now. Shangri-La and Six Senses, which have been present for several years, will be joined in 2021 by Mandarin Oriental. Peninsula is also due to arrive on the shores of the Bosphorus in 2023.

Barely out of the pandemic, Istanbul saw in August 2021 the opening of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Bosphore. Located on the banks of the Bosphorus in the elegant district of Kuruçeşmen, this This urban resort has 100 rooms and suites. The marble and woodwork evoke the style of the great ocean liners of the 1930s. A waterside restaurant and spa are among the resort's signature features.

In addition, 2022 saw the opening of a second luxury JW Marriott. Le JW Marriott Marmara Sea is located by the sea, close to the old Attaturk airport. The 17-storey building has 204 rooms and suites overlooking the Marmara Sea and the Istanbul skyline.

In the third quarter Radisson Hotel Apartments Delta Istanbul Esenyurt opens its doors. Located in a modern district in the European part of the city, the hotel is the 15th in the group. It offers 240 flats, a restaurant and a spa in a four-star segment.

In early 2023, the Peninsula Istanbul is set to open its doors. Located in the Galataport Istanbul district and surrounded by landscaped gardens, the hotel will offer 177 rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Bosphorus. Several restaurants, a swimming pool on the Bosphorus, steam baths in the Peninsula spa and a shopping arcade will complete the offer. The hotel incorporates a number of historic buildings.

Also in 2023, a second Mandarin Oriental will be inaugurated. The facility, called Mandarin Oriental Etileris located in a three-tower complex in one of Istanbul's most exclusive districts. More than 400 rooms, suites, flats and residences make up the project. The hotel will feature three restaurants and bars, a spa and a fitness centre, all with breathtaking views over the city.