A first that will be followed by others. Since the end of June, the Ascott group has had a Citadines in Istanbulin the Maslak district. Offering 147 units ranging from studios to four-bedroom flats, with both a restaurant and meeting room, the property adds a new base for business travellers not far from the offices of major multinationals such as Ericsson, Cisco and Ford, or places of learning such as Nisantasi University and Istanbul Technical University.
Since 20217, the leader in long-stay accommodation has been already present in this business district The Somerset brand is one of the city's leading brands, focusing primarily on very long-term stays and expatriation. But this new development is part of the company's drive to expand in Turkey, and more widely in the Middle East/Africa region.
In this context, two new Citadines expected in Istanbul at the end of next year, both located on the European bank. Adjacent to the Fatih metro station and a 10-minute drive from Istanbul Ataturk airport, the Citadines Neba Garden Istanbul will offer 150 keys, while the Citadines Centric Istanbul will be located in the future Centric Istanbul shopping and commercial complex. Located in the Bahcelievler district, easily accessible by metro, this establishment of 167 studios and flats, expected to open in late 2026, will also be close to the World Trade Center Istanbul and the Istanbul Expo Center, the country's largest exhibition centre.
But the Citadines brand is not confining its development to Istanbul, and will also be setting up in the country's other most visited city, the seaside resort of Antalya. At the end of 2026, this major leisure centre will see the inauguration of Citadines Lara Antalya, a 73-key residence located in the Lara district, just a five-minute drive from the beach.
Scheduled growth across the region
Like Morocco, where Ascott is banking on the economic dynamism and the hosting of the Football World Cup in 2030 to open six new establishments in the next two years, Turkey is one of the strategic markets for the group's expansion in the region. " We aim to sustained, robust year-on-year growth of 20 %said Vincent Miccolis, Managing Director of The Ascott Ltd for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.. Turkey is an integral part of this growth, as the nation continues to strengthen its position as a key travel, economic and cultural hub. ".
From 6,000 units in 41 properties in operation and under development today, the Singaporean group aims to reach the 15,000-unit mark by 2030. Among the destinations targeted by this growth are Istanbul and Casablanca, of course, but also Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Nairobi, where a second Somerset brand property is expected to open in 2027. Other cities on the African continent are also on the programme with a Citadines in Yaoundé, announced for this year, and Citadines, Ascott and Somerset apartment hotels in Addis Ababa next year, as well as a Citadines in Lagos. In the meantime, an Ascott in Abidjan and a Somerset in Dakar are planned for 2027-2028.
