The Fairmont brand will arrive in Turkey with the Fairmont Quasar Istanbul in January. The opening will be the fifth Turkish luxury property for AccorHotels, Fairmont’s parent company, which currently has 32 hotels and resorts in the country and three additional outposts in the pipeline for 2017. The 209-room hotel—located on the site of a circa-1930s Art Deco liquor factory designed by Robert Mallet Stevens—will house 25 suites and offer panoramic views of the skyline and the Bosphorus.
“The Fairmont Istanbul is a dream: of a rich past that is strongly rooted in the present,” says Joanne Yong, managing director for Wilson Associates. “The design weaves both heritage and stylish modernity; where the guest experience subliminally mirrors the ageless Turkish concept of journey & welcome.”
Glamorous design details from New York-based firm Wilson Associates reference local culture with elements such as blue leather-tufted headboards inspired by the nearby water, minibars that recall vintage travel trunks, and showers reminiscent of traditional Turkish hammams. Guestrooms will also boast industrial touches and ample space and natural light. The design blends Istanbul’s urban culture and industrial flair with the city’s storied past for a strong sense of place.
The hotel is also located adjacent to the Marcel Wanders-designed Fairmont Quasar Residences, which comprises 64 additional accommodations. The two properties both are representative of New York and Paris, longstanding pillars of style and high design. Bound through timeless yet modern elements, both designs straddle principles old and new.
The property features four dining options: Turkish concept Aila puts a modern spin on classic cuisine and feature a spice library; and the casual, atmospheric Stations will channel the former liquor factory. Showcasing dark herringbone floors and a geometric ceiling design, Demlique serves traditional Turkish coffee and tea, while Ukiyo, located on the terrace, offers Asian-inspired fare and Bosphorus views.
Willow Stream Spa will offer peaceful escape from the city with nine treatment rooms, a traditional hammam, an indoor pool, yoga room, and fitness center. The property also features a ballroom, two boardrooms, and nine private rooms for meetings and large events.
