Raffles Istanbul is set to open September 1st in Turkey.

At the heart of the Zorlu Center, a modern-day bazaar, Raffles Istanbul overlooks the Bosphorus, the Prince Islands, and the historic peninsula.

Hirsch Bedner Associates‘ (HBA) completed the design, which features a contemporary Turkish appeal and local artwork. The hotel offers 132 guestrooms and 49 suites with expansive windows. Two restaurants, several bars and lounges, and a patisserie make up the F&B outlets, as well as Long Bar, which is highlighted by its custom chandelier and its crystal tops.
The entry, comprised of onyx walls, gold mosaic floors, and crystal chandeliers, creates a dream-like atmosphere. In the lobby, Lavinia lounge is named after Martin Dawe’s monumental bronze “Lavinia,” a focal point in the lobby, and pays homage to the poem of the same name by Turkish poet Ozdemir Asaf.
“The spirit of Raffles fits perfectly into this extraordinary capital city at such an exciting time,” says Peter French, president of Raffles Hotels & Resorts. “Our philosophy is to create an oasis where people can come together and continue on refreshed. It is this tradition of bringing people together that is an essential feature of the story of Raffles Istanbul.”
