Istanbul Edition, a creative venture between boutique hotelier Ian Schrager and Marriott, will make its stylish debut in April. Designed in collaboration with New York-based architectural firm Gabellini Sheppard, the hotel offers 77 guest lofts measuring 480 square feet-some with oversized terraces. Designed like a beautifully crafted jewel-box, each loft includes an entrance vestibule, bedroom area, work station, and generous seating area with large windows overlooking the city. The guestrooms are decorated entirely in wood (including rosewood or soaped oak), creating a sensuous natural element from floor to ceiling that reflects the cocooning warmth of a ship’s interior. Deep U-shaped sofas surround a height-adjustable table, while extravagant glass-walled, five-fixture bathrooms in beige stone and marble have sheers and curtains that may be drawn for privacy. A 2,800-square-foot penthouse caps the 13-story tower.
Eastern touches are present throughout. Walls, ceilings, and floors are lined with mosaic tiles, a cornerstone of traditional Byzantine architecture, and public spaces are bejeweled with bronze and gold leaf reminiscent of Ottoman style.
In the tall domed lobby, a bar features a dark-rose wood interior backed by a luminescent, 30-foot aquarium housing tropical fish. The bar adjoins a comfortable seating area of deep, low, built-in sofas around an oversized central ottoman, which was inspired by the traditional Turkish tea room divan and designed for the time-honored ritual of tea-drinking and unhurried conversation. The Drawing Room, a private haven for lounging and relaxing, provides three flexible meeting studios, a screening room perfect for movies, and a 3,000-square-foot event space.
An atmosphere of luxury pervades the three-floor ESPA, designed by HBA London. Defining the space are sumptuous lighting, sparkling crystals, rich metallic woods, embossed bronze floors, cast bronze sinks, chocolate brown marble, opulent seating, and walls upholstered in exquisite horsehair. “The ESPA journey is one of comfort, glamor, and alluring charm featuring mysterious spaces to relax and rejuvenate,” explains Nathan Hutchins, associate, HBA London. “Inspiration for the spa’s design was taken from the faceted cut-out patterns found in a traditional Hammam to create a subtle yet atmospheric feeling using light and dark.”
“The play of light was the other main component in the design inspiration, creating shadows and shafts of light in unexpected spaces,” adds Inge Moore, principal. “These concepts married with a rich selection of materials and rich wall paneling creates luxurious, alluring, opulent spaces that make the guest feel both indulged and protected. Our aim was to design a spa that creates an unforgettable experience.”
Other hotel amenities include Cipriani restaurant, a business center, and nightclub.
