Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet Reopens
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet reopens with a fresh interior that pays homage to the city’s rich culture and location in the Old Town near Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. All 65 guest rooms have been refurbished by London design studio Goddard Littlefair as has the lobby and its retail stores. A new bijoux spa is next to a Turkish barber, beauty salon and gym. Zones for dining as well as lounging have been created in the newly landscaped terrace, and the new courtyard restaurant, AVLU, specializes in modern Anatolian dishes. The rooftop lounge, with striking views of Hagia Sophia, has also been refurbished and renamed as Süreyya. There is also a new hotel bar, Lingo Lingo, in the heart of the building with a private dining area adjacent to it.
To mark its reopening, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is offering a Welcome Back offer that includes 10 percent savings on rooms with a minimum three-night stay, including €100 hotel credit from Aug. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022.
For more information, visit fourseasons.com/istanbul.
Stay in Branson’s Wife’s Flat at the New Virgin Hotels Glasgow
Bookings are now open for stays starting Dec. 1, 2022 at Virgin Hotels Glasgow—the brand’s second hotel in the U.K. following the launch of its Edinburgh property in June.
The design of the 240-room hotel on the banks of the River Clyde was inspired by the local neighborhood. “We truly believe the hotel will be the ideal hub for visitors wanting to soak up this vibrant city while enjoying authentic experiences,” said James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels, in a press statement. It features two restaurants/bars including the tongue-in-cheek titled Commons Club, which also doubles as a social club; a coffee shop; and a late-night bar.
All rooms or chambers feature two distinct spaces—a dressing room and a lounge—separated by a sliding door or drapery, bathrooms with large showers and toiletries by Arran of Scotland, a SMEG mini refrigerator, ergonomic bed and TV. Among the suite options are the signature suite, Sir Richard’s Flat, which features a personal bar, games table and velvet sofa to create a retro-luxury vibe as well as musical references that speak to the Virgin brand’s heritage. But the real “belter” is Lady B’s Flat, named after Branson’s Glaswegian wife Joan, which spreads over 69 sq. m. and features alabaster-inspired floor and tile lighting. Chambers start at £170 ($204) per night and suites start at £270 ($323).
Guests are encouraged to sign up to The Know, Virgin Hotels’ brand-wide guest preferences and loyalty program that allows for access to room upgrades, member rates, special events and a complimentary cocktail hour in the Commons Club. Members of The Know and Virgin Red—the company’s group-wide rewards club—can earn 2,000 Virgin Points with every Virgin Hotels stay at participating hotels.
For more information, visit virginhotels.com/glasgow.
Le Relais Bernard Loiseau Completes First Phase of Renovations
Gastronomy hotspot Le Relais Bernard Loiseau in the Burgundian countryside has unveiled three rooms, including two “cocoon” suites that feature enclosed beds, to mark the completion of the first phase of a multi-phase refurbishment of the former French post house. Using warm colors and materials that speak to the region, the Parisian architect Arnaud Behzadi has created spaces that feel like “luxury in nature.”
Renovations to the lobby, the 2-Michelin star restaurant La Côte d’Or and the gastronomic kitchen are expected to be completed by March 2023, with final refurbishments, including upgrades to all rooms, finished by the end of 2023 in time to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of famed French chef Bernard Loiseau.
Located in Saulieu at the foot of the Morvan Regional Natural Park, the 5-star hotel has a 1,500 sq. m. spa, outdoor pool, a wine bar and 15,000-bottle wine cellar, the Loiseau des Sens bistro and 33 rooms and suites, all of which come with free spa access. Comfort Rooms with balcony and garden view are €264 ($269) per night and Cocoon Suites with a terrace and garden view are priced at €682 ($685) per night.
For more information, visit bernard-loiseau.com.
Complete Revamp of Hotel Supetar in Croatia
Hotel Supetar, located 21km southeast of Dubrovnik in the seaside town of Cavtat, has reopened after a complete revamp of the 1920s villa. An Adriatic Luxury Hotels property, the boutique hotel features 16 rooms “with Mediterranean soul” and marble bathrooms designed by Studio Lacroma in cooperation with artist and interior designer Katarina Alamat Kusijanovic. Located steps from the promenade overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the property has a restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes made with fresh, local ingredients including oranges from the hotel’s garden, a wine bar and new infinity pool.
For those interested in ancient history, artifacts from the ancient Greek colony of Epidaurum that were discovered during the hotel’s renovation can be seen at the local museum.
For more information, visit adriaticluxuryhotels.com/hotel-supetar-dubrovnik-cavtat.
The House Collective to Expand to Japan in 2027
The House Collective by Swire Hotels has announced plans to open a yet-to-be-named luxury hotel in Tokyo’s cosmopolitan Shibuya neighborhood in 2027. The initiative is part of the Shibuya Upper West Project—a mixed-use real estate project led by Swire, Tokyu Group (which comprises the Tokyu Corporation and Tokyu Department Store) and L Catterton Real Estate (LCRE). The 117,000 sq. m. real estate project features a mix of luxury retail shops, the House Collective hotel, luxury residences and art and cultural experiences. The award-winning Norwegian architectural firm Snohetta, which specializes in creating energy positive buildings, is leading the design of the project.
The House Collective currently has four properties: The Opposite House in Beijing, The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Temple House in Chengdu and The Middle House in Shanghai. This will be the brand’s first hotel outside China. The House Collective caters to seasoned luxury travelers who look for originality, style and personalized service in their hotel stays.
For more information, visit swirehotels.com/en/brand/the-house-collective.
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