Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is making its debut in Istanbul in March 2013, Travel Agent learned during the 2012 Luxury Travel Exchange. We spoke with Andrew Rein, director of business development, agency sales, who told us that the starting guest room category will weigh in at an expansive 500 square feet.
The hotel will be closer to the city than other luxury hotels in the area, making it more convenient. It's position on the river gives over 60 percent of the rooms views of the Bosphorus.
When asked if the brand is looking to make moves in the United States, Rein told us absolutely. "It's all about opportunity," he says. The company had plans to open in New York, Miami and a few other U.S. cities, but when the economy went south, several property plans went with it. "When we do open in the US, it will most likely be a new-build so that we can outfit it with our specific standards," says Rein. Shangri-La is currently looking in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.
Visit www.shangri-la.com.
