Shangri-La Istanbul to Open in 2012

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is making its first foray into Istanbul, Turkey, having signed an an agreement with Tanriverdi Holding Company to manage a new hotel, slated to open in April 2012.

The hotel will be on the site of a former tobacco company and warehouse which dates to the 1930s, the exteriors are protected by the city's Cultural and Natural Assets Committee. I'll be interested to see how this goes, for in order to preserve the historic façade, seven of the hotel's 14 stories will be built underground. (Presumably, of the 200 rooms planned, these won't be the rooms that will have private terraces.)

A rooftop restaurant and bar is planned, as well as a health club,spa, swimming pool, business center, ballroom, and conference and meeting room facilities. The hotel will be in the same neighborhood as the beautiful Dolmabahce Palace, and should be well-located for business travelers.