Tanriverdi Holding Company Signs Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts to Operate a 200-room Shangri-La Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey

April 19, 2010 - Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific�s leading luxury hotel group, has signed an agreement with Tanriverdi Holding Company to manage the Shangri-La Hotel, Istanbul, opening in April 2012. The hotel will be the group�s first in Turkey. 

Shangri-La Hotel, Istanbul will be located between the Dolmabahce and the Maritime Museum on the European coast of the Bosphorus Straits, the 30 kilometer stretch of water separating Europe and Asia. Set within the Besiktas district, the shopping and transport hub of Istanbul, the hotel will be near the city�s financial district and the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre. The neighborhood surrounding the hotel is home to many historical and cultural sites including: the Istanbul Concert Hall, the Ataturk Culture Centre, the newly restored Akaretler complex of neoclassical buildings, palaces from the Ottoman Empire period, and several theaters. 

The hotel will be a five minute walk from the Dolmabahce Palace, the former center of the Ottoman Empire and home to six sultans, which is now a national heritage museum. Also within easy reach is the Nisantasi neighborhood known for its restaurants, cafes and bars and the prestigious Macka luxury shopping area. Guests will be able to reach Sultanahmet, the historic center of the city that lies across the Golden Horn, within 15 minutes by public transportation. 

Built on the site of a former tobacco factory and warehouse from the 1930s, the Shangri-La Hotel, Istanbul will recreate the exterior facades of the old building, which are protected by the city�s Cultural and Natural Assets Committee. From the hotel�s prime coastline location, guests will enjoy views across to the Asian coast of Istanbul, the Bosphorus Bridge and the city�s historic peninsula.  The hotel will be designed by Istanbul-based architect Piramit with 14 storeys, seven of which will be underground to protect the historic facade. The building will be the second tallest on the coast after the Dolmabahce Palace. 

The hotel�s 200 guestrooms, some of which will have private terraces, will reflect the city�s proud heritage while also including the Asian design touches and modern travel technologies for which Shangri-La is well known. The hotel will offer several restaurants and bars including a rooftop restaurant with views of the city�s historic skyline and coastline. Additional facilities will include a health club, spa, swimming pool, business centre, ballroom, and conference and meeting room facilities.   

�We are proud to work with the Tanriverdi Group on their first hotel project to make their dream of a world class luxury hotel a reality,� said Kuok Khoon Ean, chairman of Shangri-La Asia Limited. �We are honored to have the opportunity to create a Shangri-La in Istanbul, a city that has welcomed distinguished guests since the Roman and Byzantine empires, and look forward to becoming a part of the city�s future.� 

�We selected Shangri-La to manage this property because of its sterling reputation in providing luxury hospitality.  The travel and tourism industry continues to grow in Turkey and with our passion for the hotel business alongside Shangri-La�s commitment to excellence we hope to contribute to that growth by creating the best hotel in the region,� said Recep Tanriverdi, company chairman of Tanriverdi Holding Company. 

About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts 
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 66 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 30,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.  The group has over 40 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Qatar, Seychelles, and United Kingdom.  For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com. 

About Tanriverdi Group of Companies 
Founded in 1904 by Tanriverdi family, Tanriverdi Company first engaged in retail store activities. Tanriverdi Mensucat was established in 1970 for the wholesale and retail of home textile products. In 1986, the first fabrics the group started to produce were macramé, embroidery and sconce. From 1986 till now, adding yarn twist, weaving, dyeing, fabric paint finish, curtain, upholstery apparel and chemical production, Tanr?verdi Group became one of the leading curtain producers. In 1995, all companies united under Tanriverdi Holding Company. With exports to more than 80 countries in the world the group constantly renovated and adapted to the latest technologies. Known as a reliable and respected curtain manufacturer, the group�s investments in real estate and energy continue to this day. The group employs 3,100 people. The Tanriverdi family is from Samsun and since 1992, has built five high schools and three student dormitories in Samsun. The family is now building a university. For more information, please go to www.tanriverdi.com.