The design elements of Raffles Istanbul have been inspired by Istanbul itself – a timeless city that reflects the best of the Occident and the Orient
Opened in September last year Raffles Istanbul unveils a design inspired by ‘The Dream of Istanbul’. This was created by designers at HBA Atlanta (who designed all the guestrooms, lobby, lobby lounge, Long Bar, Writer’s Bar, and Ballroom) and The Gallery HBA in London (who created the schemes for the hotel’s Arola Restaurant, the Champagne Room and Raffles Spa.) The dramatic, rich interiors are the perfect fit for Istanbul’s exciting new hotel, the embodiment of the new young face of an ancient city – a beacon above the Bosphorus and an oasis of calm and cool.
Working with specialist partner companies Canvas and Illuminate to create the hotel’s world class art collection and custom lighting respectively, HBA’s designs re-interpret Turkish history in a new and modern way. At the heart of the new Zorlu Center – a next generation bazaar where fashion, fine food, performance and art converge – the 181-room hotel features two swimming pools (one a magnificent rooftop pool on the sixth floor, with views of the city), a signature Raffles spa and a signature restaurant by Spanish Michelin-star chef, Sergi Arola. The hotel will also feature Raffles’ legendary 24-hour butler service, catering to every need and bringing a new level of luxury and service to Istanbul.
The inspiration
Istanbul itself was the main inspiration for HBA’s designs with the interiors reflecting the jewels of the Byzantine era, only worn by the Emperor and Empress of the time. These jewel tones are referenced throughout – in the palette and selected artworks. Mosaic tiles, a popular Byzantine decorative element, are found in nearly every space. This careful reference to Istanbul’s history aligns with the importance Raffles gives to maintaining its rich heritage and sense of place. Bringing the design into the present, much of the detail is inspired by the fashion-forward capital that is Istanbul now. This nod to haute couture is particularly fitting given the hotel’s setting in the Zorlu Center, Istanbul’s new fashion heart.
“The first question was, what would a guest coming into this landmark building expect? It would not be historical, classic interiors, for sure. Neither would the space be aggressively contemporary. It was decided to make it transitional, timeless. We needed to connect it with the destination to give the sense of place. Art is part of the fabric of every Raffles hotel – incorporated into the overall design, seamlessly, which is how we came to our concept, ‘The Dream of Istanbul’. Not everything has to be literal; you may have abstract sides to it, dreams, fantasies. You wake up in a room with a bed backdrop inspired by the chandeliers of the Hagia Sophia but they are not photographs; they are soft and volatile, painted on canvas,” says Sandra Cortner, Raffles Istanbul lead designer, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA).
Inge Moore, principal and creative directors, The Gallery HBA, elaborates further, “Our aim when designing Raffles’ signature spa, the destination restaurant, Arola, and the Champagne Room was to reflect the energetic new vibe of Istanbul – avant-garde, cosmopolitan and full of optimism. Modern interpretations of ancient artistry and rituals create fresh and welcoming spaces that are in tune with today’s forward-looking guests.”
Arriving at Raffles, guests pass through an onyx vestibule with a gold mosaic floor under foot and a crystal chandelier overhead. The vestibule opens to a grand lobby with reflecting pools that flank the Lobby Lounge. The focal point here is ‘Lavinia’, a monumental abstract bronze sculpture by artist Martin Dawe inspired by the famous Turkish poem of the same name. Lavinia is a key work in the Raffles Istanbul art collection, which includes works by Turkish artists and works inspired by Istanbul and Turkey.
Another physical manifestation of ‘The Dream of Istanbul’ is a magnificent specially-commissioned work by internationally acclaimed French hyper-photo realist, Jean-Francois Rauzier – whose work has been exhibited at Raffles Istanbul’s sister hotel, Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. Rauzier describes his work as a ‘long-forgotten dream come to life’ and here the image of the Dolmabahçe Palace, an iconic Istanbul landmark, takes Raffles guests on what he hopes will be “a fascinating journey.”
Bars and restaurant
On the mezzanine level are The Long Bar, Arola Restaurant, the Champagne Room and The Writer’s Bar. The design concept for Arola, the signature restaurant by the Spanish Michelin-starred chef Sergi Arola, has been imagined as a ‘feast of discovery’ by The Gallery HBA, whose studio in London specialises in high-concept, original design for the hospitality and residential sectors.
The finishes and furnishings in Arola were selected to build an ambience of anticipation and mystery. At the entrance, walls are clad entirely in sparkling mirrors, a glamorous start to the culinary journey to come. The colour palette of the 74-seat dining area combines the dark lustre of Turkish black salt with lighter colours and deep lacquered navy blue, brass and red accents. Weathered timber has been laid herringbone-style on the floors, and on the walls, as wide horizontal planks between narrow strips of brushed brass.
Within the dining space is an oval column clad with stone mosaics in an undulating pattern, while on the ceiling, stylised Turkish cut-outs inspired by kilim tapestries are backlit to cast layered shadows across the tables. And as a nod to the restaurant’s Spanish influence, the Arabic style diamond patterns of the curved upholstered feature walls in both the main and private dining rooms are reminiscent of those seen at the Alhambra.
The 44-seat alfresco terrace wrapping around the restaurant has an elegant yet relaxed style. Fabrics in fresh pistachio tones are used on the dark reeded dining chairs and tables, while clusters of brass lanterns create a romantic, candle-lit glow.
Just off the main dining area is the Champagne Room, a glistening space encircled by glazed wine displays framed in brass and with a curved counter formed from polished stone slabs. Made from black glass, an extended bar seats eight guests within the room and then continues through the wall into the neighbouring Long Bar. Overhead, a chandelier of glass bubbles – or ‘tops’ – adds to the celebratory atmosphere and calls to mind Turkey’s legendary Whirling Dervishes.
This flexible space is also suitable for private events. In addition, a separate, exclusive dining room designed with a 10-seat chef’s table in front of an open kitchen provides an interactive culinary adventure for gourmands.
The Long Bar travels from Singapore, re-imagined for Istanbul. The 7.5 metre bar has mirrors at each end, so that it appears to extend into the adjacent Champagne Room. At the entry is a sculpture by Oylum Oktem. Another allusion to the Raffles heritage here is The Writer’s Bar – a warm, cognac-coloured space with a ceramic book art installation by Ismail Oklugi lining the shelves. The back of the bar features a custom cast glass installation of fiery yellow and orange tiles that give the room its warm glow, inviting guests to relax.
Elegant designs
An elegant and gently winding staircase, adorned with a delicate tumbling of crystal stars, descends from the Lobby to the Grand Ballroom. At the bottom of the stairs, the guest is greeted by a striking artwork, a series of three cast glass and woven metal Kaftans by Yasemin Aslan Bakiri. The Ballroom ceiling is designed to resemble the Istanbul night sky with 2,316 crystal stars strewn across it.
The spa’s design draws on Istanbul’s layered history and the waters of the Bosphorus – the lifeblood and soul of the city that weaves together the Occidental and Oriental worlds. Throughout the spa the concept of flowing water creates a harmonious ambiance: whether it’s a chandelier made from swirls of glass that emulate the currents of the Bosphorus; pendant ‘bubble’ lights hung from the ceiling like droplets of water; or a water sculpture featuring lotus plants as a link to the lotus flower, the Raffles Spa icon, each one is a symbol of calm in the serenity of the spa.
The vision of ‘The Dream of Istanbul’ culminates in the guest rooms, in a custom mural depicting the ‘dream’ derived from a combination of iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Ethereal blues and greens anchor the dreamy palette, as do hand-woven Turkish carpets on hardwood floors. Every room has a huge balcony, for panoramic views of the city and the Prince Islands.
Raffles Istanbul offers a new perspective on a timeless city, at the heart of the new Zorlu Center, a next-generation bazaar where high fashion, performance, fine food and the arts converge. On the European side of Istanbul, the hotel has sweeping views over the Bosphorus and the Prince Islands. The 181 rooms and suites – some of the largest in the city – all have floor to ceiling windows and private balconies. The sleek modern interiors are embellished with a large collection of contemporary art, much of it specially-commissioned from local artists.
