Istanbul knows the value of a good rebrand – it has, after all, been known successively as Byzantium, Constantinople and various other names over the past two and a half thousands years. Hotels in the sprawling Turkish city also seem to be fond of the occasional renaissance; The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul has revealed a completely new look following a 12-month renovation, which has seen the redesign of its 243 guestrooms and suites, as well as the ballroom and event spaces.
Reflecting a contemporary Turkish aesthetic that blends elegantly with its waterside setting, the rooms and suites present a blank canvas of natural white and grey shades, on which gold and copper materials radiate. Bright cobalt blues burst from decorative features – bright headboards and colourful cushions – harking back to the signature style of the bygone Ottoman Empire; an accent that’s particularly effective in the rooms that look out over the expansive blue of the Bosporus Strait.