The Marmara Istanbul Hotel offers a luxurious retreat in the heart of the Turkish city's vibrant cultural and commercial centre of Taksim.

Built on the highest of Istanbul's seven hills, the Marmara Istanbul offers guests a spectacular view of the Bosphorus and the Seraglio Point, stretching all the way to the Sea of Marmara.

The hotel offers 387 renovated rooms including 2 Club Floors, 16 junior suites, two executive suites and two presidential suites, all designed to meet the utmost needs of the business and leisure traveller.

All rooms are equipped with cable television, direct-dial telephone, minibar, hairdryer, in-room safe, Internet connections, voice-mail message service and other amenities.

The Marmara Istanbul offers you a gourmet's delight in every one of its restaurants, says a hotel spokesperson.

"At the exclusive Panorama Restaurant you can savour Turkish and international delicacies and sip a glass of superb wine while gazing over a majestic vista of Bosphorus.

"The Brasserie features a wide array of specialties for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the Tepe Lounge, drink in the vista of a glittering Istanbul while sipping your cocktail.

"The VSOP Bar is ideal for a quiet evening with a friend or for an afternoon liqueur. For a place to eat over coffee and dessert, there is Café Marmara, the perfect place to meet before venturing out into the city."

The hotel also provides extensive conference and meetings facilities with the latest technology.

"From sales meetings to international conferences, whether you are organising a meeting for 10 or for 1,000 participants, you can choose from The Marrnara Istanbul's elegant ballroom, the Taksim Ballroom, the Opera room, the Anadolu Club Room or six smaller meeting rooms and a comprehensive Business Center which are fully equipped with state-of-the-art- equipment," said the spokesperson.

"The helpful professionals at The Marmara Istanbul have all the experience and resources to make your Istanbul meeting, conference, banquet, gala or incentive program a resounding success.

"The Marmara Istanbul will greet you with a unique facet of five-star comfort: Turkish hospitality tailored to European standards and expectations.

"This combination of Turkish warmth and European luxury and efficiency suits well to Istanbul, a city of various cultures."