WTM Preview Now Movenpick opens in Istanbul November 2003 361 Share The Swiss hotel chain, Mِvenpick Hotels & Resorts, has opened its first hotel in Turkey.“The opening of Mِvenpick hotel in Istanbul is a significant step towards expanding throughout the Middle East,” said Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Prince Alwaleed is considered one of the major investors in the international hotel chain through entities controlled by him and his family.The five-star “Boutique Business Hotel” is situated in the commercial area of 4 Levent and is offering both business clientele and also tourists first-class service in a central location.Mِvenpick Hotels & Resorts has presence in the Middle East with 22 hotels and resort in eight countries in the region; 11 in Egypt, 4 in Jordan, two in Saudi Arabia, one in Kuwait, one in Lebanon, one in Dubai, and one in Qatar. Some of these hotels have been recognised for excellence and exceptional service, said an official.The 249 rooms, including 71 Executive rooms, 21 Superior suites as well as the Skyline Suite, all of which are tailored towards the requirements of businesspeople, are characterised and coloured by functional and contemporary design, extra-large desks, Internet access and spacious safes.All manner of conferences and every imaginable type of banquet can also be competently catered for in the new Mِvenpick Hotel Istanbul.A ballroom on the ground floor covering 520 square metres can be used for banquets accommodating 360 guests or it serves as an auditorium with 500 seats. It can also be easily and swiftly transformed into three smaller conference rooms.A junior ballroom, 108 square metres in size, and seven conference rooms accommodating 12 to 70 visitors complete the conference facilities and, with their state-of-the-art technology.The hotel’s “Restaurant Azzur” offers Mediterranean-style cuisine.The “Baradox” Bar is the place for a relaxing drink after work or for a pre-dinner aperitif. It also serves its guests Mِvenpick Premium Ice-Cream and Mِvenpick coffee. Guests can also relax and forget all their cares in the hotel’s own Health Club.