Virtuoso® Preview Property Shangri-La Bosphorus Offers Exclusive Client Benefits

NEW YORK, April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Next month the highly anticipated Shangri-La Bosphorus will debut in Istanbul as a distinctive luxury hotel.  The property will open as part of the Preview program from luxury travel network Virtuoso®.  Uniquely located on the Strait of Bosphorus, it is the second Shangri-La hotel to debut with Preview, after sister property Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto.  Clients who reserve the hotel through a Virtuoso travel advisor will receive a host of complimentary benefits, including an upgrade at time of booking. 

Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul is situated in the modern city, in between Dolmabahce Palace and the Maritime Museum, with attractions including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace easily accessible. The six-story heritage building is a re-constructed tobacco warehouse, with an additional six floors built underground to preserve the structure's historic integrity.

The 186 guest rooms at Shangri-La Bosphorus span 453 square feet—the largest in Istanbul. Most feature Bosphorus views, as do the 17 suites, each with 800 square feet or more. More than 1,000 works of art complement the hotel's contemporary style featuring Asian elements. The two restaurants and lounge offer an array of options, including Turkish, Mediterranean, Asian and Chinese Cantonese cuisine.

Shangri-La's signature CHI, The Spa, Istanbul's only themed spa, offers eight suites, all with bathrooms, changing rooms, treatment rooms, and lounges.  Three Turkish hammams cleanse and relax guests: one men's, one women's, and one for a couple.

"We are delighted to introduce the enchanting Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul to our network," said Albert Herrera, Virtuoso senior vice president, global product partnerships. "Istanbul straddles two continents, and this property marries the cultures and histories of Europe and Asia, offering travelers a magnificent experience."

Virtuoso's renowned Hotels & Resorts Program includes more than 900 luxury properties worldwide, vetted by network travel advisors. As part of this program, Preview has helped launch hotels from legendary brands including Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. Preview hotels are carefully selected before opening and invited to participate in a relationship with Virtuoso as the sole travel network partner. As a result, clients of Virtuoso travel advisors receive exclusive complimentary benefits at the Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul including an upgrade at time of booking if available; daily breakfast; food & beverage and spa credit; and traditional Welcome Shangri-La tea.

To reserve a stay at Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, contact Virtuoso at 866-401-7974 or by visiting www.virtuoso.com. 

About Virtuoso
Virtuoso^® is the industry's leading luxury travel network.  This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 340 agencies with more than 7,200 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,700 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations.  The network's member agencies generate over $9.6 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment.  Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com. To view Virtuoso's latest videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.   

Media Contacts:
Betsy Goldberg
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Virtuoso
206.254.1053
bgoldberg@virtuoso.com

Charles G. Curkin
Senior Account Executive
Alice Marshall Public Relations
212.861.4031
charles@alicemarshall.com

SOURCE Virtuoso