Sprawled across 32,000 square meters in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Ithaafushi is now the largest private island in the Maldives to offers luxury experiences without boundaries. Beginning with a 40-minute private yacht ride to the island, the guests are taken care by a personal concierge who remains on hand to attend to every desire.
Accommodate up to 24 guests at once, the island comes with both beach and overwater villas, each with its own pool, hammocks, and expanding doors that fully open to put the crystal-clear waters within close reach.
The experience includes a private spa with a dedicated spa team, fully equipped gym with fitness classes, meditation and yoga pavilion, a personal trainer, and a choice of water sports and diving activities. It also offers serviced of a private chef, who is available 24/7y to prepare whatever guests desire, as well as a dedicated wellness concierge, who can provide customized therapies catering to the needs of each guest.
The global brand strengthens its position in the luxury segment with 15 openings in 2025. Key growth areas include Vietnam, Argentina, Italy, Spain, and Middle East
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the signing of Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy, – marking the brand’s debut in Türkiye. The converted property, owned by Cortex Turizm, will become the 16th IHG hotel in the city once it opens in the second half of 2025.
Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy represents a continuation of IHG’s growth momentum across Türkiye, taking the total of opened and signed properties in Türkiye to 45 hotels. The latest signing also joins a growing portfolio of Vignette Collection properties around the world, which is set to reach 100 hotels in 10 years, bolstering IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, one of the world’s largest, with nearly 900 open and signed hotels globally.
Vignette Collection is IHG’s luxury conversion brand and allows owners to retain the independent identity and character of their hotels, whilst providing guests with a one-of-a-kind stay in destinations to remember. Staying true to the brand’s ethos, Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy will be underpinned by its own “A Means for Good” initiative, highlighting the hotel’s partnerships with local non-profit organisations to spearhead positive contributions to the communities in which it operates.
Situated in the historic Tütün Han building, the hotel will feature 51 unique, stylish guest rooms and an all-day artisan bakery and specialty food restaurant, as well as premium wellness facilities including a spa.
(Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “It is great to see the momentum Vignette Collection, IHG’s very first collection brand, is having across Europe since its launch in 2021. Today, across the region, we have more than 14 open and signed Vignette Collection properties all in some of the most sought-after destinations. This is a testament to the trust new and existing owners have in IHG, our brands and global enterprise – including our leading loyalty offer and powerful technology and revenue systems - to deliver for them.I’m incredibly proud of the growth we have seen across Türkiye in recent years, which is due to the dedication and drive from our in-market team, who have established strong relationships with our partners. We look forward to working alongside Cortex Turizm to bring the hotel to life and welcome guests to Türkiye’s first Vignette Collection property in 2025.”
Cortex Team said: “It is incredibly exciting that our first property with IHG Hotels & Resorts also marks the debut of the Vignette Collection brand in Türkiye. We are confident IHG’s trusted reputation and leading loyalty offer will make the hotel the leading choice for domestic and international travellers alike who are looking for a unique and immersive experience.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts has 32 hotels currently in operation across the Türkiye and an additional 13 in development spanning right across its brand portfolio. Vignette Collection, Union Han, Istanbul Karaköy joins other notable signings from this year, including the first Garner hotel in the country which will be located close to the new International Istanbul Airport, and InterContinental Ankara which is set to open in 2025.