DESIGN : JW MARRIOTT ANKARA
The Royal Griffin Suite boasts a private dining room , library and private fitness room among other amenities .
& Flavors , serving traditional Turkish cuisine in addition to international fare and designed with an open kitchen . A lobby lounge , American-style sports bar and 22nd-floor jazz lounge help round out the offerings .
“ We take our guests on a gourmet journey ,” Al Jamal enthuses .
‘ Approachable luxury ’ Al Jamal notes that despite JW
Suite bathrooms offer massive marble sinks .
Marriott Ankara ’ s modern , somewhat flashy exterior , inside the hotel conveys a home-like , comfortable atmosphere thanks to the predominance of warm colors in the carpet , furniture finishes and other interior details . “ Our main goal is to provide approachable luxury to our guests ,” he says .
Another way the hotel modernizes luxury is by incorporating green design elements , Al Jamal adds . By using LED light bulbs , he explains , the property consumes only 12 % of the energy it would with standard light bulbs . In addition , a powerful water treatment system allows the hotel to use tap water for drinking water throughout the property .
Since Ankara is the capital of Turkey , government officials frequent the city throughout the year , and Al Jamal says 90 % of JW Marriott Ankara ’ s business comes from government , association and business guests . He concedes that the hotel opened during the typically slow summer season , but adds that overall occupancy in the city was up around 14 % between 2010 and 2011 among 5-star hotels , to approximately 65 %. The hotel ’ s transient rate at press time was US $ 223 ( 399 Turkish lira ), according to Al Jamal . He also notes that the hotel has hosted several prestigious events since opening , such as Ankara International Fashion Week 2011 .
“ We believe that JW Marriott Ankara will be among the topproducing hotels for market share during 2012 ,” Al Jamal predicts .
Gümüs expreses similar optimism . “ The project has proven itself ,” he says . “ We have received an amazing amount of compliments .”
40 HOTELS April 2012 www . hotelsmag . com