Latest Bentley Suite opens in the St Regis in Istanbul, Turkey, it's like sleeping in a Continental GT.

• Curvaceous design inspired by Continental GT range creates a luxury destination for a new generation of global travellers
• Hand-crafted features made by Bentley in Crewe
• First Bentley Suite in Europe following successful Bentley Suite at  the St Regis New York

Bentley is continuing its celebrated collaboration with St. Regis Hotels & Resorts with a new Bentley Suite making its debut today at The St. Regis Istanbul. Inspired by the Continental range of Bentley grand tourers, it is designed for the modern aficionado of unparalleled luxury and personalised service.

As the latest modern interpretation of the partnership between St. Regis and Bentley Motors, the Bentley Suite at The St. Regis Istanbul unites craftsmanship and luxury, with a curvaceous design inspired by the Bentley Continental GT. 

The suite lends itself to entertaining with an expansive balcony overlooking Maçka Park with breath-taking views of the Bosphorus and the city. The living room and bedroom, as well as the one and a half baths, dressing room and powder room feature bespoke details derived from signature Bentley design cues.

Christophe Georges, Director of Product and Marketing, commented: “The new Bentley suite at The St. Regis Istanbul marks the next phase of the partnership between Bentley and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. The emergence of Turkey as a modern luxury destination affords Bentley the opportunity to bring our signature style and contemporary design to a new and discerning audience of travellers who want to experience the soul and sophistication of a gateway city in an environment of exceptional materials and finishes.”

The entrance foyer benefits from mirrored ceilings, reflecting a marble floor inset with a Continental wheel inspired design. On entering the living area, walls of curved veneer evoke the Continental while highlighting the suite’s corner location. 

Floor to ceiling windows maximise the panoramic experience, providing a unique entertaining space against the backdrop of some of Istanbul’s most iconic sights. These same vistas can be enjoyed from an oversized terrace. 

The living room features a bespoke built-in sofa crafted from Bentley leather, which brings Bentley’s unique motoring luxury indoors. 

The sofa, equipped with two champagne bottle coolers, features signature Bentley diamond upholstery with curved lines that echo the architecture of the suite. Overhanging the scene, a captivating light installation based on the Continental’s jewelled headlights and the sinuous curves of the Nürburgring Racetrack completes the room.

Further cues can be found in the elegant wet bar. Inspired by the wings of a Bentley dashboard, olive ash is accented with engine spin, anthracite and claret. The bar doors open to reveal three Breitling clocks, allowing guests to enjoy a cocktail while keeping time with contemporaries in Istanbul, London and New York. A bespoke humidor is incorporated into the bar set up; hand crafted in the Bentley woodshop alongside the cars that inspired the suite.

Handcrafted finishes and individual furnishings are prevalent throughout. His-and-hers jewellery boxes cosset guests’ treasured items during their stay and sit alongside items from the Bentley home collection, notably the chaise in the bedroom. Bentley’s iconic matrix grille also features in abstract form; captured in wool and silk in an exquisitely crafted rug. 

Custom flooring and carpeting line the separate bedroom, where an expansive work desk resides alongside a 40-inch pop-up television. A bed base, tailor-made from burgundy hide and bright engine spin, houses an oversized signature St. Regis bed while an entry touch panel and portable iPad place room controls at guests’ fingertips.

A glass box within the bedroom, the master bathroom extends the bespoke experience, employing marble book-matched slabs to create a dramatic pattern that surrounds a dual-basin sink, glass-enclosed rainforest shower, and freestanding glass-enclosed bathtub. 

A 19-inch mirror television further elevates the restorative retreat, while an adjacent dressing room ensures complete privacy. Designed with travellers' needs in mind, it boasts shelving, storage, and a makeup vanity. The suite also features an additional full bathroom and powder room.

Guests can enjoy an immersive musical experience courtesy of British hi-fi creator Naim Audio. In the living room, the high-performance SuperUniti all-in-one player is integrated into the room, producing a crystal-clear sound, and allowing guests to relax with their own music. 

In the bedroom, guests can access Naim’s award-winning Mu-so wireless music system via Bluetooth. It features technology inspired by Naim’s in-car audio system, available exclusively as a custom option for all Bentley models.

Marking the debut of the luxury brand in Turkey, The St. Regis Istanbul is designed by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat, and is a modern interpretation of Istanbul’s glamorous Art Deco era. 

The St. Regis Istanbul is home to the first international outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant, which stars as the hotel’s signature culinary experience. Located on the hotel’s rooftop, the restaurant offers stunning views of the vibrant city. The hotel also offers rejuvenating spa treatments at the Iridium Spa.

The new BMW i3, launched in the UK at under £29k (batteries are included)

Today heralds a new era of premium car ownership with the launch of the all-new BMW i3.  This revolutionary car offers zero emissions in a premium car package, yet at an affordable price.

The BMW i3 is the world’s first premium car designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system. The result is a vehicle that embodies BMW’s commitment to driving pleasure without compromise.

The use of lightweight CFRP for the passenger cell compensates for the extra weight of the battery, while the low, central location of the battery pack enhances the car’s agility thanks to perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.

**With £5,000 OLEV Government grant.

The electric motor generates an output of 170hp, with peak torque of 250Nm on demand instantly. This allows the BMW i3 to sprint from zero to 37mph in a mere 3.7 seconds and zero to 62mph in just 7.2 seconds, while the lithium-ion battery gives a range of 80 –100 miles in everyday driving. This rises by approximately 15 per cent in ECO PRO mode and by the same again in ECO PRO+ mode.

As a point of reference, since 2009 BMW has conducted research on a global scale with the MINI E and BMW Active E programmes.  A UK government report found that the average commute was found to be 13.1 miles each way, and the average daily mileage 25 miles.

For customers particularly conscious of ‘range anxiety’, the BMW i3 is available with a range extender engine, powering a generator to maintain the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level while on the move. This is performed by a 650cc two-cylinder four-stroke petrol engine developing 34hp and mounted immediately next to the electric motor above the rear axle. The range extender increases the car’s maximum range in day-to-day driving to around 180 miles on one tank of fuel. The BMW i3 Range Extender costs £28,830** OTR.

Both BMW i3 models include a three-year, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 100,000 mile battery warranty. The battery is also included in the price of the car negating a separate lease charge for battery, as is the case for other electric vehicles.

The i3 is available with four different interior worlds: Standard, Loft, Lodge and Suite.  These allow customers to change the look and feel of the interior.  All worlds feature sustainable materials such as sustainably sourced wood, natural fibres and naturally tanned leather.

The price for the BMW i3 starts at £25,680** and £28,830** for the Range Extender. However, leasing is expected to be favoured by customers and the monthly rates are highly competitive. Starting at £369p/m for a 36 month contract and rising to £480p/m for an i3 Range Extender in Suite, the BMW i3 is a compelling package.