Aysal: I think one of the most important things that makes Les
Ottomans special is that as well as being an owner, I am also living in
the hotel. I am always in the operation, taking care of my guests and
checking the details. Also, due to the fact that I am always traveling
and staying at the most exclusive properties, I have chance to bring my
good experiences to our management to implement at our hotel.
Where have you lived outside of Istanbul?
Aysal: Brussels, London, Geneva
Q & A with Ahu Aysal of Les Ottomans What do you love about Istanbul? What is fi ne dining and nightlife
like in the city?
Tell me about your upbringing and how you got into the business of Aysal: I’ve traveled all around the world and thank god I had the
hotel management. chance to see the most luxurious, cultured, natural—all kinds of
Ahu Aysal: Actually I love people, and I love taking care of people. So cities. But I can easily tell you that Istanbul is something different.
I thought that being in a tourism business is something I can really do You can feel the impressive Ottoman history, but also you can fi nd
well. I started with 3 resorts in south of Turkey, Antalya. the best restaurants, nightclubs, shopping malls in the city. And of
course the amazing Bosphorus goes without saying.
Tell us about how you came to Les Ottomans. When and how did you
decide to dedicate yourself to making it an elite boutique hotel? When you vacation, where do you like to go?
Aysal: I have lived in abroad, mostly in Belgium, for 25 years. I always Aysal: Anytime, anywhere.
travel around the world and I was also traveling to Turkey very often
while I was living abroad. I felt that people are very interested in What are some luxuries you like to indulge in?
boutique hotels all over the world, but it was something missing in Aysal: The most luxurious thing that I indulge in is Les Ottomans.
Turkey, especially in Istanbul. So I have decided to realize my dream Also as a person I am gourmet, not a gourmand, I can easily choose
by creating Les Ottomans. the best restaurants of the city.
What are some things that make Les Ottomans truly special as an What do you think is the hallmark of a truly great luxury hotel? What
accommodation? are some standards you seek out when you’re traveling?
100 Thousand Club
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