Renaissance Hotels, the upscale brand owned by Marriott International, has confirmed plans to open a new 212-room property overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul early next year.

The hotel is under construction and is to be operated under a franchise agreement with Polat Holdings AS. It will be situated on the European side of Istanbul. Renaissance Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel will incorporate fitness facilities including an indoor swimming pool; a sauna; a steamroom; and a Turkish bath, as well as a rooftop bar.

Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International in Europe, said: "Turkey is an important market for us in our overall development strategy as we move towards doubling our portfolio in Europe by 2015." The new property will join the seven existing Marriott International hotels in Turkey, which includes the new Edition Istanbul hotel and the soon-to-open JW Marriott Hotel Ankara.