Valentine Day Programs At Armada

There are three different programs after a “Valentine Day Party” at the Armada Lobby which will be open for all, on Friday evening, February 14th, 2003.

• A “romantic dinner” at the “Armada Sera” with live violin music,
• A “cheerful dinner” at the “Ahırkapı Restaurant” and “Tango and Salsa” show,
• A “Valentine Day Concert” at the Radio Bar’da as of 23:00 hrs. by Ergüder Yoldaş (piano) and İlknur Açıkel (soloist)...
  

To spend a romantic night by lodging at the Armada is a fourth alternative but for that, reservation at least week prior to February 14th is preferred.

"VIVA LATIN"SALSA GROUP...

MENU: “Wedding Soup”, Love pastry, Green Salad with Ginger, Chicken Medallion with Vegetables, Parfait with Nuts & Warm Choclate...

Prices: (Including domesting drinks and VAT. )

1) Ahırkapı Restaurant 40.000.000.- TL./pp
2) Armada Sera 50.000.000.- TL. /pp
3) Radio Bar Concert; 30.000.000.-TL./pp (2 domestic drinks and fresh fruits included).

(2)+ (3) 65.000.000.- TL /pp

BED & BREAKFAST: 75.000.000.- TL/pp

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For reservation please call ARMADA Sales Office
Tel: 90-212-638 1370 (8 lines) Fax: 90-212 518 50 60 –
e-mail: info@armadahotel.com.tr

Ms.Zerrin Kelebek , Sales Mgr.

Small Hotels Met At The Armada

The owners of the best small hotels in Turkey which were listed in "Small Hotels Book - 2002" which is one of the the "best-sellers" by Sevan and Mujde Nisanyan, met at the Armada for the first time!

The managers and/or owners of the small hotels around Turkey were met at the Armada on December 17, 2002 upon the Nisanyans´ invitation. They were in common by being "small", "respectful to culture and the environment". The Nisanyans caried out the small hotels those they found -their number were over 160- to the Internet as well and prepared a web site at the http://www.nisanyan.net/ address. The authors presented this web site during the first part of the meeting as of 09.00 till 12.30 hours. Then, the participants discussed that what else they could have done for using the web more creatively and servicing their guests more efficiently in 2003 and the coming years...

Armada 79th Repuclic Day Ball

The 79th Republic Day will be celebrated with a traditional Ball at The Armada on October 29th, 2002.

The Ball will begin with a coctail party at the Lobby which will start at 20:00 and finish at 20:30. Then the guests will have Gala Dinner at the Ahirkapi Restaurant . Live music by the Republic Orchestra and Tango will be the main features of the night.

For additional info:
(0212- 638 13 70 - 78)
Z. Kelebek
info@armadahotel.com.tr

A Family from Missisippi at the ARMADA

A turtle family (*) from Missisippi which settled in the Marble Poll in the Lobby of the Armada is attracting everyone´s attention. At the beginning when they first came three years ago they were only two but now they are 19 of them!

They also inspire artists such as Wolinski!

The world-reknown French cartoonist George Wolinski who stayed in Armada drew a cartoon and stated how he sees the Armada Hotel! The original of the cartoon is being exhibited in the Lobby of the Armada nearby the Marble Pool in which this turtle family has been living...

The Lobby...

The Red-eared Sliders...

"I wish I could be a turtle in the Armada!"... Wolinski- (The original of the cartoon in the Armada note-book...)

(*) “Trachemys scripta elegans”
Source:
http://www.tortoise.org/gallery/picred.html and
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/elegans.html

Healty Menus on Armada Terrace

Within the last two months of the summer, the guests of the Armada Terrace will enjoy new tastes of Istanbul while they enjoy the views of the historical peninsula…

The Armada Hotel prepared a new menu for the 2002 summer along with the well known beauties of the Terrace which makes not only the foreign visitors but also the Istanbul citizens admired to itself. Some of the new meals are "pastry with smoked salmon", "Ahirkapı roll with chicken" (traditional "durum"), "cold soup with yogurt", various vegetable and sea-food salads... There are also "light" alternatives of them which has exactly the same taste but were just arranged according to Montignac rules!

Reservation required. Tel: 212- 638 1370-78
Fax: 212- 518 5060
e-mail: info@armadahotel.com.tr and Mr. Can Sengul, The Resident Manager

A Traditional Open Festival: "Hıdrellez-2002"

It´s almost spring!

According to the cultural tradition, the Anatolian people used to celebrate "spring" with a festival called "Hıdrellez" or the "festivity of spring" on each May´s 5th day. It is said that, whatever you wish for that night comes true! So, after such a "gray" winter, the Armada Hotel is organizing a semi-contemporary "Hıdrellez-2002" and inviting all of Istanbul’s citizens to come and participate. The activities begin on Ahırkapı Street which Armada is on and will spread to the adjacent streets, Sunday evening (5th of May). All the traditional spring foods and drinks (both the traditional ones and the brewery) will be sold through the street-buffets, while the local musicians perform gypsy and Balkan music.

The "Ahırkapı Roman Orchestra" which is consisting of the neighboring musician groups of Ahırkapı community will perform its first concert in the "New Armada Garage"...

"Küçük Hasan from Lüleburgaz" a "zurna" genious (Pls. see what this instrument is: -zurna in English-)and the drum master "Tamer Kum and his group" will also be the "guest musicians" of the night!

PROGRAM:

19.30- Opening the "Hıdrellez-2002" at Ahırkapı Street

Street concerts by the local musicians...
Spring foods by the portable street-shops: "Döner" kepab, meatball, "kokoreç", fish in bread, rice, pastry, "baklava", icecream, dried-nuts, etc. etc...
Lemonade, "scherbet", all other sorts of drinks...

22.00 - Concert- Venue: "Armada New Garage": "Ahırkapı Roman Orchestra"(Entrance 3 millionTL)

The gala performance of the orchestra. Conductor: Reşat Şenyaylar, Violin.

And the guest performers:

"Lüleburgazlı Küçük Hasan", a "Zurna" master and Tamer Kum & his drum ensemble

(Hasan and Tamer sometimes accompany to the team of world-reknown Turkish musician Kudsi Erguner like the concert which will be held in Tunusia in the late May)

Do not miss this wonderful opportunity! Keep a wish and join in the festival!

For detailed information call Armada: 212-638 1370-78

e-mail:info@armadahotel.com.tr

Armada By Wolinski

The world-reknown French cartoonist George Wolinski who stayed in Armada last week drew a cartoon and stated how he sees the Armada Hotel! The original of the cartoon (*) is being exhibited in the Lobby of the Armada nearby the Marble Pool in which a turtle family has been living...

A short biography of Wolinski...

(*) Please do not copy without permission!

J & J At The Radio Bar

Judy and Jacky duo who was invited for the St. Valentine´s Day events at the Armada Hotel, have extended their stay and they will also perform at the Radio Bar, on the evenings of 15th and 16th of February...

The duo who have been working together for the last four years is known as "J & J" by the music lovers from all around the world. They have been playing and singing at the "Karleton" -hotel and casino- of Cannes, France for some time.

The Radio Bar concerts by "J & J " will start at 22.00 and last at 01.00 a.m. Jacky, the pianist, says that their music is very mixed, from old 1950 through 2000 including dance music of the 60´s, also tango, cha-cha-cha. Judy can sing French songs like Edith Piaf also sing "Granada" like an original Spanish singer, "Malageia" like an Italian...


Judy...

J & J...

Entrance fee -including one glass of domestic drink plus VAT: 15.000.000.- TL.

Reservation for Radio Bar : 212-618 13 70 - Sales Team

e-mail: Z. Kelebek - G. Polattekin - I. Kavuzlu

Istanbul And Armada At The "Traveler"

"...Gulls were swirling like moths in the illuminations around Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, two of the world´s perfect buildings. The air smelled of jasmine and of the spices in the dinner I was eating. I was in the terrace garden of the Armada Hotel, in the old quarter, Sultanahmet. The food was of course Turkish, a suave cuisine with a wisdom about condiments and sauces equals the French and a faith greater than the Italian in the clean virtue of fresh things..."

G.Y. Dryansky mentions Istanbul and the Armada Hotel at the August 2001 edition of the well-known Condé Naste TRAVELER Magazine on page 70 and next. Wonderful photograps by Brigitte Lacombe...

To reach and subscribe the magazine through the Internet:

http://www.cntraveler.com

Sorrow

We would like our dear American guests to know that our heart felt sorrow to those that perished in the latest attacks in the US... and -hoping none of their beloved ones living in the disaster areas injured psychically- we deeply share their feelings...

The ARMADA HOTEL Management & Personnel
September 11, 2001
Istanbul- TURKEY

Armada Couples Web Community

Armada started an online community for the couples whose wedding ceremonies took place at the hotel and announced a surprise: "One night free stay at their wedding anniversary"!

Most of the couples whose wedding ceremony was held at the Armada Hotel explain their preferance as: "Well, we chose the Armada because we would like to celebrate our anniversaries at the same place we married and we believe that this place will remain same even years after..."

Keeping in mind this fact, a web Community was started at address: http://communities.msn.com/ArmadadaEvlenenler in Microsoft Communities. Therefore the people who is common in the same object will be able to know and communicate each other, may create a sub-culture group and events in order to help the historical peninsula of Istanbul will be better saved... They may also upload their wedding photographs to the albums divided into years from 1994 to this day and share their common souvenirs.

There is a surprise promotion as well: One night free stay at the Armada for the wedding anniversaries. In order to benefit this offer, the only thing to do is to call and make a reservation 3 weeks before the celebration day..

8th International Jazz Festival Starts...

Armada kuruluşundan bu yana İstanbul Festivallerinin candan bir destekleyicisi olmuştur... İşte 6 Temmuz 2001 günü başlayacak 8. Uluslararası İstanbul Caz Festivali'nin Esma Sultan Yalısı'nda yapılan açılış resepsiyonunda Armada da İstanbul Kültür ve Sanat Vakfı'nın herzamanki hatırnazlığıyla elini sıktığı kurumlardan biriydi... Armada'ya verilen plaketi Kasım Zoto aldı. Resim bu anı gösteriyor...

Armada, being one of the sponsors and sincere supporters of the Istanbul Festivals was given a "thank-you" plate at a reception that was held in Esma Sultan -Traditional Sea-shore- Residence in 5th July, 2001.

For the complete program of the Festival pls visit :

İstanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts

Traditional Nargile At Terrace

This summer guests on the Armada Terrace may experience new aspects of Istanbul life such as the specially prepared water pipes, while they enjoy splendid views of the old city.

The Armada Hotel is making new features of old traditions for summer 2001, along with the well known beauty of the Terrace, admired by foreign visitors and locals alike. One new opportunity is to sample the traditional water-pipes that were largely used during Ottoman times. The best water-pipes with the best quality tobacco (tombeki) used to be found in Istanbul. Originally used for relaxation water-pipes are again becoming popular not only in Turkey but also in European citiesç The "tombeki" used in the Armada water-pipes will be flavored in the Ottoman style with spices and their pleasing aroma will not offend even non-smokers...

A resource about "Nargile" (water-pipe) on the Internet:
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web Site

Mother's Day Forest

CEKUL Foundation and Armada organized a "Mother´s Day Brunch" which will start the first plants of "MOTHER´S DAY FOREST"...

Date: May 13th, 2001, Sunday
Venue: Armada Sera
Price: 9.5 million TL / pp - (4,5 for children)
Time: 10.30-14.00
Rezervation required! Call: 212-638 13 70 Armada Sales Team

MOTHER´S DAY FOREST 2001
Some shots during the event.

(Please click on the thumbnails)

World Dance Day at Armada

Since its establishment (1994) every sunday evening there is "Tango Night" at Armada... It´s time for the Tango-lovers come to celebrate, dance, and recapture the spirit of the 1930´s, a time when the tango was much loved by Istanbul citizens. Tonight´s event will start with the traditional opening dance by Umit Iris and Seval Ugur and before that Mr. Iris will read the "World Dance Day" message written by Murat Sikel...

Year 2001 International Dance Day Message

Happy "Earth Day"!

Who says you can´t change the world?
One person can change the world!

This slogan belongs to Denis Hayes, the founder of the Earth Day that was started in 1970 for the first time. Armada celebrated the Earth Day 2000, with the theme "Clean Energy" by distributing a specially designed cartoon, designed by Tan Oral and underlined what could be done in its own sector. Below, the Earth Day 2000 Cartoon:

Happy Earth Day!

Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne will tango at ARMADA !

The "COLOR TANGO" orchestra will accompany to the world-renowned Argentine Tango Master Teacher Gustavo Naveira and his partner Giselle Anne during the performance which will be held on next Saturday (21/04/01) evening at Armada...

Gustavo is known to tango aficionados in many countries as a true Maestro of the Argentine Tango. Students around the world are drawn to Gustavo´s original style of dancing and teaching. His numerous professional accomplishments include the choreography of the opera "Marathon", which has played at the world-famous "Colon" theater in Buenos Aires. Gustavo is also one of the stars in the motion picture "The Tango Lesson".

Maestro, dancer and choreographer of outstanding reputation, Gustavo Naveira is the precursor of a teaching system that has great repercussion on all five continents. President of the COSMOTANGO® association, he travels around the world delivering clarity and conceptual technical richness. Researcher and analyst of great caliber, his knowledge has revolutionized the dance at the end of the
millennium.

Naveira and Anne have been to the Armada Hotel last year and their show was greatly appreciated by the lucky audience...

* For further information: Baila Tango / Serdar Sungar, GSM: 0532-664 8836 e-mail: Sunum

* About Naveira : Cosmotango

* "Tango in Turkey" and detailed information about the program:Küresel.com / Tango and Baila Tango
* About “Color Tango” orchestra: Tango Catalogue (Bridge to the Tango)

Reservation: Tel: 212-638 13 70 Faks: 518 50 60- e-mail: ARMADA

You may download the *jpg files of Color Tango ve Gustavo Naveira - Giselle Anne by clicking the thumbnails below:

Our President Zoto in IH&RA Board

Kasim Zoto, Board Member of TUROB (Turkish Hotel Association), has been elected as member of the board of IH&RA (International Hotel & Restaurant Association) at a NACE (National Assocaition of Chief Executives) meeting that was held in Amsterdam in April 10, 2001...

Who is Kasim ZOTO?

Born in 1950, Istanbul

1966 - 1975 - Worked as manager in the Tourism Dept. of TMGT (Turkish National Youth Organisation)

1970 – 1974 – Board Member at the “Federation Of International Youth Travel Organization” (FYTO)

1975 – Started professional tourism agency business

1981 - 1994 – Tourism agency in France.

During the 13 years he lived in France, he worked to organize the
congresses, seminars and similar activities of various companies to take
place in Turkey.
He spent his efforts to make tourism an "incentive" in Turkey.

He stepped into the hotel business for the first time by opening Kalkan Han Hotel in Kalkan with a group of friends in 1981.

In 1988, he started work on converting a piece of land in Sultanahmet from a car park into a hotel. This historical piece of land was once occupied by buildings which were built for the marine soldiers of Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha back in the 16th century. Unfortunately, the buildings were completely demolished during the devastating Istanbul fire and were left in ruins.

The efforts that were started in 1988 continued until 1993 due to bureaucratic obstacles. At the end of these 5 years, the home of Barbaros marines was rented from the Vakiflar for 49 years and turned into Armada Hotel, which succeeds to re-create the Istanbul way of life in an area of 2,300 sqm.

Alafranga Restaurant

"Alafranga" Restaurant (pls. see "Restaurants" Page) is more and more attracting the Istanbul citizens´ and foreign visitor´s attention...
Below is a newsclip about it through the Internet media:

NTVMSNBC / Yasam-Lezzet

You may also find news in English in this portal which is Turkey version of the well known MSNBC as well...

Bonne appettite!

The Wallpaper magazine (UK) recommended Armada as one of the best four places to stay in Istanbul

"The Wallpaper" magazine (UK) recommended Armada as one of the best four places to stay in Istanbul

http://www.wallpaper.com/files/000base/index.php3