DoubleTree By Hilton Torba Işıl Club - Murat Yüksel - Hospitality & Marine Interior Designer

Project Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Bodrum Işıl Club

Design Office / Position: Hande Tözün Interior Design Studio / Lead Designer

Year: 2020

Location: Bodrum, Turkey

Project Type: Hospitality Interior Design

Software Used: Cinema 4D, V-Ray, Photoshop, InDesign

Designed Areas:

Public Spaces: Lobby, Corridor, Elevator
Room Types: Superior King Bed rooms, Twin Bed rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Connecting rooms available, Suites
Restaurants & Bars:
• Panorama Restaurant
• Poco Italian Restaurant
• Skorpina Restaurant (seafood / local cuisine)
• Sunset Lounge Bar, Lobby Café Bar, Poolside Bar,

Project Description

During my time as Lead Designer at Tözün Interior Design Studio, the renovation project of Işıl Club to DoubleTree by Hilton Bodrum Işıl Club was completed in 2020. This transformation aimed to elevate the resort to meet international standards of hospitality design while preserving its coastal charm and appeal to guests seeking a high-quality resort experience.

The renovation included updating all guest rooms — Superior King, Twin, Deluxe and Suites — integrating modern comforts such as 55-inch HDTVs, mini-fridges, and private balconies, along with enhanced connectivity and aesthetic upgrades. The layout was refined to improve circulation and views, and many rooms were made connecting where possible to suit families.

Food & beverage areas were reimagined: the main Panorama buffet restaurant was refreshed, new specialty venues like Poco Italian and Skorpina (seafood & local flavors) added, and social bars such as Sunset Lounge, Lobby Café Bar, and Poolside Bar redesigned to cater to different guest moods throughout the day and evening.

Amenities also received upgrades — the resort’s private beach, multiple pools (outdoor seasonal and children’s), spa & wellness facilities, fitness center, and recreational options such as tennis courts were enhanced to strengthen guest satisfaction and overall resort appeal.

Although Tözün Studio led the interior design, technical drawings, and tender documentation, the vision was always to create a resort environment that offers luxury, comfort, and seamless service, aligned with Hilton’s brand standards. This project stands as a significant marker in my portfolio for successfully navigating country-specific challenges and delivering a high-quality hospitality design in Bodrum’s competitive resort market.

The Importance and Interior Designer’s Role in Hotel Renovations from Non-Name to Chain Brands

Hotel renovation projects where non-name or small independent hotels are upgraded to branded, five-star standards (e.g. DoubleTree, Hilton, Marriott) are increasingly common. However, converting an existing hotel into a chain property involves much more than cosmetic refreshes. The physical structure, safety conditions, regulatory compliance, and branding guidelines all must be addressed. For interior designers, these renovations represent both an opportunity and a complex responsibility.

Why Renovation to Chain Brand Matters

When a hotel transitions into a recognized chain brand, the requirements ramp up in multiple ways. Design standards (materials, lighting, furniture, finishes) must conform to brand manuals. Building codes and safety regulations become stricter—fire safety, accessibility (ramps, elevators), emergency exits, HVAC systems, plumbing, acoustics, etc. Guest expectations also rise in terms of comfort, amenities, coherence of design identity, and operational functionality.

In many parts of the Middle East and other emerging tourism areas, there is still a gap in five-star chain hotel offerings. Renovations that bring hotels up to chain brand standard help satisfy rising demand, improve guest satisfaction, and boost competitiveness. Thus, interior design in those cases is not just about aesthetics; it’s about compliance, durability, guest experience, and long-term value.

Interior Designer’s Responsibilities in Such Renovations

As an interior designer leading or contributing to a hotel renovation, especially converting a non-branded hotel into a chain hotel, here are critical responsibilities:

Brand Standards Compliance
You must fully understand and apply the chain’s brand standards (materials, FF&E, furniture layout, lighting, signage). Any finish or fixture must meet brand quality and performance criteria.
Regulatory and Safety Upgrades
Ensure structure, fire safety, emergency exits, accessibility (ADA or local equivalents), acoustic insulation, building code compliance, plumbing, electrical systems are up to standard. Update or retrofit systems where needed.
Functional Spatial Planning
Re-configure spaces if necessary: lobby, public areas, bars, F&B, guest rooms, meeting rooms, back of house. Circulation, service routes, staff areas must integrate efficiently without disrupting guest experience.
Durability and Material Selection
Choose materials and furniture that can withstand heavy usage, moisture, cleaning, wear and tear. Also, finishes that meet safety and fire resistance standards.
User Experience & Guest Comfort
Guest rooms, bathrooms, lounges must be comfortable, well-lit, ventilated, and designed for easy maintenance. Detail matters: lighting zones, soundproofing, ergonomics.
Technical Documentation and Coordination
Produce detailed drawings (technical, as-built), tender documents, furniture and fixture schedules. Coordinate with contractors, engineers, brand consultants. Ensure timelines are realistic.
Project Phasing and Minimizing Disruption
Especially for hotels in operation, renovation must be phased so that guest service is minimally affected. Temporary closure of sections, scheduling work during low occupancy periods, effective logistics are key. CoStar+1
Cost Management & Quality Control
Keep budget under control while maintaining quality. Oversee procurement, sample approvals, installation oversight. Perform inspections and punch-list checks before final handover.

Conclusion

Renovating a hotel from a non-name property into a chain-branded, full-service five-star establishment demands more than design flair; it demands technical discipline, regulatory awareness, brand alignment, and attention to guest experience. For interior designers, these projects test both creative and managerial skills, but they also offer high rewards: elevated reputation, visible impact, and contributing to quality improvements in hospitality infrastructure. In regions with growing tourism demand, well-executed renovations help raise standards, attract brand-conscious travelers, and ensure long-term success for both owners and guests.