Guests never see the weeks of work behind a hotel’s Christmas installation, only the finished result. But for the team building it, that result is the product of a fairly detailed process, one that starts long before a single decoration arrives on site. Here’s what actually happens between an Istanbul hotel’s first enquiry and the morning guests walk into a fully decorated lobby.

Step One: Understanding the Property

Every project starts with a conversation, not a catalogue. Our design team spends time understanding a hotel’s brand, its existing interior, its guest flow, and what the property wants the season to feel like. This stage shapes everything that follows, and it’s the reason our hospitality work looks so different from one property to the next, even though the underlying process is the same.

Step Two: The Concept Sketch

Once we understand the space, our design team produces a concept sketch, a visual proposal showing how the installation will actually look before anything is built. This gives hotels a clear picture of scale, colour, and placement, and it’s the point where adjustments are easiest to make, long before manufacturing begins.

Why This Stage Matters

Skipping straight from conversation to manufacturing is how mismatched, oversized, or oddly placed installations happen. A proper concept stage catches those issues on paper, not in the lobby.

Step Three: Manufacturing

Once a concept is approved, our production team begins manufacturing the pieces specifically for that property, custom trees, garlands, lighting, and any bespoke features the concept calls for. Many of our tree designs come from our Tree Collection, the same range used in installations we’ve built for hotel brands around the world.

Manufacturing timelines vary depending on the complexity of the concept, which is exactly why the earlier steps need to happen with enough lead time before the season begins.

Step Four: On-Site Installation

Our own installation team handles setup entirely, so hotel staff are never managing ladders, wiring, or placement themselves. For larger properties, this can take several days, scheduled carefully around the hotel’s own operations to avoid disrupting guests or staff.

Step Five: Removal and Storage

Once the season ends, we return to take everything down. Materials built for reuse are stored properly, protecting the investment for the following year rather than treating decorations as single-use. It’s a stage many decorators leave out entirely, but it’s part of every project we deliver.

Why This Process Works for Istanbul Hotels

Istanbul’s hotel market is genuinely international, competing for the same guests as properties in London, Dubai, and New York. That means the standard for a Christmas installation needs to match what’s happening in those cities too. Our Turkey Christmas decoration services reflect that same global process, applied to hotels, malls, and public venues across the city.

This is part of the wider commercial Christmas decoration services across Europe we deliver, and you can see examples from hotels, malls, and public venues in our project gallery.

When to Start the Process

Given the number of stages involved, from concept through to manufacturing and installation, Istanbul hotels should start the conversation well before autumn to protect their preferred installation window. Properties that begin the process late are usually limited to a smaller scope than they’d originally hoped for.

Ready to start the process for your Istanbul hotel this season? Request a concept proposal here or email collection@thexmasdesigners.com to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole process take, from concept to installation?

It depends on the scale and complexity of the project, but hotels should generally expect the full process, from first conversation through to installation, to span several weeks to a couple of months.

Can we make changes after seeing the concept sketch?

Yes. The concept stage exists specifically so adjustments can be made before manufacturing begins, which is far easier and more cost-effective than changes made later.

Does the process differ for smaller hotels versus larger properties?

The core stages stay the same, but the scale of manufacturing and installation adjusts to match the size and complexity of the property.

What happens to the decorations after the season ends?

We handle full removal and provide guidance on properly storing reusable materials, so the investment carries into future seasons