Aliée Istanbul, where the sparkling light of the Golden Horn ripples through your windows and whispers of centuries-old shipyards mingle with the clink of cocktail glasses.

Tucked along Istanbul’s storied Golden Horn in the transformed waterfront district of Tersane, Aliée Istanbul rises from the bones of centuries-old shipyards and Ottoman-era workshops, re-imagined as a place of thoughtful design. The buildings themselves—made of stone, timber, and glass—carry an architectural memory with high ceilings, arched windows, textured walls hinting at Roman-era foundations, all softened with contemporary touches. At Aliée, you arrive not only by road, but you could just as easily glide up by boat to the water’s edge, stepping directly into a hotel that feels part of the city’s living history.

Rooms and suites resist the cookie-cutter mold. Spread across distinct buildings such as the heritage-infused Casthouse, the light-filled Atelier, and the panoramic Foundry, each space articulates its own character. Some hide behind ancient stone, with lofty ceilings or stone-floored interiors for quietly reflective stays; others open wide across the water, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the Golden Horn like a painting. Then there is the extraordinary Heritage Villa, once a 600-year-old hammam, now a discreetly accessed private residence featuring its own spa, wine cellar, fireplace, gardened pool, and a sense of solitude. Furnishings throughout the hotel, plush rugs, textured fabrics, bespoke scents, and careful lighting, evoke the feel of a well-designed home rather than a hotel.

Dining is a rich journey shaped by place, history, and ambition. At Little House, you might settle in as if visiting a friend’s garden home, with food that feels cozy. For something more adventurous, Taste by Thomas Bühner offers plates where precision meets heart, blending Turkish ingredients and global techniques in a tasting-menu format. As evening deepens, Pink Bar invites a lighter, playful mood with cocktails and murmurs in a space that nods to mood and memory rather than trend. If you prefer ease and daylight, the Swim Club Restaurant sits by the pool and lawns, serving simple seasonal fare. For quiet mornings or a casual pause, Living Room offers baked goods, tea, coffee, or light bites, a gentle welcome to the rhythms of the city outside.

Wellness and rejuvenation come through the expansive Well+ offering, spanning multiple levels and fusing tradition with state-of-the-art biohacking and therapy. A marble hammam and an indoor pool stand beside modern modalities: cryotherapy, oxygen and light therapies, vibroacoustic healing, and personalized longevity programs, a blend that honors both ancient rituals and contemporary sensibilities. Saunas, plunge pools, salt-wall rooms, and a dedicated relaxation lounge round out the experience.

Staying at Aliée Istanbul, you don’t just witness Istanbul. You inhabit it. When evening falls, and the Golden Horn’s water ripples under soft light, the hotel doesn’t just shimmer—it breathes.