What happens when Hollywood designers create a hotel in Istanbul? The result is Aliée, a bold new luxury property that redefines destination-driven design along the city’s historic Golden Horn. Unveiled this June by design duo Dayna Lee and Ted Berner of Los Angeles-based Powerstrip Studio, Aliée is a cinematic celebration of Istanbul’s layered history and striking contrasts.
A Hotel With a Cinematic Soul
Aliée is the flagship property of a new luxury brand, and it debuts as one of Istanbul’s most talked-about openings in years. The design is deeply rooted in its location, with an aesthetic that captures the interplay of cultures in a city straddling Europe and Asia. Dayna and Ted—former art directors and production designers in the motion picture industry—have applied their storytelling sensibilities to every square meter of the hotel.
The site itself is steeped in history, originally the location of the Aynalikavak Palace before becoming a shipyard. Original Roman stone walls have been preserved and exposed, blending harmoniously with a calm, modern color palette. It’s this contrast—raw heritage next to refined modernity—that defines Aliée’s experience.
Design That Honors the Past While Shaping the Future
The 122-key property features 24 suites, each offering panoramic views of Istanbul’s skyline and the Bosphorus through floor-to-ceiling windows. Rooms include thoughtful luxuries: private terraces, fireplaces, handwoven silk Turkish rugs, bespoke bas-relief headboards, and marble-carved dual sinks. Dressing rooms and spa-like bathrooms come standard, and the Presidential Suite boasts a glass atrium designed for indoor-outdoor living.
The standout Heritage Villa takes the hotel’s narrative further. Housed in a restored 600-year-old Ottoman hammam, the villa includes three bedrooms, a fireplace, a wine cellar, a full kitchen, a private pool, and its own spa. It’s a living embodiment of Istanbul’s dual identity—historic and luxurious, traditional yet modern.
The Aliée Swim Club and Garden
Outside, the glamour continues with the Aliée Swim Club. A lagoon-style pool merges into an Olympic lap pool, offering sweeping Bosphorus views. It’s flanked by private beach bandas and an all-day dining restaurant. Gardens designed by Ted Berner run along the shoreline, featuring winding paths, manicured lawns, and native plantings that soften the sleek architecture.
Wellness in the Ruins
The hotel’s Well + Spa is a marvel of design and engineering. Built into ancient stone ruins and spread across multiple levels, the spa is a year-round sanctuary. In winter, hanging fire bowls and warm water spouts create a cozy retreat. In summer, light pours through a glass roof above the central pool, which features a mosaic of a peacock. Elevated treatment rooms overlook the water, and services fuse modern wellness practices with traditional rituals.
Dine Inside a House, Sip Under Pink Glass
Aliée’s culinary offerings are equally imaginative. At the heart of the hotel lobby sits the Little House, an Ottoman-style home constructed within the space. Inside are roaring fireplaces, shelves of handmade pottery, and intimate seating areas. The Test Kitchen offers private dining with a chef’s table.
Upstairs in the Little House is The Pink Bar, a lavish, vintage-inspired setting. With Murano glass chandeliers, green velvet chairs, and Turkish wood paneling, it’s designed to feel like an elegant apartment straight from a movie set.
Every Space Tells a Story
The hotel’s hallways and walkways are more than transitions—they are part of the narrative. Water features, retractable roofs, and hand-laid mosaics form a visual journey. Creeping wisteria, arched passageways, and atmospheric lighting guide guests from one moment to the next. The attention to detail recalls film set design—nothing is left unconsidered.
Aliée also houses a curated art collection featuring notable contemporary Turkish artists, ensuring that local creative voices are embedded throughout the guest experience.
Even Retail Gets a Reboot
In keeping with its unconventional approach, Aliée’s retail space is housed in a former stable. Its past life is echoed in the interior, where saddle-inspired seating and restored stall walls blend sophistication with whimsy. It’s not just a boutique—it’s a design destination in itself.
Aliée’s location on the Golden Horn places it at the heart of Istanbul’s historical geography. For more than 2,000 years, this iconic waterway has served as a focal point for empires, trade, and cultural exchange. It’s a fitting setting for a hotel that honors the city’s past while pushing design into the future.
In a hospitality world full of predictable luxury, Aliée offers a bold alternative. By merging history with Hollywood flair, and Ottoman tradition with Californian cool, it creates an experience that’s both rooted and revolutionary.
