By Contributor,Laurie Werner
Copyright forbes
The view of the Bosphorus from the terrace of the Liberté Suite in the Atelier building.
Aliée Istanbul
All of the hotels bordering the Bosphorus have an impressive view of the boats weaving through the river’s currents and the Asian half of Istanbul on the other side. Rarely do they offer a contribution to the city’s buzzing nightlife, though. The city’s newest hotel, Aliée Istanbul, the second hotel owned by international nightspot specialists Paris Society, does.
The Hotel’s Distinctive Suites
The living room of the Veranda Suite in the Casthouse building in the Aliée Istanbul
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Like others on the riverfront, the hotel, currently in soft opening and set to officially open October 1, is a combination of historic and contemporary: restored 600 year old dockyard buildings on the Golden Horn enlivened with contemporary design, detailed and varied. The 122 rooms and suites are spread out among four buildings, each offering different styles and configurations. Among them: the rooms in the Casthouse with centuries old stone walls, Turkish textiles and rugs, 23 foot ceilings and two-story terrace suites with open fireplaces and private gardens; the glass walls and gold accents of suites in the Atelier Building and the three bedroom, 9,149 square foot Heritage Villa created within the 600 year old former hammam now with its own, smaller, hammam, wine cellar, dedicated boat and captain for excursions, butler and helicopter transfers.
Spa And Wellness
The swimming pool in the Aliée Well+ complex.
Aliée Istanbul
That Villa’s hammam is, obviously, no longer part of the wellness facilities but in its place is a new 4,000 square meter spa with marble hammams and areas dedicated to contrast therapy, including a Russian-style banya (a relative of a Finnish sauna) and cold plunges along with treatments such as cryotherapy, oxygen therapy, and cutting-edge biohacking. At the Longevity Clinic, guests can undergo a deeply personalised health journey guided by a dedicated team of specialists using in-depth diagnostics – from genetic and epigenetic screening to cardiovascular, gut, skin and microbiome analysis. For pure relaxation, there are two pools: the lagoon pool anchoring the shore front Swim Club and Olympic sized pool for swimming laps.
The Swim Club bordering the Bosphorus.
Aliée Istanbul
A Variety of Dining Facilities
The bar of the Little House.
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Dining is also a major focus with 11 culinary destinations showcasing both Turkish specialties and international flavors along with dedicated spots for artisan tea, wine, pizza and pastries, among others. The top spot, though, belongs to Taste by Thomas Bühner, the domain of that Michelin three-star chef who earned the accolade with his Restaurant La Vie in Osnabrück, Germany. This restaurant is open only Thursday-Saturday, serves a maximum of 18 diners, as a result, strictly requires reservations and offers a boat ride first with a saffron tea and amuse bouche service onboard. (Any similarity to the guests arriving by boat in the satirical film The Menu is not intentional.) After fifteen minutes on the river, guests arrive at the hotel’s Wine House to hear about the seven-course menu to come including dishes such as Fluffy Duck “Carrot / Orange“ Carrot Foam and Lobster Boiled In Butter I Vanilla I Carrot I Chilli Oil. They then ascend the staircase to Taste and find their seats marked with personalized nameplates.
A selection of dishes from the Little House in the Aliée Istanbul.
Aliée Istanbul
More casual meals are served in the restaurant Little House, located in a former royal garden and spotlighting regional Turkish specialties featuring local farm to table ingredients in an all-day menu. Within it, Green Corner features lighter, plant-forward dishes such as vibrant salads, grain bowls, and cold-pressed juices. Salads, ice creams and morning wellness tonics are the basis of the daytime menu at The Swim Club. And spread throughout the rooms are works of art, some created by the Artist in Residence program, producing works reflective of life in the city.
The Mondaine de Pariso Istanbul, a dining and entertainment venue.
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The most attention getting space in the hotel, though, is undoubtedly Mondaine de Pariso Istanbul, a sibling of the company’s 19th century, Bohemian styled social magnet in Paris with similar circular tapestry banquettes, a wrought iron balcony and chandeliers all bathed in red light. This is another spot for fine dining but also performances. And, as befits this lively city, the bar stays open until 4 AM.
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