This fall in Istanbul, few destinations capture the city’s energy quite like Aliée İstanbul. Positioned on the edge of the Golden Horn within the revitalized Tersane Istanbul district, the ultra-luxury property combines waterfront glamour, world-class hospitality, and a growing commitment to contemporary art. Aliée brings together the elegance of a grand European retreat with the layered history and cultural richness of one of the world’s most captivating cities.
While guests arrive for its 99 bespoke rooms and suites, expansive wellness offerings, exceptional dining, and private Golden Horn experiences, many discover something else entirely: a hotel that functions as an evolving cultural platform.
Art Season Returns
Mantra painiting. Courtesy of the artist and Aliée Istanbul.
Tony Cragg, part of the “REM” series, date unknown. Tony Cragg, part of the Incident series, date unknown. Courtesy of the artist and Aliée Istanbul.
This year, Aliée’s ambitious Art Season returns with a second edition, further cementing the property’s position as one of Istanbul’s most exciting destinations for contemporary art. Conceived as a six-month program of exhibitions, site-specific installations, and permanent commissions, the initiative transforms the hotel into an immersive landscape where art becomes part of daily life.
The setting itself feels made for such encounters. Historic architecture meets contemporary design, while gardens, courtyards, and waterfront promenades provide unexpected opportunities for discovery. Guests might begin their morning with a walk through the property before a swim at the Aliée Swim Club, only to find themselves face-to-face with a monumental sculpture or a quietly poetic intervention tucked among the greenery.
Sculptures in Dialogue with the Landscape
Flávio Cerqueira, “It’s Better Not to Know,” 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Aliée Istanbul.
Gregor Hildebrandt, “Hansel,” 2026. Courtesy of the artist and Aliée Istanbul.
Among the season’s highlights are four outdoor sculptures by acclaimed British artist Tony Cragg. Installed throughout the Courtyard, the works introduce Cragg’s distinctive exploration of movement, transformation, and organic form into dialogue with the historic fabric of Tersane Istanbul. The sculptures shift between fluidity and monumentality, creating moments of surprise against the backdrop of the waterfront setting.
Nearby, in Hasbahçe, works by German artist Gregor Hildebrandt offer a more contemplative experience. Known for incorporating materials tied to music, memory, and cultural archives, Hildebrandt brings a sense of intimacy to the gardens. His works encourage slower looking, inviting visitors to pause amid the rhythm of a bustling fall destination.
Nature emerges as a recurring theme throughout the season. French artist Mantra contributes installations inspired by biodiversity and the natural world. Unfolding across façades and public spaces, the works create an evolving journey through the property, encouraging guests to engage with art as they move from restaurants and pools to gardens and waterfront terraces.
Claudy Jongstra’s Monumental Commission
Claudy Jongstra at the studio.
Claudy Jongstra at the studio.
The season culminates in September with a major commission by internationally acclaimed Dutch artist Claudy Jongstra. Created exclusively for Aliée Istanbul, the monumental textile work will become a permanent addition to the hotel’s growing art collection. Renowned for transforming ancient techniques of wool felting and botanical dyeing into a contemporary artistic language, Jongstra’s practice exists at the intersection of art, ecology, craftsmanship, and architecture. Developed through a fully regenerative ecosystem built around rare indigenous sheep, natural fibers, and plant-based pigments cultivated in her own gardens, her works embody a profound dialogue between material, memory, and landscape. Jongstra’s previous works are held in major international collections including MoMA, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Cooper Hewitt, SFMOMA, and Museum De Lakenhal. Her recent collaborations extend from institutional projects to Louis Vuitton’s Women’s Fall-Winter 2026 collection, for which Studio Claudy Jongstra developed organic textures, natural materials, and plant-based colors for Nicolas Ghesquière’s runway presentation at the Louvre.
Together, the artists establish a conversation around nature, memory, craftsmanship, and transformation. Their works animate the property in ways that feel especially suited to fall, when guests spend their days moving between gardens, terraces, pools, and the sparkling waters of the Bosphorus.
Beyond the Gallery Walls
Gregor Hildebrandt, “Step,” 2026. Courtesy of the artist and Aliée Istanbul.
Gregor Hildebrandt, “Step,” 2026. Courtesy of the artist and Aliée Istanbul.
That spirit extends throughout the broader Aliée experience. Guests can retreat to the 4,000-square-meter Aliée Well+ wellness complex, indulge in culinary residencies, enjoy afternoon tea overlooking the water, or spend the evening at Mondaine de Pariso Istanbul. Private boat excursions depart directly from the hotel’s pier, offering bespoke journeys across the Bosphorus and further reinforcing the sense of discovery that defines a stay here.
At a moment when many luxury hotels are investing in art collections, Aliée Istanbul distinguishes itself by making art central to its identity. Rather than serving as decoration, the works shape the experience of place itself. As the Art Season continues to evolve, the property offers a compelling model for how hospitality, culture, and contemporary creativity can coexist, creating a destination where every fall visit feels like an invitation into a living exhibition.
