The best hotels on the Turquoise Coast for a stylish summer break
I’d go back to all of them in a heartbeat. But which one takes your fancy?
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Alavya, Alaçati
Best for a foodie city break
A quaint town on Turkey’s sunlit Çeşme Peninsula, Alaçati is known for its picturesque stone houses, cobbled streets and cosy cafes with pastel shutters and time-worn wooden doors. The town has long been a go-to summer spot for well-heeled Istanbulites, but it still remains less touristy than the rest of southwest Turkey.
At its heart is Alavya, a boutique hotel created out of six stone farmhouses, with excellent food, delightful staff and charming bougainvillea gardens. Not to mention the enticing pool with bar, beds and parasols aplenty.
Patchwork rugs, antique furniture and Turkish artworks adorn the rooms, some of which have balconies overlooking the pool or shutters opening directly onto the garden, while spacious bathrooms boast heavenly rainfall showers.
There’s also plenty to do beyond the hotel. Beeline for the local Blue Flag beaches, the little-known but excellent wine region of Urla and nearby Amavi, one of the best seafood restaurants on the peninsula. Interiors feature sleek natural materials and soft tones that mirror the local landscape.
Behind the menu is star chef Can Aras, who blends Mediterranean flavours with Aegean classics to dazzling effect. Opt for Amavi’s signature lobster roll and the cooked-to-perfection calamari before tucking into the catch of the day. But make sure to leave room for pudding. The butterscotch choux pastry and the caramel mocha tart are to die for.
Packing essentials: This pair of Axel Arigato sneaks paired with Mondo Corsini’s white linen Victorine (which I’m wearing in the pic above)
Nearest airport: Izmir
Birdcage 33, Bodrum
Best for a romantic weekend à deux
Perched high above Yalikavak Marina, Birdcage 33 is a supremely peaceful adults-only hideaway, enveloped by olive trees, bougainvillea and pines. It has 11 uniquely designed rooms, some of which have generous balconies or terraces with sea views, a heavenly salt water pool and a terraced restaurant overlooking the marina below. Not to mention the outdoor bar, gorgeous hotel pup and delightful staff who deliver the perfect balance of professionalism and charm.
The building’s understated silhouette can be credited to the architect Ahmet Alataş, who is best known for creating spaces that pay homage to their natural surrounds. Interiors are equally soft and soothing, decorated in a neutral palette with warm woods, stone accent walls and raffia lampshades. Plump for a deluxe sea view room (above) or the heavenly garden suite to enjoy a sundowner on your own private terrace. L’Occitane amenities and the in-room pillow menu made nice touches and the Nespresso machine is a welcome addition.
The terrace restaurant (which is also open to non-guests) serves up breakfast until noon, poolside snacks (the sourdough paninis are out of this world) and dinner. The evening menu offers a mix of traditional Turkish and Iranian dishes devised by head chef Melisa Yördem. I promise that the marinated lamb loin and signature ‘Kazandibi’ ice-cream are more than worth the foray uphill.
Birdcage 33 is an ideal base from which to explore the rest of the Bodrum peninsula. Ask the front desk for local restaurant, beach club and hammam recommendations as well as more info about all-day activities from hiking and biking to cooking classes and wine tasting. There is no spa, but the team can organise a massage therapist to come to your room.
If you want a relaxing break close to the coast that’s set away from the crowds you will find everything you need at Birdcage 33.
Packing essentials: This Melissa Odabash striped halterneck bikini top & matching striped bottoms
Nearest airport: Bodrum
D Maris Bay, Datça
Best for a luxurious family getaway
More than half of the guests at D Maris Bay are repeat bookers. And it’s easy to see why. Perched on top of a rocky cliffside, the secluded 196-room property offers splendid views across unblemished pine-clad hills and shimmering turquoise waters as well as an excellent range of facilities and activities for families and couples. The result is a tranquil oasis with a focus on rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
The extensive sporting facilities include a sailing, surfing, and diving school, a large infinity pool, a kids club, and a luxurious spa with 12 treatment rooms, sauna, and indoor pool. Yoga, spinning, and exercise classes keep guests busy if they wish, though most choose to kick back and relax on one of the five private beaches, among them Silence beach where neither phones or U12s are allowed.
When it comes to food and drink, there’s also plenty of choice. There are five restaurants and eight bars, including Zuma, Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et and La Guérite, which serves zingy cocktails, Mediterranean tapas and a good dose of Provencal hedonism.
Rooms fuse contemporary minimalism with Eastern influences to pleasing effect. Think clean lines, dark wood furniture and travertine-tiled bathrooms with heavenly rainfall showers and Hermès amenities. Plump for one of the sea view suites to enjoy a sundowner on your balcony.
The D Maris Bay is pricey but this is more than justified by the quality of the accommodation.
Packing essentials: This Bonita beach pom-pom basket bag
Nearest airport: Dalaman
Macakizi, Bodrum
Best for hedonistic seafront partying
Macakizi tumbles down a terraced hillside dotted with bougainvillea, overlooking a crisp blue bay. Though the hotel has significantly expanded since its inception in the 1970s, it has retained the boho-chic spirit that made its name all those years ago.
It feels more like a friendly members’ club than a hotel, where well-heeled Istanbulites rub shoulders with models, A-listers and Euro yachters. Needless to say, it’s hugely popular in high season, so make sure to book well in advance. September and October are also good months to visit, as the summer crowds thin but the temperatures stay high.
The hotel has 73 rooms, of which 21 are suites and villas, all fitted out with light wooden furniture, vibrant pictures and Rifat Ozbek cushions. It also has a decent-sized pool framed by pretty blossoms and shrubs, two restaurants, a gym, open-air treatment rooms and its own boat! Not to mention the countless secluded spots to eat, drink, and while away a sun-drenched afternoon.
Days are spent lounging on the fabled pontoon decking or lunching al fresco in the terrace restaurant. Come evening, the vibe shifts up a gear: guests and locals mingle over a cocktail or two before dancing the night away.
Packing essentials: These Chloé beach sandals
Nearest airport: Bodrum
Fidanka, Kalkan
Best for exploring Turkey’s Lycian coast
Fidanka is one of the cutsiest boutique hotels in Kalkan, a place known for its proximity to atmospheric ancient sites and long stretches of fine sand beaches. Small, friendly and extremely charming, this hilltop hideaway is the perfect blend of old and new. The vibe is calm and peaceful at Fidanka, making it best suited to a grown-up getaway centred on rest, relaxation and local exploration.
Cosy, comfortable rooms are fitted with old wooden furniture and set around a charming courtyard bursting with greenery. To make the most of the view, opt for an upper terrace suite with large jacuzzi hot tub overlooking the Mediterranean.
There’s also an infinity pool and a decent à la carte restaurant, serving a mix of local and international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy a leisurely spread of eggs, fruits and cereals before heading out to explore the region. Beeline for Kalkan beach, which is only 200m away, before visiting the quaint working harbour. A little further afield, but most definitely worth a trip, is the ancient site of Patara.
Packing essentials: This handy Turkish towel-cum-beach throw
Nearest airport: Dalaman
JOIN THE CONVERSATION…I’d love to hear about your favourite spots along the Turquoise Coast. Where should I check out next? Let me know in the comments below and I will update the list as and when :)