Turkish delights: The only hotels you need to know about for a summer break
If you’re searching out some guaranteed sunshine this summer, the best hotels in Turkey are here for some inspiration, whether you want to join the yacht crowd in Bodrum, take flight in a hot-air balloon in Cappadocia or combine beach days with wine nights in Alacati.
Unlike a lot of places at the moment, the exchange rate between the pound and the Turkish lira is actually rather favourable, which means trips to Turkey can be more purse-friendly, too.
There’s a reason celebrities love Bodrum, which has lots of beautiful beach-front hotels. And with a stay at one of the best hotels in Istanbul, you get two continents for the price of one – not to mention incredible history, buzzy bazaars and monumental landmarks.
Slightly harder to reach, the lunar landscape of Cappadocia, with its caves, cones and fairy chimneys, is definitely worth the detour.
Or simply seek out a sun lounger along the aptly named Turquoise Coast in the district of Dalaman, which stretches from Fethiye to Antalya.
In Izmir Province beside the Aegean, Gaia by the Sea is as close to the water as the name suggests. And in the Turquoise Coast town of Marmaris, Cook’s Club Adakoy is on the shores of a remote headland but just a swift water-taxi ride from the resort’s buzz. Here are the best hotels in Turkey for a luxury escape…
Mett Hotel, Bodrum
Bodrum is becoming one of the jet-set's preferred locations in which to summer, and it is buzzy beach clubs like this one that are helping it to make a name for itself. This luxurious seafront resort is close to both the old town (so close in fact, some of the rooms have views of its ancient fort) and the airport. Mett Hotel is a sociable space, with multi-room villas that were just made for group gatherings.
Conviviality is also guaranteed thanks to its assorted bars and restaurants: there’s the open-air Folie for Mediterranean favourites, Italian Isola and Attiko for after-dark adventures. Other highlights include a spa and its own art gallery.
Argos in Cappadocia, Cappadocia
The chances are you've seen pictures of this captivating part of Turkey and the hot-air balloons that dot its skies. Cappadocia is a little harder to get to from the UK, but all the more worth it to feel like you’re on the moon – the region’s lunar landscape is unlike anywhere else on the planet. International arrivals can connect to a domestic service to Kayseri or Nevsehir in Istanbul.
Argos in Cappadocia is a restored millennia-old monastery in the Pigeon Valley town of Uchisar and close to Goreme and its famous fairy chimneys, which once sheltered persecuted Christians. The hotel has cave suites with hot tubs, a wine cellar and, of course, easily arranged hot-air-balloon flights.
Six Senses Kaplankaya, near Bodrum
On the edge of the Aegean and across the bay from Bodrum, this fragrant Six Senses outpost is lined with oleander, olive groves and cypress trees. Day trips to the Bodrum buzz are a must, as are visits to the two neighbouring Wonders of the Ancient World: the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Guests can also set sail on boat trips to nearby Greek islands such as Patmos and Kos for the dream holiday itinerary.
As with the Six Senses group’s other properties, sustainability is key – the hotel’s chefs frequent the fish market in a nearby village or head to their own kitchen gardens for their ingredients. The hotel is also home to an impressive, 10,000 square metre spa, offering hammams, fitness classes, a meditation cave and a Watsu pool.
Gaia by the Sea, Izmir Province
Izmir Province is in western Anatolia, on Turkey's Aegean coastline. In a sheltered corner of the region and not far from the resort town of Cesme, Gaia by the Sea pays homage to the Greek goddess of the Earth with private plunge pools, all-natural materials and the Aegean’s bounty served at its restaurant – and at the heart of the hotel is a 500-year-old olive tree. Gaia’s particular brand of laid-back luxe involves a lot of rattan, wicker and stone, to create an idyllic breezy, beachy retreat.
When you’re ready to leave (it may be a while), staff will set you up with a picnic and point you in the direction of secret coves for refreshing swims and relaxing afternoons.
The Stay Warehouse, Alacati
An hour’s drive west of Izmir airport on Turkey’s Aegean-facing Cesme Peninsula, Alacati is a town with a reputation for both wine-making and watersports, the latter of which benefits from the area’s constant winds. It’s a swift ferry ride over to the Greek island of Chios, but there are plenty of beautiful beaches right here in Alacati as well.
The Stay Warehouse is just as stylish as the brand’s slick city outposts in Istanbul, with rooms that have glossy interiors, Smeg minibars and record players with a vinyl selection on hand to soundtrack your stay. There’s a beach club on your doorstep, with a deck reserved for hotel guests.
Villa Mahal, Antalya Province
You'll find Antalya Province in the south-west of Turkey, between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. A couple of hours by car south of the airport in Dalaman, Villa Mahal is on a hillside at the edge of the Med, with grounds that are planted with olive, lime and fig trees.
Guests can make the most of the seaside setting by chartering the villa’s yacht for sails around the Turkish Riviera’s Lycian coast, with stops for spectacular swims at the sunken city of Aperlae or at neighbouring Greek islands. The town of Kalkan is just across the bay and a 10-minute drive away. The region is home to the Lycian Way, handy for hikers who like their treks to come with spectacular sea views.
The Bodrum Edition, Bodrum
The Edition hotel group was created by superstar hotelier Ian Schrager, credited as one of the pioneers of the boutique hotel and responsible for stellar stays such as the Delano in Miami and the Mondrian in West Hollywood. He was also the co-founder of legendary New York City club Studio 54. Set on the Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast, the Bodrum Edition has terraces that lead down to its jetty and private beach, rooms with siesta-ready hammocks on their decks and a restaurant right by the water.
It would be rude not to sign up for a traditional Turkish hammam at the spa, which also has a beauty salon and sauna. Guests can make the most of its poolside setting by opting for an alfresco, Aegean-facing treatment in one of the cabanas.
D-Resort Gocek, Fethiye
This refined resort in Turkey is in the yachting paradise of Gocek, north of the port city of Fethiye on the Turquoise Coast. D-Resort Gocek is just steps to the shore, where sun loungers line the peaceful cove. Dining options include D Breeze, right by the water’s edge; an ice-cream and coffee bar; and Q Lounge, for Japanese and Peruvian plates.
For the ideal end to the day, set off on a sundowner-enhanced speedboat trip to nearby coves and islets in time for sunset. The location is tonic enough, but for everything else there’s the spa, which uses medicinal plants from the Med in its treatments.
Cook’s Club Adakoy, Marmaris
Cook’s Club Adakoy is near the Mediterranean resort town of Marmaris and a 90-minute drive north of Dalaman Airport. A shuttle takes guests back and forth to the town, which has lots of shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs – but there’s plenty to keep you entertained at the resort first, including a spa, a private beach and a yoga platform.
It’s a dream holiday destination: the peninsular setting feels perfectly remote, with the buzz of Marmaris just a swift (20-minute) drive or water-taxi ride away. You’ll also be able to hike in a nearby national park and visit the ancient cities of Dalyan and Datca.
Alavya, Alacati
In the cobblestoned Cesme Peninsula town of Alacati and a short drive to the coast, Alavya is the Turkey hotel for anyone in search of an authentic Turkish experience. The rustic hotel is formed from a handful of old stone houses, with terracotta roofs, pastel shutters and, of course, a healthy draping of bougainvillea. Some of the rooms overlook the courtyard, others have patios adorned with white mulberry, olive or fruit trees. Breakfast at the hotel features honey from a local farm, just-baked bread, organic eggs and home-made jams and yoghurt, and dinners are just as delicious.
It’s slightly closer to Izmir's airport, but landing at Dalaman, an hour and 10 minutes away, is an option, too. Direct flights touch down from the UK at both.
Deniz Feneri Lighthouse, Kas, Antalya
Deniz Feneri Lighthouse is in the harbour town of Kas, within Turkey’s Antalya Province. The hotel is right on the waterfront, with views of the peninsula – to fully appreciate your surroundings, book one of the suites with a private pool.
The grounds feature limestone pathways, tucked-away arches and stone cottages with terracotta roofs on the hillside, and there’s a serene yoga deck with a sea view and abundant foliage. Down by the water, guests can stake out day-beds or private cabanas before an easy dip in the sea courtesy of the pontoon. You can scrub up (literally) for supper at the hammam or spend the afternoon shopping or sipping Turkish coffee in Kas.
Biblos, Alacati
Over in Alacati, Biblos is a classic Turkish beach resort, with pairs of sun loungers and white parasols strung along the sandy cove and a cabana-lined pool with swaying palms. For some shade in the afternoon, the spa is an excellent choice, with its ice and salt rooms, 34-degree hot tubs, aroma steam room and traditional Turkish bath. It also gives visitors a far less dreary type of rain – the ‘experiential’ droplets here provide aromatherapy and chromotherapy instead of seasonal affective disorder.
Come evening, settle into one of the tables next to an old tree on the veranda and enjoy the fountain display as well as the food.
Gamirasu, Cappadocia
If you like the sound of sleeping in a cave with an otherworldly landscape as the backdrop, Cappadocia is the Turkish destination for you. It’s also an excellent holiday hotspot for hot-air-balloon enthusiasts, since ascending into the sky in an oversize basket is the done thing around here. At Gamirasu, the traditional cave suites have an authentic Turkish flavour (some rooms even have the typical local dress as part of the decor). The restaurant, where guests can dine on classic local dishes alongside more global fare, is equally cavernous and atmospheric.
The hotel is in an ancient valley, in the village of Ayvali, south of Urgup, with tombs, underground cities and a staggering array of weird and wonderful geology to explore.
Ariana, Cappadocia
Another hotel in the troglodyte haven that is Cappadocia, Ariana is at the top of the Uchisar Valley, which is excellent news if you’re hoping to see some of the region’s famously lunar-like landscapes. Activities on offer include guided tours, during which you’ll visit the underground city of Kaymakli, Goreme’s open-air museum and equally attractive towns such Avanos and Zelve. Also nearby is the Uchisar citadel.
A quarter of the eco lodge’s power is solar-generated. The boutique hotel – which is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World – has its own vineyard, too, so be sure to sign up for a wine tasting. Also on hand to while away an afternoon are sunny terraces for alfresco massages or yoga with a view.
Tuvana, Antalya
For something a little more old-school, Tuvana in Antalya is the quaintly traditional hotel in Turkey you need. The boutique retreat is set in an 18th-century mansion in the heart of the old town, but you’d never know it from the peaceful pool and gardens, the latter of which is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. It has been a hotel since the late Eighties, with six more buildings added over the years.
Guests are encouraged to help themselves to the pomegranates, plums and oranges growing in the bougainvillea-graced grounds. For something a little more substantial, dining options on site include a formal fine-dining restaurant (with a decor of red crushed-velvet seats and chandeliers), a more laid-back bistro and a pizzeria.
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