Best Hotels in Bodrum Peninsula
Introduction
Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it, from the town’s crowning castle and glittering marina to its flower-filled cafes and white-plastered backstreets. Even in the most hectic days of high summer, you can still find little corners of serenity in the town. All too often, people refer to the entire Bodrum Peninsula as Bodrum. If you are traveling to Bodrum, knowing that the Bodrum Peninsula consists of several resorts and towns with different vibes and identities is essential. If you do your homework before traveling, you’ll notice something for all tastes and budgets on the peninsula. Having the perfect Bodrum Peninsula holiday is simply a matter of picking the resort that is right for you.
Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum
The sprawling 50-acre hillside resort enjoys privacy along a stretch of the Aegean coast called Cennet Koyu (“Paradise Bay”), surrounded by gorgeous beaches and lush olive groves. Save for the occasional passing luxury yacht; guests unwind entirely undisturbed. (And some may rest even easier knowing that civilization, in the form of the peninsula’s namesake city of Bodrum, is a mere 20-minute drive away.) The hotel’s sleek, contemporary rooms, decked with opulent touches such as Turkish rugs, take full advantage of the striking sea views with floor-to-ceiling windows. But if gazing out on the water from your oversized bathtub doesn’t provide enough square footage to soak it all in, the sundeck, terrace, or balcony certainly will — not to mention many suites’ private gardens and infinity pools overlooking the turquoise Aegean.
4Reasons Hotel
From the 4reasons’ perspective, the four are serenity, design, quality, and attitude, which is fair enough. This place is about the vibe, which is welcoming, intimate, friendly, and singularly unpretentious. (Once you get in the habit of making four-item lists, it’s hard to stop.) If you’ve spent time in this corner of the Mediterranean, you know these are virtues you can’t take for granted. Add to this a restaurant where classic Turkish cuisine is reinterpreted with modern tastes and techniques, and you have at least five good reasons to stay. This hotel is implementing enhanced safety and cleaning measures.
Allium Bodrum Resort
Allium Bodrum Resort & Spa, located in the harborside town of Yalikavak, joins a dizzying array of ultra-luxe resort developments. What sets this one apart isn’t so much the location or the concept but the execution: Allium exhibits a tastefulness and a thoughtfulness far beyond the norm. Its architecture is impressive without being ostentatious, and its interiors are luxurious without opulence. And while the comforts are certainly first-rate, plenty of old-fashioned coziness is on offer, thanks to surfaces in rustic warm wood and textiles with handmade quality. With their direct views of the Aegean — that’s every room — these are top-shelf luxury rooms, but in the local context, the look reads as charmingly “shabby-chic.”
Susona Bodrum
The Susona Bodrum design recipe comprises one part beachy minimalism, one part earth-tone foundation, and about six parts oceanic vista. The 76 rooms, suites, and villas do a fine job of getting out of their way, arraying swaths of blonde wood and swoopy, curvilinear furnishings so as best to welcome floods of light and knockout Aegean panoramas. Everything invites tranquility — plush platform king beds, adjustable mood lighting, customizable MyBar, entertainment wall, and that infallible proof of vacation mode, tubs with a view. Grab an upper-tier room with a private pool and balcony, ideal for an unhurried morning espresso.
Villa Macakizi Bodrum
Maçakizi is a stylish and sophisticated luxury hotel that’ll put a jealous glint in the eyes of Côte d’Azur or Greek Isles hoteliers. The décor is breezy and minimalist but never harsh — this place is meant to be all about the good life, and on that, it certainly delivers. All mod cons are present, yet there’s little in the way of flash — imagine a room in the house of a well-heeled and well-connected local friend, and you’re on your way there.
Kuum Hotel & Spa
With its striking modern architecture, positively enormous (and enormously inviting) spa, several seaside restaurants, and DJ-fueled nightlife, the hotel is anything but modest. A glance at some of the available transport options — yacht, helicopter, private jet — should settle the question entirely. The hotel is home to a particularly spectacular rocky cove, surrounded by the Bodrum peninsula’s gorgeous landscape of rolling green hills and sparkling yacht-speckled bays. The hotel oozes a casual Aegean glamour, best viewed from the vantage point of the enormous overwater terrace. Fitted with shaded daybeds, a bar, and several restaurants, it’s the social nexus of the hotel. And like the spa above, it’s a draw for guests and non-guests alike. Every room comes with its terrace or balcony for closer looks at the seascape, and both the balconies and the views only get bigger as you go up the scale.
Casa dell’Arte
The name is a bit of a mouthful, but it does have the virtue of conveying most of what you need to know about this sophisticated retreat on Turkey’s Torba Bay. Casa Dell’Arte is just that: a house, a villa, filled with a fabulous collection of original artwork from Turkish masterpieces to Fabergé eggs and even a Botero. It feels like the lavish vacation home of cultivated world travelers, and in a sense, that’s precisely what it is. Not to say that you’ll be sleeping in a museum. The collection is thoughtfully displayed throughout sleek rooms and outdoor terraces that double as lounge space, all facing out toward the water and a private jetty dotted with white chaise lounges and umbrellas. Inside, the Casa Dell’Arte contains just twelve suites, designed following a zodiac theme; each contains original artworks and unique decorative objects in addition to standard features like minimalist white sofas, spacious marble bathrooms, and linens and towels made from soft Turkish cotton.
Amanruya
Amanruya means “Turkish dream,” and the resort is dreamy indeed. It was built into a hill high above the sea, with architecture inspired by Mediterranean and Ottoman design. There are no standard guest rooms, only freestanding Pool Suites and Pool Pavilions arranged along quiet footpaths, imitating the layout of a clifftop village. Each was constructed using traditional building techniques and materials: floors made of white marble, hand-carved stone detailing, and furniture made of native acajau wood. But needless to say, this isn’t your Turkish grandmother’s house. Contemporary amenities are plentiful, from underfloor heating to espresso machines and spectacularly sleek bathrooms with rain showers and oversized tubs. There’s a distinctly romantic air here, thanks to the traditional charcoal fireplace, four-poster beds, hand-woven rugs, and daybeds for two set up alongside each suite’s and pavilion’s private marble swimming pool.
The Bodrum EDITION
Perched on a hill just 3km from the gorgeous Yalikavak Marina, The Bodrum EDITION offers enthralling coastal views of the turquoise coast with its terraces, promenades, and seaside pools and spa. Sleek, sharp, and stylish, this hotel provides luxuriant food, both casual and refined, as well as two sensational bars for a romantic Mediterranean-inspired evening. With spacious rooms, suites, and bungalows, you can expect polished stone floors, marble baths, and bright, light decor for ultimate relaxation. The service is kingly at this majestic five-star resort.
Caresse Bodrum
This luxury resort is on a spectacular section of Bodrum’s coastline, with stunning beaches, seaside pools, and terraces. Its 75 airy rooms and nine suites are decorated with modern furnishings complimented by a Turkish twist, enticing such esteemed visitors as the Saudi royal family. Its four restaurants feature everything from contemporary and traditional Aegean cuisine to sushi, making the best use of locally caught fish and rarer global options. The hotel’s boats are available to hire for coastal excursions, including a luxury yacht features in James Bond’s Casino Royale. Take advantage of the dazzling and well-stocked seafront bar in the evening, watching the lights bounce off the seawater.
Swissôtel Resort Bodrum Beach
Swissotel Resort, Bodrum Beach, lies directly on the waterfront in Turgutreis, approximately 20 km (12 mi) from the center of Bodrum. The two-story hotel comprises 66 rooms and suites, with a minimum of 40 m² per room. 72 serviced residences further complement this. The restaurants and bars are places of entertainment, where the ambiance runs from formal to casual, and dishes are prepared with the best local products. With indoor & outdoor pools and Purovel Spa & Sport facilities, the resort provides guests with various sports and leisure opportunities.
Cape Bodrum
The Aegean coastline here is laced with bays and coves, and Gundogan is one of the most beautiful ones. Cape Bodrum Beach Resort is right here with a perfect vista, offering a harmoniously blended luxury and nature for true relaxation: a calm cove, a spellbinding sunrise, and serenity. And much more is here to enjoy. A fine example of architecture, reflecting the vivid color of the turquoise Aegean Sea with spacious terraces, Cape Bodrum offers 110 rooms and suites for your relaxation.
