Bodrum - Top 1% Hotels
Nestled on the picturesque Aegean coast of Turkey, Bodrum has emerged as a premier destination for luxury travellers. This enchanting locale offers an exquisite blend of crystal-clear waters, interesting history, and opulent resorts that cater to discerning tastes.
During my recent visit, I explored five of Bodrum's top 1% hotels, each offering unique experiences and amenities. Here’s an insider’s guide to the best of Bodrum, from serene retreats to vibrant beach parties, and everything in between.
As a travel advisor I get to do site inspections of hotels to review them for my clients. And of course I chose the best of the best in Bodrum to get an impression. Not only was I taken on resort and room tours, I was also trying out the dining options and taking in the atmosphere and service quality.
Amanruya: A Sanctuary of Serenity
Ideal for:
Adults seeking tranquility and privacy
Guests who appreciate architectural beauty and cultural immersion
Those who do not require a sandy beach
Amanruya is a haven for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. This resort epitomizes serenity with its impeccable architecture and design that seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings. Here, you'll find a place to reflect and fully embrace the local culture without the distractions of parties or crowds.
Despite a respectable occupancy, the resort felt exceptionally private. This is achieved by the layout and architecture as well as the small number of rooms/villas: just 36 right now (just a few more will be added for next season while a refurbishment is done).
Amanruya is true to the brand’s philosophy of preserving nature, which includes a pebble beach instead of an artificially maintained sandy one. Exciting updates are on the horizon for the 2025 season, including a new spa, a waterfront restaurant, and additional rooms.
Mandarin Oriental Bodrum: Luxurious Opulence
Ideal for:
Couples and families seeking luxury
Guests wanting to indulge in resort life with top-tier amenities
The Mandarin Oriental Bodrum stands out for its opulence and impeccable service. From valet to waiter, the attention to detail is remarkable. Compared to the Amanruya, this resort is huge with 90 hectares and 122 rooms/villas and 9 restaurants on site.
The resort also boasts 32(!) luxury brand stores to give you more reasons not to leave.
While Asian serenity is the main feel here, a beach club (run by a third party on the side of the premises) for those seeking a more vibrant atmosphere is available - I was told it is not disturbing the resort area.
The EDITION Bodrum: Where Luxury Meets Beach Party
Ideal for:
Couples looking for a lively beach experience and yet always in-style
Guests who enjoy socializing and water sports
Guests loyal to Marriott, who have a status, want to collect or redeem points
The EDITION Bodrum, with its all-white aesthetic and luxurious ambiance, is perfect for those who want to blend relaxation with vibrant beach parties. As the brainchild of Ian Schrager, co-founder of Studio 54, this resort brings a unique party vibe to the luxury hotel scene.
The resort features a spa, beach club, infinity pool, and dining options that include Turkish, Japanese, and Latin American cuisines.
Macakizi: Boutique Charm with Michelin-Star Dining
Ideal for:
Couples preferring a smaller, intimate setting
Food enthusiasts appreciating Michelin-starred cuisine
Macakizi offers a boutique hotel experience with a magical, secret garden atmosphere. Unlike the larger resorts, it provides a more personal and intimate feel, with lush greenery and a stunning terrace view from its Michelin-starred restaurant.
While the service lacked the polish of a corporate-backed hotel, the unique ambiance and excellent dining options make it a charming choice. The rooms, however, were less impressive compared to the other high-end resorts.
Maxx Royal Bodrum: The Latest and Greatest
Ideal for:
Couples and families wanting to be impressed
Guests looking to enjoy extensive resort amenities
Maxx Royal Bodrum is a visually stunning, modern resort that combines luxurious facilities with local charm. It just opened in this 2024 season and it definitely impresses the visitor.
The property includes the famous Scorpios beach club and boasts an impressive AI art installation in the lobby where the animation is generated live based on the wind. The lush gardens and high-ceiling architecture create a grand impression.
However, the service, while good, did not match the exceptional standards of the resort’s facilities. This might improve as the staff gain more experience. The resort’s extensive amenities, including a large spa and a variety of dining options, ensure guests can indulge without needing to leave the property.
Exploring Beyond the Resorts
While Bodrum’s resorts offer unparalleled luxury, exploring the local towns and attractions can add another layer to your experience. Here are some recommended spots:
Bodrum Town and Yalikavak: For nightlife and a lively beach-town feel, a short taxi ride will take you to these vibrant areas.
Local Cuisine: Turkish cuisine is renowned for its flavors and hospitality. Don’t miss trying local dishes at both resort restaurants and local eateries.
Recommended restaurants:Maçakızı, Göltürkbükü - Maçakızı received a Michelin star in Michelin Guide’s first Bodrum edition in 2024 - the only Michelin star in the region.
Azur Bodrum, Yalikavak - The original and new generation seafood restaurant Azur meets with food lovers at a very special point in Yalıkavak. Standing out with its unique interpretation and extraordinary presentations, Azur also offers a wide variety of wine cellars and a delicious cocktail menu. With its delightful dining area integrated with the sea, a lounge area offering comfort in harmony with its elegance in the warm ambiance of summer and a stylish bar, it maintains its place among the indispensables in Bodrum's food, beverage and entertainment world.
Bagatelle Bodrum, Yalikavak - Introduced as the first French festive restaurant in Turkey , is located in Yalıkavak Marina. Known for being a New York-born French hospitality brand of sophisticated luxury restaurants and beach clubs, Bagatelle carries the entertainment and food breezes of Southern France. Every detail has been considered to enjoy life to the fullest in the restaurant, which creates a pleasant atmosphere for brunch, lunch and dinner. At Bagatelle Bodrum, dinners are accompanied by popular DJs and the venue's signature dance ritual adds to the entertainment of the guests.
Cultural Sites: Bodrum is steeped in history, with sites like the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (the reason why we call mausoleums mausoleums comes from the first of its kind here) and the Castle of St. Peter offering a glimpse into its rich past.
Practical Tips
Best Time to Visit: The summer months are the main season, but they are also getting quite hot (although the sea breeze helps). So consider visiting in late spring or early autumn for more comfortable weather. Most resorts are seasonally open from April to October.
Getting Around: Since the area is relatively under-developed outside of the resorts, I won’t recommend public transport - rather use taxis that are affordable (Uber is only working as a taxi hailing app here, although price estimation before booking is way off) - and for airport transfers consider services like SIXT or Blacklane or your hotel for reliable, pay-by-card transportation. Even a rental car can be useful, to move between resort, Bodrum downtown, Yalikavak and other places. I tried it and it was quite easy to get along with Turkish traffic - just remember: car traffic is like water and flows like a river
Bodrum-Milas Airport (BJV): The small international airport is well connected to Istanbul and okey-ish connected to other countries - from European countries you often get once-per-week flights (e.g. Discover from Munich or Edelweiss from Zurich). From the US there is no direct flight, but you can get there via one stop with Lufthansa/Discover, SWISS/Edelweiss, Turkish Airlines, British Airways and United with their partner airlines in Europe.
The shared business class lounge was quite full and quality of food could be better, while the public restaurants looked fine (didn’t try though). Turkish airlines have their own lounge in the domestic terminal, so that could be of better quality. You’ll reach most resorts within 30-50 mins by car.
Cash needed? For some occasions like taxis, cash is still needed. But I came by with credit card in 90% of the cases. Currency exchange at the airport is easiest, although rate might not be as good as downtown.
Upcoming Developments: Look out for the upcoming Bulgari resort and potential new management or finally continuation of construction at the Four Seasons site, promising even more luxury options in the future.
Bodrum’s unique blend of natural beauty, luxurious accommodations, and rich cultural heritage makes it a standout destination for luxury travellers. Whether you seek serenity, opulence, or vibrant social scenes, Bodrum has something to offer for the discerning traveller while still being off the beaten path (it’s directly opposite to the Greek Isles).
I myself stayed in the Kempinski Barbaros Bay - I am not recommending this hotel to my clients at the moment, because it is in dire need of renovation - though it has its qualities - I will post a review about it soon.
Also stay tuned for separate articles for each hotel I inspected for more photos and infos!
Let me know if you need help booking a Bodrum trip and want those VIP perks!
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