During the summer, the Mediterranean Sea is arguably the sexiest place on Earth. With jet-set hotspots from Ibiza, to St. Tropez, Capri, or the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, the hedonistic hangouts offer steamy days and sultry nights. Each of these alluring destinations comes complete with the well-to-do travelers flocking to their swanky hotels to laze about the pool sunbathing, spend days  hopping beach clubs , or lounging about on a yacht at sea. Yet further east in the cerulean blue waters of the Agean Sea is a destination just as beguiling along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. There visitors will find a hip holiday in Bodrum at the uber-chic Macakızı Hotel Bodrum.

The Maçakızı Resort is set high upon a hillside overlooking the azure blue waters of Türkbükü Bay. Türkbükü is a quaint seaside village with a bevy of upscale beach clubs, swanky hotels, and waterfront eateries. Bodrum is about 45 minutes by car.

The vibe is distinctly bohemian and chilled out, with the kind of laid-back luxury that hotels like this afford. Of course, the jet-set crowd is there; models in high-fashion swimwear and the well-to-do peeking out from behind their designer shades. This is however not the place to see and be seen.  The guests here are too sophisticated for that and barely take notice of the A-listers there on holiday.

Where it all began: A 1970 Artist’s Colony

The boho chic and artsy vibe is no mistake and is part of the hotel’s DNA. In the 70’s, Maçakızı was created by Ayla Emiroğlu as a haven for intellectuals, artists, and writers. Today the hotel is run by her son, Sahir Erozan, who has taken the rustic retreat and updated it to a contemporary and cosmopolitan hotspot with all the modern amenities demanded by today’s well-heeled traveler.

The Boho-Chic Vibe and Relaxed Luxury Decor

When guests arrive they will not find the predictable front desk to check-in. Instead is the switched-on staff that treats each guest as a VIP, providing them with their personal whatsapp number making it easy to reach them with any request during the stay.

A legacy of the hotel’s roots as an artist’s colony remains in the vibe which is relaxed and chilled, more like a private club than a standard hotel. The grounds are lush with palm, olive, magnolia, and oleander gardens with pops of color from bougainvillea The boho-chic boutique hotel offers a modern open-air design, artsy ambiance,  minimalist décor with touches of nautical elements that add an element of authenticity to the design.

The hotel is arranged on four levels on the hillside with the rooms and suites on the top level. Down the stone stairs on the third level is the pool and indoor theater, breakfast and lunch pavilion with an open kitchen offering a menu of haute Mediterranean cuisine. The  alfresco dining area and oversized square-shaped bar follows next. The final level is by the sea is where you’ll find the canopied wooden deck that fronts the coastline with lounges set for sunbathing and the hotel yacht on standby for an adventure at sea.

However, the hotel’s most alluring feature is the drop-dead gorgeous views of the Aegean Sea dotted with sailboats and yachts. The  emerald sea is beguiling to watch as it sparkles by day and at night twinkles from the moonlight.

Gastronomic Bling at The Maçakızı Hotel Bodrum

The Maçakızı Hotel Bodrum has pulled out all of the stops for a culinary experience that is beyond fabulous. The restaurant is set on the open-air  terrace under canvas sails with meals overlooking the idyllic bay. Executive Chef Aret Sahakyan has worked in top international restaurants and has created a menu to impress with re-imagined haute Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.

The menu is heavily focused on fresh seafood supplied by local fishermen with wines paired from one of the top wine cellars in the region. Expect dishes such as lobster Böcek, octopus with black risotto, and grilled grouper with red pepper coulis. Guests can also enjoy the “Chef Nights” which are regularly organized in collaboration with local and international guest chefs to create special gastronomic experiences.

The Beach Club Sizzles at Maçakızı Hotel Bodrum

Daytime is all about lazing on sun loungers on the resort’s expansive wooded deck that sits over sea along with dips in the sparkling sea to cool off. It’s a sexy beach club with the beautiful people moving to the beat as a DJ plays soultry music. Other guests charter the hotel’s sleek yachts for the day and head off to a remote island beach or some sightseeing along the coast. The day in the sun is broken up by long lunches at the indoor-outdoor pavilion with meals made fresh in the outdoor kitchen.

Guests will also want to have a spa day, relaxing in the Turkish Hammam bath or booking an outdoor massage or a ritual from their extensive spa menu.  The facility includes a glass-enclosed fitness center and outdoor pool.

It’s Time for the Turkish Riviera’s Day in the Sun

Since the 1960s, with Cannes and St. Tropez becoming the hot spot for celebrities, the jet set has made the Med the coolest place for hot summers. But now the in-crowd has a new destination beyond the French and Italian Rivieras and that place is the turquoise coast along the Turkish Riviera. Bodrum is its prime location and for a relaxed and sexy vibe with world-class accommodations.    There you’ll find its crown jewel, the Maçakızı Hotel Bodrum, now open year-round.

Article by:  Glenn Harris and Hope Gainer