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To be completely transparent, Turkey was – for many years – not a country I considered travelling to. Not for any particular reason. To me, it just had connotations of sprawling resorts and busy all-inclusive hotels, and I didn't bother to look past them.
As I grew closer to thirty, however, so did my desire to travel to Istanbul – Turkey's sparkling, transcontinental capital. Inspired both by friends who had honeymooned there, and those who had enjoyed balmy (read: sweaty) city breaks meandering the bazaars and ogling at the majestic mosques. They all returned with only wonderful tales to tell.
As such, at the dawn of last year, I set to work planning a September trip (the best time to go, I've since decided – thanks to the slightly more manageable temperatures and more modest numbers of tourists). But just three days in Turkey? It didn't feel enough. Conveniently, I had read much about Bodrum: a fishing-village-come-celebrity-hotspot, where lavish restaurant groups, life-affirming retreats and luxe bars have spent the past decade opening in their hundreds. The Mandarin Oriental Bodrum included.
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And boy am I glad they did. My headline rings true – even half a year after returning from my holiday (we're running this piece as the property gears-up to re-open for the summer season). Mandarin Oriental Bodrum has ruined all other hotels for me. Recency bias isn't present here – I've been lucky enough to go on a number of trips since, and still, when it comes to style, space, service and seriously good views of the sparkling Aegean sea, it feels nothing else will come close.
Walking through the entrance of Mandarin Oriental Bodrum is a jaw-dropping experience in itself: kind, smiling staff made you feel like an actual, real-life celebrity from the second you hop out of the car, and the open-plan check-in area, set high on the cliff with views across the Aegean sea, feels once-in-a-lifetime.
Following a fresh, fruity mocktail, we were taken by buggy (there is no need to walk anywhere here, should you not want to) to our bedroom. To be honest, the word “bedroom” feels like I'm doing the space a disservice. It was an apartment, really, or “Mandarin Junior Suite” to be precise, one of more than 30 room and villa types at the hotel.
It was huge – even the standard double rooms are, I hear – with an open plan walk-in wardrobe which wrapped around the back of the living space and took you directly past a toilet and rainfall shower to a beautiful, marble bathroom. A bathroom which boasted a double sink area, great lighting, and a bathroom which has a large, free-standing bath aside patio doors that take you directly out to the garden.
Back in the bedroom, there was a sofa, a spread of sweet treats to welcome us (plus Champagne, wonderfully), the largest bed I've probably ever seen and a dining table for in-room feasts. All rooms of this type also have private outdoor plunge pools and outdoor showers, located on the terrace. Truly? The best hotel room I've ever stepped foot in.
Following a beautiful, shore-side lunch at one of the property's many, many restaurants (more on that later), we were introduced to our butler for the week. Very lovely, of course; if slightly unnecessary for two people who were really just happy to be there. Said butler kindly booked us into – and drove us to – the newly-built on-site padel courts, which was such a way to spend an hour. Highly recommend for anyone else crazy enough to actually want to play sports on holiday.
Our days spent at Mandarin Oriental all looked pretty similar: we'd hop on and off the aforementioned buggies to visit the beaches, the water-sports centre, the tennis courts and the spa. We considered yoga, though ended up lying in, but did make it down to the second-to-none spa and indoor swimming pool a good number of times.
Expect a state-of-the-art gym (complete with every piece of equipment you could ever wish to use), Pilates studios, stunning sea views, treatment rooms that blend luxury with traditional Turkish hospitality, and peaceful relaxation gardens and spaces to read your book – and sip on a herbal tea – after your Oriental Harmony Four Hands Massage. The dream.
About time for a cocktail or three? Some nibbles? Dinner? You're in luck – Mandarin Oriental Bodrum isn't just a hotel. It's a sprawling destination – with dining experiences ranging from the buzzy Roka and Hakkasan (the latter also present at Mandarin Orientals' nearby Bosphorus property), to relaxed spots like the Blue Beach Bar, Ferdi Baba for seafood, and elegant, indoor evening spot Sofra. This is one of many spots that breakfast is served, but it transforms into a romantic, candle-lit Mediterranean restaurant in the evening where portion sizes are modest, service is attentive and flavours are fresh.
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Mandarin Oriental Bodrum is the kind of hotel you don't need to leave – nor would you wish to. You can shop, swim, eat, drink, workout and relax from a different spot everyday. And though you come for the luxury, it's the friendly service and abundant breathing space you'll want to stay for. A once-in-a-lifetime hotel if I ever stayed in one.
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