White sands, turquoise water and blue sky – the perfect picture for the gram, symbolizing the summer. Usually beautiful landscapes as featured in Bounty adverts, are associated with the Maldives, Bora Bora and other exotic and distant islands. In fact, you don’t have to fly across the world to find paradise.
Turkish riviera
Over the last few decades, Turkey has been one of the most popular holiday destinations for Europeans. Nearly 40 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2018, an increase of more than 21% from the previous year, leaving behind Greece, Spain and Italy. The result of this is that Turkey’s cities and resorts along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are very densely populated, however, despite this they’ve managed to preserve some natural areas in tact.
One of such hidden gems is the picturesque resort of Fethiye, located in the south west of the country. Surrounded by mountains with cedar and pine forests, combined with pearl-white sandy beaches, turquoise sea and no tourists, this place is very different from the Antalya coast, Bodrum and Marmaris. No filter is needed for sunrises and sunsets and the fragrant air can be collected in the bottle and taken back home with you. Fethiye is pure escapism so you can relax in tranquility and drift away from all your worries back home and social media.
Unsurprisingly, the Hillside Beach Club has been awarded the Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice award and was featured in the study by Harvard Business School. The resort provides a relaxed atmosphere, wealth of facilities and activities for both couples and families alike. So whether you are looking for solitude or an active getaway, this welcoming hotel will allow you to enjoy it without interfering those who are seeking something else.
Room with a view
Stretching along a spectacular slice of coastline in Fethiye, the luxury Hillside Beach Club makes a perfect base for exploring this serene landscape. Architecturally laconic and refined among beautiful shades of green and blue with 330 guest villas cascaded across the mountain slopes.
As the name suggests, the resort was built on the hillside with all the rooms designed to face the ocean and each having a stunning wide open sea view surrounded by mountains and trees. The rooms feel more like villas being light, spacious and featuring a large private terrace with comfy seating and a table to enjoy a light snack or morning coffee whilst admiring the view. You could also use it to sunbathe but you would be better off using the private bay, perfect for a relaxing swim in the warm sea or soaking up some rays with a good book.
Luxury Cuisine
The main restaurant is a multi-cuisine buffet where you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and features a variety of dishes with large selection of seafood, meat, vegetarian, soups and desserts. Its suitable for all guests and a good place if you’re feeling especially peckish.
If you prefer waiter service, The Pasha is another restaurant on the bay. Great for a light brunch or romantic meal under starlight. Another option is the Italian restaurant, The Beach Bar & Restaurant, with an à la carte menu.
After dinner, evening entertainment is provided at the hotel’s amphitheater which hosts shows and dancing or you can chill out with drinks and live music at the beach bar.
Pure tranquility
You can take relaxation to the next level by going to one of two spas, where you’ll find a Turkish bath, sauna, Jacuzzi and seven massage rooms. All body care products contain local natural ingredients. After your morning yoga classes by the sea, you can retire to a special “beach of silence”. Stop on one of the floating berths with soft sun loungers, where you can get a refreshing beverage at the press of a button. Relaxation is a common theme around the resort, for example on the beach, it’s over 18s only, there is no ambient music and people are encouraged not to take phone calls in public areas.
There is no shortage of places to explore, like seeing Azure Bay, an isolated lagoon even more private than the resort bay. Accessible by boat which departs every 10 minutes, or you can walk along the shore, sheltered by tall cedar and pine trees.
Activities for all ages
Guests with a more active agenda can join fitness classes, play tennis or beach volleyball, take sailing lessons, ride quad bikes or wakeboard, all under the guidance of professional instructors. Hillside Beach Club has the first official water skiing and wakeboarding school in Turkey, making it an ideal place for both beginners and experienced. Silk painting and pottery classes are available for more creative people. The activity schedule is updated every season.
It’s not all just for adults, there are family rooms, three children’s clubs, a baby park, an amphitheatre with daily shows and events, baby strollers and a babysitting service.
