Bodrum Bay Resort

Built on the side of a steep hill overlooking the Aegean and Kos Island, the Bodrum Bay Resort has a serious wow factor. It spreads over several levels, with a seafront platform with direct access to the sea on the lowest section, and the reception area located at the highest point. While this means lots of steps to get anywhere in the property (there is also an elevator, though), the sea views are breathtaking. The hotel was designed to take full advantage of its privileged location, with several expansive decks with seating, and huge arched windows in common spaces. Although far from the five-star hotel it claims to be, the Bodrum Bay Resort has a fresh, cheerful style throughout that blends traditional architectural details such as arched entryways and windows with contemporary accents. Colors like aquamarine and fuchsia give the lobby a cheerful veneer, while dark tile floors are a stylish counterpoint to the whitewashed walls. Throughout, simple black and white furniture finds some balance with colorful splashes in accent pillows, chairs, and upholstery, but nothing too flashy to take away from the views. With its adult-only policy, beachfront platform, large pool, and entertainment program, the hotel focuses on relaxation and fun, drawing mostly young couples and groups of friends. 

Bodrum Bay Resort is located on a small peninsula separating the seaside cities of Bodrum and Gumbet. The area is green and a little secluded, with just a couple of other hotels in the immediate vicinity of the resort. Bodrum’s lively marina, however, is just a 15-minute downhill walk away, and is home to dozens of restaurants and bars. The way back from Bodrum, though, requires a car or taxi, as the hill is steep. Gumbet, known for its hopping bars and sandy beach, is just a five-minute drive away. Major attractions in Bodrum, such as Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, and Myndos Gate, can all be found within a 10-minute drive of the hotel. The drive to the airport can take up to 45 minutes. 

In comparison to the cheerful palette of the hotel’s common spaces, rooms are decorated in a more subdued style, with a soft neutral color scheme and generic wooden furniture. Standard Rooms are spacious and airy, and feature a few stylish details, including laminate floors and exposed stone accent walls. Club Rooms, however, are smaller and a tad dated, with some guests complaining of maintenance issues, especially in the bathroom. A few of these units have been renovated and feel sleeker, with white tufted headboards, dark accents in floors and walls, and baby blue bed runners. Rooms have at least a tiny French balcony, and many offer small furnished terraces with panoramic sea views. Other in-room amenities include air-conditioning, small flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges stocked with free water. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but the signal doesn’t reach many of the rooms. Contemporary bathrooms are tiled in brown hues, and feature shower/tub combos with glass screens, round sinks over brown counters, wall-mounted hairdryers, and an array of hotel-brand toiletries. 

While there is no sandy beach here, the hotel has a large seafront platform with direct access to the water, a few dozen padded loungers, and wicker umbrellas. A small thatched bar serves drinks in an area shaded by trees, and a snack bar located one level above the beach offers fast food items, as well as drinks and small bites with a view. The snack bar doubles as the a la carte restaurant at night, where guests can dine once per stay at no extra charge. All drinks ordered here are extra, though. The other on-site restaurant offers a varied buffet spread for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers outdoor seating on a spacious terrace with panoramic sea views. The large freeform pool is set on a large, appealing deck surrounded by Mediterranean pine trees and bright bougainvillea. There are pool games and contests daily, but the vibe is mostly relaxing (save for the music, which some guests say can be too loud at times). A porched bar offers drinks and some shade in a spacious deck overlooking the pool and the sea. The hotel also features a nice spa complete with a Turkish bath, a sauna, and massage rooms, and a fitness center with a decent array of cardio and strength-training machines. Outdoor parking is available free of charge.