The Marmara, Bodrum

Nestled on a hilltop outside of central Bodrum, the adult-only Marmara Bodrum wows at first sight with a combination of Mediterranean sophistication and funky artsy and design details. The hotel owns an extensive contemporary art collection that is displayed both in common spaces and rooms, including paintings, sculptures, and small-scale installations. The lobby is divided into two main spaces, each with a distinct vibe and style that encapsulates this eclectic decor concept. The reception area has a slight rustic-chic feel, with dark wooden furniture adorned with colorful silky pillows, huge clay vases, and exposed stone walls. Adjacent is a large, airy hallway with walls and ceilings scribbled top to bottom with names of couples, love notes, rough sketches, and stick figures. 

Other common areas, though, have a more subdued -- but still sophisticated -- style. The restaurant has chic decor in royal blues and whites, but features an array of cute traditional touches such as lovely painted tiles around wooden window frames, and old agricultural tools displayed on walls. The lobby lounge, one of the coziest, most stylish areas in the hotel, has a radically different atmosphere, with hardwood floors, a large open fireplace, a traditional rug, and large comfy couches with white upholstery and a number of pillows in red hues. 

The focus at the Marmara Bodrum, however, are the views. Large decks offer picture-perfect vistas over the city of Bodrum and the Aegean Sea, giving the property an exclusive, romantic feel that draws couples of all ages. Only upper-tier rooms have sea views, but most public areas have been designed to make the most of the hotel’s hillside location, including the restaurant, the main pool, and even the gym and the spa. The atmosphere is quiet year-round, and the adult-only policy (no kids under 12 area allowed in the property) adds to the relaxing vibe. Travelers seeking a beachfront location, sea views from almost all rooms, or all-inclusive rates might prefer the Kefaluka Resort, though it's larger, busier, and allows children.  

The Marmara Bodrum is located in a hilly residential area on the other side of the D330 road from the center of Bodrum. The neighborhood is quiet, but there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops within a 15-minute walk of the hotel. The city center proper is about a 20-minute downhill walk away. The way back from Bodrum, though, requires a car or taxi, as the hill can be challenging. The town’s main beach is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, but the Marmara Bodrum offers free shuttle service to its private beach area in Golturkbuku. Major attractions in Bodrum, such as Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Myndos Gate, and the hopping marina, can all be found within a 10-minute drive of the hotel. The drive to the airport can take up to 35 minutes.

The hotel has 97 rooms, including large standard Deluxe Rooms with seating areas and king-size beds, and several types of suites with wooden decks offering panoramic views. All units are styled with an elegant combination of crisp whites, earth tones, hardwood floors, and clean lines. Simple wooden headboards and beige walls can feel a tad generic, but details such as skinny dark desks with hidden make-up areas, and unique artwork on walls are upscale design touches that give this property the edge over other similarly priced hotels. 

Rooms start at 32 square meters (344 square feet), and all are spacious enough to fit at least a small seating area with either a couple of bamboo chairs and a tiny coffee table; suites have larger living areas with sofas. Standard amenities include smart TVs, iPod docks, robes, and minibars stocked with full-sized bottles of liquor, sodas and water -- but Deluxe Rooms and Luxury Sea View Rooms lack coffeemakers (suites have Nespresso machines). The vast majority of rooms have large windows that slide open onto small balconies with either garden or sea views; the only difference between the Deluxe Room and Luxury Sea View room is the view. Suites have spacious wooden terraces with stunning sea and city views. 

Although the brown granite counters may feel a tad dated, bathrooms are spotlessly clean and appealing overall, with either shower/tub combos decorated with mosaic tiles in earth tones in Deluxe Rooms, or separate jetted tubs and glass-enclosed showers in most suites. Molton Brown toiletries and hairdryers are also provided. 

The hotel has two pools, both with plenty of comfy loungers and a quiet vibe. The most popular, though, is the freeform one, as it offers striking panoramic views of Bodrum City, its famous castle, and the Aegean Sea. The other one is a semi-Olympic one for those looking to swim some laps and enjoy the relaxing (but less spectacular) mountain views. The single on-site restaurant is known among locals and visitors alike for its excellent cuisine, charming dining room, and jaw-dropping panoramic views. It serves a varied, quality breakfast buffet with plenty of Turkish and international options, as well as Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner. The outdoor deck is particularly popular for romantic dinners due to its expansive vistas.

The Marmara’s spa is relaxing and stylish, with an extensive use of natural woods, plenty of candles, and a soothing neutral palette throughout. Facial and body treatments, a large hammam, a sauna, and a salon offering hair, nail and waxing services are all available on-site. Adjacent to the spa is the hotel’s sunny, spacious fitness center, featuring a wide array of cardio, strength, and flexibility equipment, and large windows offering wonderful city and sea views. Additionally, there are tennis, basketball and squash courts on-site, and personal trainers and tennis coaches are available on request. The hotel also provides meeting space with audiovisual equipment, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Cats and dogs are welcome without weight restrictions.