Hilton Bodrum Turkbuku Resort & Spa

The luxurious Hilton Bodrum Turkbuku Resort & Spa delivers on the polished brand's standard of quality, with modern decor and bright common spaces that make the most of their views over the Aegean. Its high-ceiling lobby is decked out in marble-tiled columns with flashy chandeliers and dangling wall sconces. A few steps down from the front desk is a sparkling-white grand piano that sits astride the lounge bar's handsome contemporary booths and tables. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels cover the back of the building, which opens  onto a terrace facing the sea. The hotel caters to families, and most of the guests tend to be Turkish. We encountered an off-putting odor near the back of the hotel near a bar area, which was apparently created by a water distilling system that kicks in during the day, but overall the property is well-maintained and worth its rating. 

The hotel is located on a sloping hillside above a small bay on the northern tip of Bodrum peninsula. There's nothing within walking distance other than the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, and it's about a five-minute drive from happening Golturkbuku. High-end shopping in Yalikavak is a 22-minute drive away, while quiet Gundogan village, known for its snorkeling and scenic drives, can be reached in about 15 minutes. The southern part of the peninsula, including Old Town Bodrum, the famous Bodrum Castle, and its Underwater Archaeology Museum, beautiful Bagla Bay, and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus are all between 30 and 45 minutes away. A shuttle bus to Bodrum is provided for a fee. Milas Bodrum airport is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. 

The Hilton Bodrum Turbuku Resort & Spa's 490 rooms have a contemporary decor with twin or king-size Serenity beds, along with furnished patios or balconies. The tiled floors are partially covered by wood laminate sections, which is an odd choice that can make sitting at the glass work desks with ergonomic roller chairs a bit of a game. The rest of the design is well-done, with attractive wood furniture and sitting areas that have sofa beds and colorful throw pillows beneath glassy little chandeliers. Standard amenities include 37-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles, but there are no coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is pricey and has spotty connectivity. Marble bathrooms have large walk-in rainfall showers. Upgraded rooms have sea views, while suites add separate living rooms.

The beach has limited sandy areas, but the seafront has extensive decks with sun loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas. Pine trees grow practically up to the water's edge, providing lots of natural shade as well as convenient places to anchor the hotel's oversize hammocks. Scuba diving and water sports, such as boating and windsurfing, are available on-site. Off the beach, four outdoor pools provide for plenty of sunbathing space on wide sundecks. One of the pools has several waterslides, one is a quiet lap pool, and one is a kid-friendly freeform pool with built-in whirlpool and an adjacent kiddy pool with splash fountain. In front of that is the main pool, which has the best views of the sea. There's also a smaller indoor lap pool and a hot tub. The posh spa has luxurious indoor treatment rooms with whirlpool tubs, along with breezy outdoor pavilions for seaside massages. It also has a Turkish bath and a sauna, along with an adjacent 24-hour fitness center. There are also a kids' club and an outdoor playground. All-inclusive rates cover meals and some alcoholic beverages, though fees may apply for some drinks and meals at the a la carte restaurants (and reservations are required). There are five restaurants ranging from an international buffet with multiple dining rooms and an outdoor terrace to an Italian restaurant and pizzeria. The opulent Sultan's Table recreates an Ottoman aesthetic with traditional and modern Turkish cuisine, and there's an alfresco seafood restaurant. Two beach bars, a cafe, poolside bar, and a lobby lounge bar round out the drinking options. On-site event facilities include 14 meeting rooms and a ballroom that can hold up to 1,500 people. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, with a voucher that lasts for an hour; fees apply for in-room Wi-Fi. Connectivity isn't the best.