La Blanche Resort & Spa

This resort occupies a beachfront location, housed in a large contemporary white building centered around an immense lagoon-style pool, the blue heart and center of activity of the property. Well-maintained grounds are dotted with palms, hedges, and green lawns, while paths lead down to the private beach. The atmosphere is often lively, with animation teams providing entertainment throughout the day. Guests are a mix of families with kids and couples.
Inside, the spacious lobby features banks of windows overlooking the outdoor lagoon-style pool and tall palm trees, illuminating the space with plenty of sunlight. Though the space has a chainlike feel, it's pleasant enough and offers plenty of seating on contemporary chairs and sofas that pair well with the blue carpet. Glittery lighting fixtures resemble sea creatures hanging overhead. The hotel's five restaurants have the same sort of predictable, fairly bland style, but there's plenty of outdoor space for alfresco dining as well -- including a lovely beachside spot overlooking the water.
La Blanche is one of the best options in Turgutreis, and stands out in part because it offers both a beach and a location that's walking distance to shops and restaurants. Many competitors offer only one or the other. Kefaluka Resort and Baia Bodrum Resort, for example, both have more modern interior decor and beaches, but almost nothing within walking distance.

The hotel is located in the town of Turgutreis on the Bodrum Peninsula, situated along the coast, with direct access to a private beach. There are several restaurants and hotels in the immediate area, while many more cafes, shops, and dining options are within a 10-minute walk. The Turgutreis Marina is a six-minute drive away or about a 20-minute walk, from where guests can take a ferry to the Greek islands of Kos or Kalymnos. Other attractions in town include a Saturday market that's popular with tourists. The city of Bodrum is around a 30-minute drive, while Bodrum International Airport is about 50 to 60 minutes away. Turgetreis is on the western coast of the peninsula and is one of the farthest towns from the airport, though it's the most convenient for those looking to use the ferry to nearby islands. For those who find an hour-drive from the airport a bit too long, both Bodrum and Torba are closer, so it's worth considering resorts there.

Rooms are clean and pleasant. They're what one would expect from a mid-range property rather than an advertised five-star resort. Plain blonde wood furniture is simple and inoffensive, if dull, and paired with pastel-colored walls. The furnishings include desks, headboards with built-in nightstands, and closets.
Standard Rooms begin at 258 to 323 square feet (24 to 30 square meters), while Deluxe Rooms measure 398 square feet (37 square meters) and Family Rooms are 441 square feet (41 square meters). Suites are the most spacious options, beginning at 645 square feet (60 square meters) in the Oriental Suite, to 1,614 square feet (150 square meters) in the King Suite, which has three bedrooms and bathrooms, a dining room, and a living area. Family Rooms feature separate bedrooms for parents and a kids' room with sofa beds.
All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, free minibars stocked with water and sodas (replenished daily), TVs with satellite channels (though some are older tube-style units), safes, and free Wi-Fi. All rooms have balconies overlooking the grounds and pools -- some with lovely views of the sea. At the Kefaluka Resort, in comparison, almost all rooms have sea views; here, some rooms face the road, other buildings, or pool, with just a partial glimpse of the sea. Those booking through TUI Group should expect to be put on the first floor, where rooms have limited views. Bathrooms are small and simple, tiled in beige and outfitted with shower/tub combos. Wall-mounted hairdryers and the hotel's own brand of toiletries are provided. The King Suite bathrooms have both whirlpool tubs and showers.

A large lagoon-style pool is one of the highlights here, crossed by several white bridges and surrounded by plenty of loungers and umbrellas lining the sundeck. Reserving loungers is not allowed, but the rule is not well enforced. There's also a sunlit indoor pool that offers loungers by its wall of windows. It's a decent size and good for lap swimming. Guests can also relax on the hotel's private beach, a sandy stretch of shore with a sundeck jetty that's lined with umbrella-shaded sunbeds and offers direct access into the water. There's a cordoned off swimming area, plus a water sports area adjacent to the main sunbathing beach (motorized water sports incur an extra charge).
The spa offers a range of massages and body and skin treatments, as well as a Turkish bath, sauna, and steam room. Wellness facilities also include a small fitness center with a limited amount of machines. A variety of activities are on offer, including beach volleyball and tennis.
The hotel offers several on-site dining options with both indoor and outdoor seating, including buffet-style dining and a la carte restaurants serving seafood, as well as Turkish, Chinese, Mediterranean, or Italian fare. Reservations must be made the morning of the night you wish to dine, and guests should note that not every restaurant is open every night, and plan accordingly. The Turkish grill is a particular favorite with many guests; the Italian is also popular but incurs an extra per person charge. There's also a poolside snack bar as well as a lobby bar. Rates are all-inclusive.
The resort caters to families with several kid-friendly amenities, including a children's pool with waterslides and a kids' club for ages 4 to 12. The animation team provides entertainment throughout the day for both kids and adults, including games and competitions, as well as evening shows in the outdoor amphitheater.
Business travelers are catered to with several meeting rooms, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Guests get an individual login code for Wi-Fi, and some complain of losing connection and having to log back in frequently, which can be a hassle. In addition, certain access points in the public areas (particularly around the pool) can get overcrowded and slow. Other on-site amenities include a hairdresser, jewelry shop, drug store, and a game room.