SENTIDO Bellazure

To many, ‘all-inclusive resort’ may evoke images of loud pool activities, drinks in plastic cups flowing non-stop, or hordes of screaming kids. Sentido Bellazure, however, offers an experience that's far different. Manicured lawns are dotted with colorful pillows and hammocks, food is a notch better than the average all-inclusive, and adult-only areas guarantee some peace for those looking to get away from it all. To that end, one of the hotel’s biggest wow factors is its sea views. Built on a slight slope, the property offers panoramic water vistas from most of its common spaces, including its two restaurants, several bars, and one of its two pools. Interiors are stylish and appealing, with a soft neutral palette throughout, large windows overlooking the grounds and the sea, and designer accents such as clusters of globe lamps hanging above the front desk. Beachy touches such as white-on-white lounge furniture with deep blue accents, large sail shades, and thatched roofs over bars and decks give the property a laid-back feel. The hotel has a number of kid-friendly features, including kiddy pools, a kids’ club, and a tiny sand beach, but it is mostly popular with couples seeking some peace and quiet. 

The resort is located on an isolated sandy beach a 15-minute drive from Turgutreis. There are a few restaurants and bars within a short walk of the hotel, but the area may be a little too quiet for some. The Turgutreis Marina can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, where ferries to the Greek islands of Kos and Kalymnos are available. Other attractions in town include a Saturday market that's popular with tourists. The city of Bodrum, home to historic attractions, shops, and a wide array of dining and drinking options, is a 40-minute drive away. Milas-Bodrum International Airport will take about an hour to reach from the hotel.

The hotel has 179 rooms spread over two low buildings. Standard Double Rooms are located in the main section, while Club Rooms are in the annex building. Despite differences in layout, decor is uniform, with simple contemporary decor in soft earth tones and clean lines, as well as furnished balconies, many with panoramic sea views. White minimalist furniture gives rooms a fresh, crisp feel -- especially when contrasted with wood-veneer headboards and travertine tile floors -- and lime-green bed runners and accent pillows add some color. All rooms are quite spacious, with entry-level Standard Double Rooms offering 323-square-foot floor plans (30 square meters) -- higher-category rooms are, of course, larger. Free Wi-Fi is available in all units, and LCD TVs, air-conditioning, and electric kettles are standard amenities as well. Mini-fridges are stocked with water only. Club units have a separate living area with a sofa bed and an additional TV, plus a large terrace with a built-in padded bench and an awning. Bathrooms in all units are modern and clean, with large mirrors, warm lights, lots of counter space, and an array of hotel-brand toiletries. Large walk-in showers have windows overlooking the room, but there are shades for privacy. 

The hotel’s private on-site beach is small and sandy, with a couple dozen padded loungers and straw umbrellas packed into a tiny space. It can get crowded in peak season, but there is plenty of additional seating on a small wooden pier with direct access to the water, and on several grass lawns adjacent to the beach. A bar serves drinks and snacks by the water, complete with tall tables in the sun and long benches with cushions under sail shades. The family-friendly pool is large and appealing, with dozens of loungers on the concrete deck, and many more -- along with colorful cushions on the grass, cocoon-style loungers, and large thatched cabanas -- on big, manicured lawns around it. Fitness classes are available in and around the pool daily, but mostly of the quiet type, with small groups and no loud music playing in the background for hours. Adjacent to the family pool is a small wading pool for kids, decorated with a cute slide shaped like a sinking ship. While the atmosphere is quiet and serene on the main deck, there is also an adult-only pool with an infinity edge, massage jets, and underwater loungers. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the main buffet restaurant, which gets good reviews for variety and quality and offers expansive sea views from both its indoor and outdoor areas. There is also an a la carte restaurant with stunning panoramic views, but the all-inclusive rate only includes one dinner per stay there and reviews can be mixed. The hotel also features several drinking options, including one by the main pool, a 24-hour lobby bar, and a rooftop lounge with lovely sea views. The spa has a marble-clad Turkish bath, massage cabins, a sauna, and a beautiful outdoor area with a whirlpool under a palapa. Other on-site amenities include a kids’ club with a playground, free outdoor parking, and a tiny fitness center with a handful of modern machines. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.