Six Senses Kaplankaya, TURKEY.
Where is it?
Well the airport you fly into is Bodrum and that airport – all concrete and glass loveliness, which we weren’t quite expecting for some reason – bodes very well and very appropriate for what you’re about to experience just a short car ride through the Turkish countryside. Or a short boat ride if you fancy that instead.
Why so lovely?
It’s a toss-up between the architecture and the position but the architecture probably clinches it. Actually, definitely clinches it. Yes, you are set on your own bay with rocks to have hidden drinks on and beaches and gardens with threeleed dogs and nothing else anywhere to be seen – oh and easy access to two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (the classical ruins around these parts really are amazing!) - but the spectacular modern architecture in natural and totally sustainable materials sucks up all your superlatives. You might not ever want to even go outside. And because it’s all about sustainable at Six Senses you’ll forget what plastic was after a few days.
First impressions?
It’s not quite clear where Six Senses Kaplankaya actually starts as they have so much land that by the time you ask ‘are we there yet?’, the driver will be able to tell you that we’ve actually been ‘there’ for ten minutes. Sweep into the drive, past the sports cars parked up, and you’re into a modern building – a bit James Bond villain-bunker-style - where it’s all about space. Look across that space and you can see just sea and sky, look down and you have three? Four? Five storeys eventually leading out to a sweeping, sun-dappled terrace.
And the accommodations?
In the main buildings, rooms are modern but natural and restful with views out over the Aegean but we’ve gone for a villa with its own little strip of pool looking out to sea and lovely outdoor furniture so you end up being out there quite a bit. And they’ll take you to and fro through the winding lanes of the resort by golf buy.
And the food?
When it comes to food, you can rotate around the many restaurants and bars to keep it fresh. The main restaurant, Sage & Sea, where what feels like the most extensive buffet breakfast in all of Turkey is laid out, is an inside/outside affair with the kitchen at the back, or you can step up to Wild Thyme, overlooking the pool and the sea. Our favourite in the evening was Meze by the Sea in a garden strung with lights where dogs and cats lumber around to be tickled and you just kick back and look at that dusting of stars, so bright seeing as there’s no light pollution for miles. Or just grab something – including a superstar cocktail - at The Beach Bar. So many options with just the quality of the food (local and organic, obviously, some from their own little strip of farm!) and the loveliness of the wine and cocktails in common.
What is there to do?
There is certainly no shortage of lounging opportunities at Six Senses Kaplankaya – your own pool, the big communal pool, the beach where they’ll bring your drinks over - but it would be a shame not to make the most of their award-winning facilities (Best Hotel Gym in the World anyone?) We signed up for TRX in a sports hall bier than our (quite big) school used to have, then it was yoga in another huge sun-drenched space, then Pilates in a studio so well fitted-out it looked like a torture chamber. And that’s before you get to the spa, again huuuuuge and perhaps the most beautiful hotel spa we’ve ever sweated it out in. Apart from massages and steam-rooms and Jacuzzis and... you name it, there are signature treatments like the strange and lovely water rebirthing where you are in a body-temperature pool, cradled by the therapist until 50 minutes have slipped by and you emerge so relaxed you can barely walk. Or have a guided meditation. Or make your own signature fragrance from local herbs and flowers in the specially-created fragrance-making room. Or go down and have a cooking lesson from one of the superstar chefs. Relaxation has never kept us so busy, we’re telling you.
And the LGBTQ bit?
There isn’t one. The resort is quite out of the way so you’ll have to make your own gay entertainment but with a few noticeably LGBT staff, everyone was charm itself so you certainly don’t need to worry about that.