Why this luxurious Turkish resort is the ultimate sanctuary

A stay at tranquil hideaway The Residence is an indulgent way to unwind, rest and recuperate, says Sophie Goodall.

R hythmically gliding through cool turquoise water, the hot sun baking my shoulders, I finally begin to relax. I’m surrounded by vibrant green palms and ornamental grasses, and the soothing scents of white jasmine and soft musk fill the air.

Rivalling a tropical lagoon, this lake-sized swimming pool is part of adult-only, upscale holiday resort The Residence at Tui Sensatori Barut Fethiye.

Located on the seafront with its own section of beach and private forest, it’s 13km from Fethiye, near Dalaman.

The Residence is all bright white buildings, wooden accents and smoked glass screens arranged around the pool area. A winding, lazy river cuts through the resort in sparkling shades of mint green, turquoise and navy, separating raised sunbathing terraces linked by secret walkways.

The overall vibe of the hideaway is peaceful, hushed and relaxed.

My open-plan bedroom is decorated in soothing hues of soft greys and pale blues. Adjacent to the bed, which is a huge, Princess-and-the-pea-sized affair, stacked high with squashy pillows, there’s a freestanding whirlpool tub with space for two.

A marble bar area is stocked with premium branded spirits, and there’s an option for an in-room cocktail-making class, if you really want to make the most of what’s on offer.

I pour a flute of sparkling wine and head out to my private balcony to watch the sunset. The sky slowly turns into twinkling hues of lilac and rose, and a saxophonist begins to play gentle, downtempo jazz.

Simply swimming or walking around the resort is enough to induce relaxation.

But anyone really determined to unwind can take advantage of a programme of wellness activities.

As someone who suffers from stress and finds it hard to switch off, I’m excited to give some of these alternative treatments a go.

The first activity I try is gong bathing, which takes place under a cool canopy of trees next to the beach.

An instructor guides us through several stretches, then asks us to lay in a position we find comfortable. Eyes closed, she slowly strikes a gong, which reverberates like rolling waves, beginning as a gentle vibration and eventually rising to a crash.

Ideal for people who struggle to meditate, the vibrations from gong bathing have a therapeutic effect as they flow through the body and mind.

The sound also helps to drown out any outside noise, aiding concentration.