Maçakizi, Bodrum, Turkey
WHEN Ayla Emiroglu moved to Bodrum, in the late 1970s, there was little of note to see, save for an unspoilt peninsula dotted with sweet orange and lime trees. She quickly established a hotel and private beach, the Maçakizi, which still stands today—the only difference is the number of visitors. They’ve grown steadily in the past 30 years, but, at one point in the not-too-distant past, political instability within Turkey and competition from islands such as Mykonos and Ibiza briefly threatened to ruin all the fun. Thankfully, Bodrum is back. Back to its 1970s glamorous heyday. Recent additions to the hotel include Villa Maçakizi and Maçakizi Halas 71, a former passenger ferry-turnedluxury coastal cruiser.
The hotel is a few minutes drive from the pretty and upmarket town of Türkbükü and 45 from Bodrum, but there’s little reason to tear yourself away from the expanse of canopied wooden decking that looks out over the Aegean Sea. There’s also a view of the sea from 27 of the 53 bedrooms (there are 21 suites, too), through the vibrant bougainvillaea that clings to the outside of the building. RP
From €425 (about £355) per night including breakfast (www.macakizi.com)