Bodrum, on Turkey’s southwest coast, was the site of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. That may be long gone, but this Aegean region still has some impressive modern architecture – step forward the new and spectacular Anda Barut Collection hotel near Didim. The stylish property sits on 150 acres of a peninsula near Didim and is split into three sections – one for adults, one for families and another for everyone to enjoy.
The hotel offers a piece of paradise around every corner. From its picture-postcard views to luxurious facilities, Anda Barut Collection has everything you need for a blissful holiday. Walking through the doors of Anda Barut Collection you are immediately taken aback by its size.
The reception connects to the neighbouring Ease Lobby Lounge Bar – open 24 hours a day – and roof terrace offering fabulous views of the main pool area and sea. Guests have the choice of eight pools, indoor and outdoor, an adventure play area, aqua park and fitness facilities. I would highly recommend its superb, free spa after spending a very relaxing afternoon trying out its sauna, steam room and loungers.
It also has a Turkish bath for those looking to try something more traditional. The hotel’s range of activities includes yoga, aqua zumba and daily boccia games. The events change every day and are listed on the hotel’s handy app.
My deluxe adult room with sea view had everything to make for an enjoyable stay – a big bed, coffee machine, large walk-in shower, bathrobes and slippers, flat-screen TV and mini-bar. But its main selling point was the spacious balcony. The Anda Barut Collection has six a la carte restaurants, a buffet and patisserie.
No trip to Turkey would be complete without a taste of the local cuisine, and I enjoyed a tasty kofta with rice when I visited Mansion for lunch. The waiter recommended a Mediterranean salad to go with it – an excellent suggestion. But my favourite dining experience was an incredible dinner at the Fish Camp à la carte restaurant.
The evening began with a delicious selection of mezze, and my main course of fish and potatoes was followed by the nicest strawberry pavlova I have ever tasted. Accompanied by a great choice of wines, beautiful seafront setting and intimate feel, it really made for a lovely night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the main buffet restaurant – Zestful Bazaar – brought together a fantastic selection of world cuisines.
Staff were on hand to serve hot and cold drinks, taking away the faff of queuing at coffee machines and juice stations. Each area of the hotel has its own pool bar. However, guests needn’t leave their loungers, thanks to a team of waiters on roller skates, which meant I had a cold bottle of Mythos lager in my hand within minutes of ordering.
I stayed during the hotel’s Wellness Weekend with Olympic medallists and world champions. The special event gave me the opportunity to meet a legendary lineup of sporting stars including Paula Radcliffe, Daley Thompson, Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson and Rebecca Adlington, plus Strictly Come Dancing stars Ian Waite and Ola and James Jordan – not a regular occurrence on an all-inclusive holiday! The hotel has also staged events with National Geographic to explore the natural history of the Didim area, and has hosted performances by French singer Dany Brillant plus high-intensity fitness classes with sports trainer Noyan Dülek. A bit of a change from bingo by the pool! Despite it being oh-so-easy to spend all your time at the hotel, there are plenty of historic sites worth leaving your sun lounger for.
One of the main tourist attractions in Didim is the Temple of Apollo which is five miles from the hotel. The temple ruins, dating back to the Ancient Greek and Roman periods, were home to a renowned oracle and one of the world’s greatest temples to the sun god. The ancient Greek city of Miletus is a little further afield at 16 miles but is also a must-see for its theatre ruins dating back to the Romans and with a capacity of 15,000.
Hotel staff also recommended a visit to Lake Bafa, a similar distance away. One of the largest lakes in the region, it is an important nature park and bird sanctuary. The sunsets can be spectacular too.
If you’re looking for a bit more town hustle and bustle, then Altinkum is four miles from Anda Barut Collection and has an ample choice of beaches, restaurants, bars and water sports to keep you entertained. Book the holiday Seven nights at the five-star Anda Barut Collection, Didim, Bodrum area, from £1,329pp, including flights from Liverpool departing on October 27, 22kg baggage allowance and transfers. Price is per person and based on two adults sharing.
http://Jet2holidays.com.
