Maçakizi

Got your designer swimsuit ready? Your chicest shades in hand? It’s time to forget about those European rivera’s you’re familiar with, and gaze upon Maçakizi; Bodrum’s glamorous bolt-hole where the blessed and beautiful flock.

Set on the picturesque shores of the Turquoise Coast, on the northern tip of Türkbükü Bay, Maçakizi (pronounced ‘magicizzy’) climbs its way up the cliff-face over four tiered levels amid olive groves and bougainvillea. From the trendy beach-bar and ocean-front boardwalks with ladders leading you into the shimmering Aegean, to the tranquil open-air restaurant and whitewashed suites; Maçakizi is an absolute triumph. It’s no surprise that travellers’ folklore surrounds it. Name drop it at a cocktail party in London, Paris or New York and it immediately elicits affection. 

Maçakizi has had quite a journey since its inception as a bed-and-breakfast in 1977. With the likes of Mick Jagger and Rudolf Nureye frequenting the boho pensione, founded by Ayla Emirolu; the sleepy fishing village quickly became a buzzing peninsula that is often labelled the St Tropez of Turkey. Thirty years later, these famous fabled decks have become a magnet for wealthy Istanbullus, celebrities and well-heeled couples, where cocktails flow freely under sail-shaped awnings and parties last until the morning (sometimes the afternoon). It is less a place to stay than it is a lifestyle, where guests are welcomed by the charismatic owner Sahir Erozan and the amiable general manager, Andrew Jacobs, who hails from the eastern suburbs of Sydney. 

Maçakizi is tucked away amid Gorgeously landscaped grounds bursting in colourful magnolias, olive trees, lavender and oleander-rich gardens. These gardens hide a tangle of stone stairs and walkways snaking their way down to the water's edge, connecting everything like arteries to a beating heart. In fact, it’s so private here that it would be difficult to spot when arriving by boat (or seaplane, which is one of the services offered here) were it not for its long seafront deck. With only a small tile sign with a spade marking the entrance ("Maçakizi" means "queen of spades" in Turkish), this luxury boutique hotel feels seriously exclusive and secluded.

LOCATION & HOW TO GET HERE

Surrounded by pine-clad hills in the southwest of Turkey, on the northern edge of the Bodrum Peninsula near the village of Türkbükü, Maçakizi is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Bodrum. The closest major city, Muğla, is 138 km away, while Milas Bodrum Airport is approximately 50 minutes away and  both Izmir and Dalaman International Airports are a 3-hour drive away. The Greek islands of Kos, Leros and Kalymnos are all within sailing distance.

THE MACAKIZI EFFECT

Known amongst locals and visitors alike for its spectacular seafront area, dotted with luxurious padded sun loungers, Maçakizi is home to one of the most popular beach clubs in the Bodrum peninsula. Like most Bodrum beach clubs and resorts, the beach club has waterfront decks, and not sand. Sun-seekers mellowly lounge on the wooden decks and swim in the clear waters below deck during the day, and come nightfall, VIPs, jet-setters, and people-watchers arrive (mostly by sea) to drink, mingle and dance the night away. 

Another new jewel in Maçakizi’s crown is Halas 71, a 12-bedroom luxury super-yacht which is available for charter for a few hours or weeks to cruise the Aegean coastline. The vessel was once used by British Armed Forces in World War One and was returned to Turkey after the conflict to be used as a passenger ferry. Her roster of guests has included Princess Margaret, Prince Charles, John Malkovich and Hilary Clinton. 

Guests are truly spoilt for choice with how they choose to spend their time at Maçakizi. You can opt for an early morning yoga, pilates or kickboxing session, or hit the gym for a free personal training session. The resort also features a huge Nuxe spa where guests can unwind with a luxurious body treatment or massage in the outdoor pavilions overlooking the gardens and the sea or heat up in front of the glass-fronted hammam. For the shopaholics, there is a new designer boutique on the property selling stunning local clothing, sunglasses and pottery. 

LUXURY SUITES & ACCOMMODATION

Being built on the side of a hill that tumbles down to the Aegean, most of Maçakizi’s 74 guest rooms are located on the top of the hillside and the majority of rooms overlook the sea. The bougainvillea-festooned rooms and suites are housed within several two-storey whitewashed cottages with private balconies. If sea views and privacy are what you’re after, choose an upper floor room. 

All common areas of the hotel, apart from the open-aired lobby, are closer down towards the beachfront, with a small shaded pool area, the restaurant, spa and breakfast terrace situated in between. The areas all feature open air designs overlooking the Aegean, while the natural woods, concrete, stone and iron accents give the spaces an industrial-inspired vibe. 

The suites are simple yet stylish, with understated but remarkably tasteful decor, Rifat Özbek-designed cushions and textured wall canvases by local artists.In-room amenities include underfloor heating, remote-controlled blackout curtains, Aqua di Parma toiletries, large wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, free Wi-Fi, and Bose sound systems, but there are no coffeemakers in the standard rooms. The suites have espresso machines. Sprays of fresh flowers and lush gardens add shots of pink to the cool-coloured interior, and the views from the rooms are dazzling.

FOOD, FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Come evening time at Maçakizi, you'll dine in an open-air restaurant amongst the silver-leafed olive trees and stone-studded gardens above the beach club. Head chef Aret Sahakyan has created a Mediterranean and ‘new Turkish’ menu, with manti (tiny egg pasta dumplings filled with ground beef) and tagliatelle topped with local lobster, both of which are beautifully paired with the sizeable international wine list alongside excellent Turkish wines, in particular, those from the nearby Urla Winery. 

Two kitchens serve the à la carte restaurant, bar area and breakfast pavilion, where there’s a buffet of Turkish olives, tomatoes and cheeses, as well as pastries, breads and cooked dishes. 

WHAT TO KNOW

THE AMBIENCE: Note, this is not a quiet, family-friendly place, but those interested in people-watching, sunbathing, and partying will be hard-pressed to find a better spot. 

FOR BUSINESS: Although it’s not particularly geared toward business travelers, Maçakizi has a meeting room with audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi and on-site parking are included in all rates, and valet parking is available for a fee. 

WHAT TO PACK: Your very best swimwear, and designer shades to match. Remember wedges or deck shoes, to reduce the risk of sprains on the stone steps or by the waterfront.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: This isn't the most toddler-suited hotel: lots of stone steps, and decks on the water. That said, extra beds are free for under-6s, €130 a night for older kids.

WHEN TO VISIT: The hotel is closed from November through to mid-April. 

Visit https://www.macakizi.com/ to check their availability or visit their Instagram page @macakizihotel.

I was hosted as a guest of Maçakizi, however, all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.