Review: Amanruya

Tucked away on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, this property feels more akin to a sleepy Mediterranean village than a hotel

Location: Tucked away in a wonderfully peaceful corner of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, this little drop of paradise is a 40-minute drive from Milas-Bodrum airport and 30 minutes from Bodrum’s Old Town. Surrounded by pine and cypress trees and olive groves, the property feels more hidden and remote than it actually is, and you wouldn’t even know it was there unless you were a guest.

First impressions: More akin to a sleepy Mediterranean village than a hotel, Amanruya is made up of apricot-coloured stone pavilions, each home to individual suites. Restaurants, bars and suites are dotted across the grounds of the property, and a scent of pine follows you everywhere you go. It’s impossible not to embrace the hotel’s tranquil atmosphere.

The facts: The hotel has 34 pavilions – each suite offers a four-poster bed, private gardens, a heated pool and a pergola with a double daybed. The 50-metre-long infinity pool, surrounded by rolling hills and with views over the nearby sea, is the focal point of the property.

On the food front there’s a few options. Poolside Dining Pavilion is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with great authentic Turkish and Aegean cuisine. Clients will need to book the popular Sushi by Amanruya, a relatively new addition to its culinary offering.

Guests can enjoy their temaki sushi, sashimi and tempura inside at the sushi bar or alfresco. The hotel’s Beach Club serves light bites with salads, seafood and Turkish meze galore. There’s also a BBQ Terrace set on a rooftop, perfect for endless balmy Bodrum nights.

Ideal for: Clients wanting a serene and peaceful holiday with impressive service and divine cuisine.

Explore: Sailing, fishing and snorkelling are popular exploits, as is hiking with plenty to see nearby. But you’ll need a car or a driver to explore beyond the boundaries of Amanruya. A trip into Bodrum Old Town is worth a visit. History buffs will want to explore the bounty of ruins located nearby, including Bodrum’s Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Wow: I’ve been lucky enough to stay at a few Aman hotels and I’m always wowed by the design and how each is inspired by the destination it’s in. Amanruya feels like a quaint little village by the shores of the Aegean, with endless cobblestone paths and private pavilions. Combine that with friendly service, wonderful cuisine and stunning surroundings and you have a winning formula.

Book it: A night’s B&B at Amanruya leads in at £863.aman.com

Hollie-Rae Brader

Hollie is editor of Aspire’s print and online products. She is responsible for the running of the club and ensuring the content produced and the events organised are relevant to the Aspire audience. She was previously deputy news editor and cruise writer for sister title Travel Weekly. She loves exploring new destinations and is gradually ticking new countries off her list. She most enjoys writing about cruise, South America and Japan. Before working in the travel industry she held news reporting roles at the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star.

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