Review: An ultra-luxe getaway at Maxx Royal Bodrum

Location: In the increasingly popular ultra-luxe neighbourhood of Göltürkbükü on the Bodrum Peninsula. Located about 50 minutes southwest of Milas-Bodrum airport, the new property’s neighbours are like a who’s who of luxury hotels, with Mandarin Oriental, Voyage and Amanruya nearby, and a Bvlgari soon to join the roster.

First impressions: Maseratis, Ferraris and Porsches… oh my. It’s supercar central as we edge farther from the airport and closer to the property and the impressive peninsula it calls home. Maxx Royal Resorts’ third hotel – the Turkish chain also has outposts in Belek and Kemer – is coming to the tail end of its first season when I arrive in September and, as such, the pace is slower than it would be in the peak months and the hotel feels quiet. At the centre of the lobby is a video installation covering an entire wall that shows colourful swirls and ocean waves. As we make our way to our suite, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the sleek minimalist design of this 282-key property, which blends into the sloping hills and rocks of the rugged coastline.

The facts: All suites and villas (there are no ‘rooms’ here) offer glimpses of the sea, but clients should book top-floor options if they want the best Aegean views. Unlike its all-inclusive sister properties, the Bodrum outpost of Maxx Royal offers only bed and breakfast, with anything else coming at an additional charge. There are plenty of options on the culinary front, with eight restaurants, although most are closed for the season during my visit. Breakfast is served at Twenty4 – and it’s a divine feast.