Checking In: Amanruya
BODRUM, TURKEY
Amanruya
Nestled between craggy landscapes and rolling hills, amid Mediterranean cypress trees, teetering yachts, and a vast stretch of Aegean blue, Amanruya rests in spacious seclusion on the northern Peninsula of the Turkish Riviera.
Few places in the world offer the classical history and natural beauty of Amanruya’s magnificent Aegean setting. This fabled coastline is where Homer’s heroes were born, where the ancient Greeks consulted their oracles and the Romans built magnificent temples to honour their gods. The region tells a story spanning 5,000 years of history with reminders of its glorious past vying for attention with spectacular scenery and the cosmopolitan modernity of the Turkish Riviera. Towns with ancient names inhabit the bays nearby and traditional Turkish gulets drift by on the horizon, plying the turquoise waters between the Aegean’s many dotted islands.
A long-time favourite with Turkey’s urbanites and international jet-set, Goltürkbükü beckons a handsome crowd drawn here by the shimmering Aegean and laid-back bohemian vibe. Here, on 60-acres of forested hillside and wild olive groves Amanruya — meaning ‘peaceful dream’ — rests in spacious seclusion. Combining architectural elegance and five-star hospitality with wellbeing, true to the brand’s philosophy, the resort’s rural setting has the features of a perfect hideaway village.
Honouring the architecture of traditional Aegean dwellings Amanruya’s collection of 36 freestanding stone and terracotta pavilions seamlessly blend in with the resort’s charming courtyards and thyme scented gardens. Offering a choice of garden or sea views, all pavilions feature private entrances and ample living space. Inside, the high mahogany ceilings give room for canopied beds, walk-in closets and skylit bathrooms that evoke the feeling of traditional bath-houses. Ottoman influences include the Bursa arches joining the bedrooms and bathrooms, hand-made kilims and Turkish charcoal fireplaces to warm rooms and terraces in the cooler months. Guests are indulged as each pavilion features its own infinity edge swimming pool, outdoor shower and shaded pergola lounge with dining area, providing a truly harmonious environment for rest and relaxation.
Maintaining the essence of an authentic village, Amanruya’s lifestyle and wellness facilities are housed in free-standing stone and concrete structures with breathtaking sea and forest views. Surrounding the green-marble infinity pool is the private dining pavilion and outdoor terrace, a wine and cigar lounge, on-site art gallery and three-storey library, replete with a stylish assemblage of reading material and unmissable panoramic views. Stop by the resort’s Spa to sample one of six indulgent treatments inspired by Turkish wellness practices.
On the outskirts of the resort, the secluded Beach Club gives way to a kilometre stretch of private beach complete with wooden jetty and far-reaching views over the Aegean. An idyllic spot shaded by mature foliage and intimate nooks, the Beach Club offers a welcome solace to reconnect with friends and family or to simply wind-down. Open from noon til sundown, the adjacent beach-side restaurant serves-up a seasonal menu alongside the catch-of-the-day.
For a Mediterranean culinary experience, the dining pavilion offers an informal menu with sweeping views of the surrounding hills — best enjoyed open-air on balmy evenings as the Aegean sun sets turning the walls a blush shade of pink.
Amanruya’s proximity to the region’s many classical sites means guests can explore the area's ancient ruins and artisan port-villages as part of a day trip. Sailing around the Bodrum Peninsula and the Gökova Gulf is a unique way to enjoy the beautiful coastline and Bodrum itself. The famed Blue Voyage cruising route sets sail from Bodrum Harbour and takes in secluded coves, beaches and ancient ruins, an experience not to be missed.