Superyachts visiting Turkey have miles upon miles of unspoilt coastline to explore, many hidden turquoise bays, bustling towns with exciting nightlife and sedate villages, all just waiting to be uncovered.
A yacht charter here offers its guests private relaxation or the bright lights of Bodrum.
The Kempinski Barbaros Bay, located around 20 minutes outside of the city of Bodrum, is an oasis of tranquility. It has its own private marina available for superyachts (complete with a marina butler) and a plethora of amenities within the hotel too. This includes four restaurants, each offering a different type of cuisine, a heavenly spa, adults-only beach club and of course rooms available to start or end your charter in style.
After exploring the nearby bays and coves, Nicci Perides leaves the yacht and heads ashore for a few days in paradise.
The Spa
The Spa at the Kempinski is a haven of serenity. From your first step into the cooling, calming surroundings you are immediately transported away from the hustle of the hotel.
Decorated in neutral colours and harmoniously blending ancient Turkish traditional treatments with modern facilities, The Spa is a must. Enjoy a dip in the Jacuzzi, or indoor swimming pool and then choose from the vast list of treatments available including an indoor water therapy (WATSU Pool).
The Hamman Experience especially is worth a mention a 90-minute indulgent treatment that begins with a traditional Turkish scrub down. Lying on the marble table, your therapist will begin the ritual by bathing you in warm water, followed by a fairly harsh yet well-needed scrub using a loofer and a bar of soap, this is followed by an all over mud-pack, and finally a pillow-case of soft bubbles will be carefully draped over the body. Your therapist will rinse you off, wash your hair and lead you to the waiting area. This part of the treatment removes all dead skin and leaves your skin baby soft. The final 45 minutes is spent in the hands of one of the very qualified massage therapists for a full body treat. Bliss.
To end the experience, ginger tea is served while you sit in the relaxation area in your fluffy white robe. This is an ideal treatment to start your holiday with, by removing dead skin; your body is ready to gain a deeper tan that lasts longer.
The restaurants
Barbarossa Beach & Seafood
Located out on the beach, a 15-minute walk from the main hotel (a golf buggy is also available for the transfer), Barbarossa offers unrivalled views over the Aegean Sea from its wooden beach-house style. The food is sourced locally from the sea and offers a fusion of flavours mixing Mediterranean with Turkish. A local band also plays to the guests as they enjoy five-star service by the excellent and knowledgeable waiting staff. A bottle of Turkish wine is also a must to try.
La Luce
La Luce offers an extremely elegant al fresco dining setting with simply beautiful views across the ocean from its cliff top perch. The white linen, gold tree lights and candles top off the intimate, romantic setting. The food is authentically Italian, the wine is crisp and once again, the staff are excellent and provide fantastic advice on both the menu and wine list.
Saigon Club
In a vast contrast to the rest of the hotel, Saigon's deep scarlet colour awakes the passion of the orient. A fusion of Asian cuisine is served into the centre of the table forcing a dining experience with the emphases on sharing. Choose from noodle dishes from China, curries from Thailand or sushi from Japan can't decide? Well, just order it all.
Olives Restaurant
A little less formal, Olives offers a large buffet in high season and a la Carte for low season. Choose from an impressive array of cheeses, pasta, meats, breads, seafood, salads and desserts. All backed-up by waiter service. Olives is located on the top level and offers fantastic views across the resort and out over the Aegean.
Sundeck beach club
The adults only beach club is the ultimate chill-out spot. Free from children, a DJ spins the latest Ibiza-chillout tunes daily. The sunbeds and day beds are simply perfect to catch sunrays and then cool off in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea.
Snacks and drinks are served daily here.