If there’s any real reason why the Greek Isles should be synonymous with sun-soaked, idyllic escape and the Bodrum Peninsula should remain obscure, it’s certainly nothing to do with geography. This part of Turkey is as stunning as anything on the Mediterranean, and it provides a splendid backdrop for some very fine hotels, including the Hamak Hotel, in the seaside village of Gündoğan, just across the peninsula from Bodrum.
The owners previously opened the Sofa Hotel in Istanbul, and they’re not strangers to the genre of chic, design-conscious little boutique hotels. This sort of understated luxe is at a premium in Turkey, but the Hamak’s style is carried off confidently, the rooms a vision in light neutrals and dark wood, the public spaces in soft whites and organic textures.
With just 20 rooms and one suite, it’s intimate, and the atmosphere is mellow, even as DJs spin in the beach club and the restaurant. There’s a Pilates studio, for the fitness-minded, and all manner of water sports are available. And for guests who require more stimulation than this laid-back village can provide, it’s a short drive into Bodrum proper, where there’s no end of nightlife.
author watson@mouselink.net, source www.tablethotels.com