Some stays you don’t forget. My stay at the Six Senses Kaplankaya is definitely one of them. This luxury hotel located on the edge of the Aegean, one hour from Bodrum, is a haven of peace and relaxation between inlets of turquoise water, beaches of white sand, olive orchards, cypresses and bougainvillea.

The hotel is part of a complex which also has privately-owned residences, a marina and beaches. It has the feeling of a little village in the middle of the countryside. You can move around it on foot or using golf carts that are made available to guests simply by calling reception. I stayed in a “Terrace Ridge with pool”, a room with a terrace and a private swimming pool.

Six Sense hotels put the emphasis on well-being, calm and respect for nature. You won’t find any ostentatious luxury here; just attractive architecture that combines Mediterranean and contemporary style in a way that is restful to look at. The decor is deliberately minimalist, but the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Blonde wood and natural materials harmonise with the severe aesthetic of the surrounding landscape.

Here, well-being and relaxation are not just empty words. The hotel has the largest spa in Europe, at 10,000 m². You can enjoy treatments aimed at your particular needs (detox, anti-ageing, etc). In search of peace? Teachers of meditation and yoga are there to guide you. In search of activity? The sports hall, on two floors, is immense, and the fitness suite is ultra-modern, with the latest generation of machines. In search of … lazing around? The indoor and outdoor swimming pools and the beach await you. In search of outdoor activity? Meet friends on the basketball or tennis courts, or go for a hike. For my own part, I worked out every day in the fitness suite, and benefitted from massages in the spa, which really is just as good as the hotel. I also appreciated the mini-sessions of massage offered on leaving the sports hall. Whether it comes from a session in the spa, in the pool, in the sports hall or from the massages provided, or just from hours relaxing beside the water, happiness here is certain.

All these activities made me hungry. I stayed at the Six Senses Kaplankaya right at the start of the season, and during a period of lockdown in Turkey, so only one restaurant was open although at normal times there are three. The cuisine with its Mediterranean flavours is prepared with the products of the hotel’s own kitchen garden. A little touch that I loved: On request, the chef will prepare dishes that are not on the menu, or change the side dishes. I had fish (sea fish, of course) and meze while watching magnificent sunsets from the restaurant terrace, or from the terrace of my own apartment. And I’m sure I don’t need to add that it was a memorable gourmet break.

You know my passion for breakfasts. Wherever I am, I find them a really fine way to start the day. Here I was spoiled with Turkish specialities and healthy, original smoothies, granola bowl (a bowl of granola but with extras!), cherry bowl, chia pudding, etc.

I loved the professionalism of the staff, who are simultaneously extremely attentive and extremely discreet.

In fact, I appreciated this stay so much that I extended it!

During this period, every health measure is being taken to make your stay a moment of grace, away from everyday cares. You can get the result of a Covid test, taken in the medical centre before check-in, in 15 minutes. To be on the safe side, the staff are isolated on the site and undergo regular testing.

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