Maçakızı Hotel

Set on a quiet bay on the Aegean peninsula, Maçakızı is Bodrum’s best kept secret. Blending contemporary architecture and art, exceptional food and natural elegance, the hotel welcomes creative and free-minds from around the world. Visit. There is something quintessentially generous about Maçakızı. Generous towards the environment first, as one jets from Istanbul to Bodrum to discover endless construction sites plugged into the hills and blue bays of the peninsula. It all seems quite atrocious! At first glance, however, one can hardly distinguish Maçakızı: hidden amongst bougain villaea and lush vegetation, the villas disappear … and if it weren’t for its sun and beach decks anchored at sea level, there would be no explicit signs of Maçakızı abundant luxury. Yes, Maçakızı is generously abundant! A haven for repeated, distinguished guests – Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell are regulars here! – it has been an institution since Sahir Erozan’s mother founded the hippie driven summer hot spot back in the 70s. Since then, the beautifully prepared salad bowls and grilled fish – served at lunch – have continued to conquer every visiting guest while the hotel has kept on fostering new artistic and architectural grounds. Carefully selected by Erozan himself, Sema Topaloğlu’s glass sculptures, Haluk Akakçe’s phenomenal contemporary triptych (a modern reinterpretation of the queen of spades) and Haluk Akakçe countless paintings exhibited in the rooms evoke, right from the entrance, the glorious days of St Paul de Vence. Or those of an inspiring gateway hanging above the lines of the Mediterranean Sea; it almost feels like, in low season, the hotel could be turned into artist residences… As one walks downhill towards the main public spaces of the hotel, the landscaped gardens unveil unique architectural glass boxes that frame the views while protecting the main living room space from the elements. Designed by Ahmet Alataş, the minimalist structure is a contemporary take on Philip Johnson’s Glass House. Below, the newly revamped spa, designed by Murat Tabanlıoğlu, revisits the Turkish hammam tradition: the space, sculpted in veined white marble, opens, on one side, onto the bay. The breath taking views over the Aegean Sea and blossoming flowers bushes add a new dimension to the beauty ritual. A place like no other on the Bodrum peninsula.