Bodrum EDITION review: is this summer 2024's coolest hotel?

Ibiza, Mykonos, Bodrum: Turkey’s turquoise coast has firmly established itself among the Mediterranean party capital route, with superyachts routinely mooring along the peninsula.

Kate Moss, George Clooney and a smattering of Saudi princes have been spotted on its shores — and the Bodrum EDITION, built into its westerly hillside, is primed for a well-heeled crowd. Having recently earned a Michelin star, and welcomed a head chef with a star of his own, it's safe to say the hotel's seventh season relaunch means business.

Where is it?

Along the west of the Bodrum peninsula, a few kilometres from Yalikavak Marina, or 35-minutes drive from Bodrum proper. The hotel has everything you need — truly — so get out if you can, or stay in and enjoy.

Style

The EDITION, which has 20 properties (and two more in the works), has nailed low-key luxe, covered in cool whites and light wooden decor. Designer Ian Schrager’s mantra — “simplicity is true luxury” — is made flesh in Bodrum, where the hotel’s quintessential Le Labo scent wafts gently through the high-ceilinged lobby and beyond. There are only fleeting design nods to its location, but looking out to the olive trees and bright blue of the Aegean is a helpful reminder.

Facilities

This is where the hotel really excels, having found the formula to create a resort that looks and feels nothing like a resort. Along with its three restaurants and beach bar, there’s a private beach and infinity pool (with reams of white sunbeds and cabanas on its glorious jetty); while water activities, from boat rides to jet skiing, can take you from land to sea in seconds. There’s also an enormous spa with a full Turkish hammam, a gym (with a reformer Pilates bed), and a selection of boutiques which change with the season, this year including model Oliver Cheshire’s swimwear brand, Ché Studios.

Extracurricular

Yalikavak, a kind of Dubai-on-sea, is either a half-hour walk or five minute taxi ride; marvel at the gleaming promenade and rows of designer stores, which are interspersed with more Michelin-starred eateries (and Salt Bae’s famed steakhouse, Nusr-Et). It’s decidedly new money — and heaps of it — worth a visit for a quick gawp alone. For a more mixed bag, head to Bodrum, where tourists, locals and boating types mingle. Stroll along the marina, grab an ice cream (and, if you’re looking to beef up your wardrobe, a seriously high quality designer knockoff), and blag your way onto a superyacht if you can.

Food & drink

The Michelin Guide began on Turkey’s coast six months ago, and Kitchen was among the first to be awarded. The menu is Aegean-inspired, with many of the vegetables and herbs grown by the hotel; the Bargilya blue tail shrimp couldn’t be fresher, while octopus and sea bream, calamari, grouper and more have also made it up the few flights from sea level to diners’ plates.

This summer, the hotel opens Brava (headed up by Michelin-starred Stefano Ciotti) for all of your gnocchi and lemon risotto needs; there’s also Morena, an all-day lunch spot, which dishes up everything from ceviche to truffle sushi, and prime cuts and seafood on the grill. You could spend a week here and still have a long list of dishes to try (though do yourself a favour and get the spinach gozleme made in the breakfast area each morning). The martinis are exceptional, too.

Which room?

It would be criminal to pitch up at this beachfront property and fail to secure a sea view (around 80% of the rooms have one). There are 108 rooms, suites and villas, and sizing up is well worth it — there’s nothing quite like peeling the curtains back (or rather, pressing a button that does it for you) and seeing the shimmering blue stretching out into the horizon. Most also have outdoor space, along with marble bathrooms (with deep tubs), and ergonomic work areas.

Best for...

Luxe weekenders who don’t plan on lifting a finger.

Details

Rooms start from £340 per night. editionhotels.com