TRAVEL: MARMARIS – A PERFECT AFFORDABLE LUXURY BREAK

A SHORT morning commute can really set the tone for the day, I ponder, on the 30-second walk from my hotel room to the beach at Cook’s Club Adakoy, Marmaris, Turkey.

After a short detour to the hotel bar to get a fresh apple juice, I find a sunbed and commence the task of listening to the waves crash against the rocky shore.

Part of the Cook’s Club franchise, Adakoy is the lushest resort I have ever stepped foot in. And, although prices have been steadily rising, favourable exchange rates still make Turkey far more affordable than Euro favourites like Portugal and Spain.

Here’s the lowdown on the luxe Turkish resort with all the trimmings, at a lower price tag.

The location is postcard perfect

Located within the Marmaris National Forest at Adakoy, a two-hour transfer from Dalaman airport, the five-star, adults-only resort is on a private cove and marina overlooking crystal clear waters.

Along with 151 rooms, it has a spa centre and hammam, a beach disco and bar, a tennis court, a co-working space and a private disco room available to rent.

There are three private beaches, lined with sunbeds and wicker parasols, a large pool and a bubbling jacuzzi. My double room is fully equipped with a modern ensuite, full of all the amenities I could ever need, from a hairbrush to a dental hygiene kit, and a balcony overlooking the pool and beach.

The food options are fabulous The Cantina restaurant, located in the centre of the hotel, prides itself on its homemade cuisine, with every

dish made in front of you and perfectly to order. Although the core menu – which changes daily – doesn’t have an abundance of meat-free options, the chefs are happy to accommodate vegetarians and vegans at their seven live cooking stations.

A mini-ice cream parlour also offers a huge array of flavours all day long – something I’m relieved to discover in the 35°C heat.

Over the course of the week, I eat traditional Turkish kebabs, pizzas, pasta dishes, sushi (both vegan and otherwise), noodles, steak and much more. There is a mini market with snacks, souvenirs, and other holiday

bits you might need if, like me, you forget to bring a plug adapter. Well-being is a big focus Every day, the hotel hosts sunrise and sunset yoga sessions on a pier overlooking the water and the nearby Bedir Island.

The ultra-modern, white-walled spa offers a range of services. Although the idea of a body scrub in the hammam sounds intriguing, I opt for a Turkish massage, which costs €35 (R588) for 30 minutes.

In what feels a little bit like a consensual beating, I have the knots forcefully removed from my back. But even though I do feel much better afterwards, I conclude a Turkish massage is not for the faint-hearted.

Evenings can be lively or relaxed

The hotel offers a full itinerary of activities for guests every day, including cocktail making, Raki tasting (the Turkish national drink similar to sambuca), a movie night on the beach, and water sports – all of which I plan on giving a try. As I board a spacious two-tiered boat to experience a sunset sailing tour, I have no idea how sensational the evening will be.

Sat on the front deck, I drink Turkish beer and eat fresh fruit as we sail for 20 minutes before turning off the engine to watch the sun go down.

In the evening, the beach transforms into an outdoor nightclub, where I dance and sing along to an array of 2000s hip-hop and noughties number ones.

Days can be action-packed

At about 7am the next day, I join a group led by our hotel host, and start a somewhat gruelling trek up to Nimara Cave, slightly hampered by my overindulgence of the all-inclusive gin and tonics at the beach disco the night before.

Starting only minutes from the hotel entrance, we follow the path up to a high point of the national park, where we are greeted by incredible views of the ocean, Marmaris and beyond. On the way down, we visit the cave; a must-see huge expansive echo chamber accessed via a rickety wooden staircase.

I discover the joys of canoeing, which, despite being a first-timer, is surprisingly enjoyable and costs only £7 an hour for a single canoe, and £10 for a double.

We paddle over to Bedir, and jump in for a quick dip, before completing a lap around the island in our canoes.

What else is there to do?

Despite the number of activities on offer at the resort, I feel the need to explore further afield.

Marmaris is only a 25-minute water taxi ride away. The taxis run from 10am-midnight, so guests can spend as much or as little time away from the resort as they like.

Once in the old town, I am greeted by hundreds of shops, all serviced by somewhat keen Turkish vendors, who have a wide array of designer (and not-so designer) brands. A key part of shopping in Turkey is haggling, and you are expected to drive a hard bargain before buying anything.