From plate smashing to barefoot dancing – hanging out at two of Turkey's best resorts
From lunchtime dancing, to quiet sunset cruises; plate smashing, to spa time – D-Hotels & Resorts’ two beachside options in Turkey may each offer a different take on resort living, but both offer equal amounts of sophistication and great service
The rain was making a real effort to dampen spirits, and the plates were being smashed Greek-style at an alarming rate. Both these things felt particularly unusual given we were in Turkey... During the same stay, there had also been dancing on tables akin to a day out at a hedonistic Ibizan beach club. Welcome to D Maris Bay.
Having established itself as one of the world’s most desirable resorts, this place attracts a very glamorous jet-set crowd, who will happily dance, smash plates and enjoy fine dining whatever the weather and at the drop of a fashionable hat, another of which they could easily purchase in one of the resort’s stylish boutiques, should it be needed.
But this place goes beyond the bling too, as it’s a place of real beauty, hidden away on Turkey’s Datca Peninsula. The resort celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2022 and is a feat of both engineering and architecture. Embedded into an environment of dramatic bays, beautiful clear turquoise waters and rolling pine-clad hills with forested volcanic mountain ranges in the distance, it’s this great sense of remoteness that explains the real appeal among its high-profile guests. Presumably, they could get all the glamour they want in many places around the world – but this tranquil spot cossets them in quiet privacy, something probably more appreciated by many than a magnum of Cristal.
A location where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, with crystal clear waters lapping around the archipelago onto sleepy white beaches, also explains the plethora of yachts gliding elegantly around the peninsula. They can anchor at D Maris Bay and enjoy a complimentary shuttle boat service to the hotel, or use the mooring facilities, and then enjoy all the resort’s bars and restaurants over languid lunches and late nights.
Travelling in October, our days were certainly languid and on the whole, sunny and warm – that rain had hit us at night, and was excusable given how late in the season it was. The resort was of course naturally on the quieter side too by that point in the year: this would be a perfect quiet-ish spot in May and late September, but I can see how both the temperatures and the swankiness level of the guests could soar in the height of summer.
A smashing time
The plate smashing was all part of the fun at Manos, one of seven dining options around D Maris Bay. A lovely setting for a traditional Greek taverna serving the freshest seafood, the rustic-designed restaurant is set on one of the resort’s palm-fringed stretches of beach, which would be a charming spot for lunch – though presumably without the plate smashing.
The Mediterranean menu at night saw dish after dish served family style, with plates piled high with octopus, mussels, squid and lobster, and joined by plenty of fresh bread, olives, salads and mezze. After dinner – the staff turned dancers, and before long, guests were up with them too, busting out their best “sirtaki” dance steps to a live band, a la Zorba the Greek. Once the dancing’s done – out come the plates. There’s no point counting how many; but I’d say hundreds are smashed. Specially-produced plaster plates are used these days, and they’re all dutifully swept up and recycled.
As well as Manos Beach, there are four other beaches to explore, perhaps using the cute funicular from the top of this hilltop resort (golf buggies can also be hailed of course). Beaches include The Bay, Silence Beach (no children under 12 years old), Maris Beach and La Guerite Beach Club, home to those Ibiza/St Tropez vibes. A stroll around the resort’s bays is also a perfect excuse to stop off for coffee, shakes and smoothies, sweet and savory snacks, ice creams or fresh fruits from DD Scoop and DD Pastry.
Famous faces
Or you could have a look in at Nusr’et on Bay Beach. Nusret Gokce, nicknamed Salt Bae, is a Turkish butcher, chef, restaurateur and now ‘food entertainer’, whose technique for preparing and seasoning meat have made him an internet sensation.
Go on his website and you’ll see everyone from David Beckham to Al Pacino grabbing a picture (and presumably) a meal with him. And D Maris Bay has one of his restaurants – probably easier to get reservations at than the Istanbul flagship. He’s known for tender steaks served with a touch of theatre (his method of seasoning the meat has been mimicked the world over), and Nusr’et on Bay Beach is a carnivore’s dream.
As a vegetarian, dining there probably would have been lost on me – and I was more than happy to dine at one of the resort’s other top outlets, Zuma, internationally loved contemporary restaurants based on the concept of Japanese cuisine served izakaya style with delicious ‘snacking’ style dishes, robata grill dishes and of course sushi. It was another jaw-dropper of a location, with panoramic views over the twinkling lights of the resort, with an open kitchen bringing the drama in a sexy low-lit environment.
For familiar international dishes done well – hello pizzas – and a host of delicious Turkish dishes, then D Maris Kitchen is the place to go, with a sea-side setting at Bay Beach; it’s an all-day, casual beach-side dining affair, making it perfect for families, and it also transforms into a brasserie-style restaurant for dinner.
Pillow talk
When it comes to laying your head down, clients can rest assured the very finest materials have been sourced and careful details paid attention to across the resort’s 159 spacious rooms, which include 37 suites, a duplex presidential suite and an exclusive villa.
The hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, and my deluxe room with mountain views through floor-ceiling windows was a tranquil haven, with soothing design tones and contemporary touches, and an open-plan bathroom of smooth Travertine. There was even a huge sunken bath with a view, which I was happy to relax in one evening using the Etro bathroom amenities. The room also came with a terrace, while smart tech included everything controlled by touch panel.
Of course, time spent in the room is time that should be spent enjoying the resort’s highlights, such as La Guerite. The beach bar hails from Cannes originally, sitting on the rocky cove of Ile Sainte-Marguerite since 1902, with later locations added in St Barths. Linen napkins embroidered with ‘Sunshine, Sea and Bubbles’ – a saying I can appreciate – were soon being waved around in the air with happy abandon as our lunch drew to a close.
What started out as a quiet, sun-dappled Sunday gathering – with incredible Mediterranean food – turned into a rose-fuelled session of dancing barefoot in the decked restaurant with killer views behind us as the DJ played everything from Abba to classic house tunes. As a calmer contrast, we later watched the sun go down sat on deckchairs on the lawn of Green Hill, with classical music playing around us; other quiet moments of the stay included a peaceful morning yoga session in a shady sala looking out into the woods.
Balancing act
I’d started the trip in a calmer spot too – at sister property, D-Resort Gocek, tucked right next to the bustling marina town of the same name. It’s around the bay from Fethiye on Turkey’s southwestern Turquoise Coast and close to Dalaman airport (30 minutes away) so is a good place to begin the trip, and is then easily combinable with its big sister, around two hours away.
While D Maris Bay gives off remote Bond-lair vibes, D-Resort Gocek couldn’t be any closer to local bustling life, with the eponymous pretty town literally across the street and packed with cafes, restaurants, bars and shops giving a cosy, local feel to immerse yourself in.
Ogling all the yachts lined up is a common past time, and the resort itself has a boat to add to the mix, a sleek slate-grey one that we ventured out on for sunset drinks, and which would not have looked out of place in an episode of Succession. Talk of billionaire moguls: while we were out on the water, we drifted past a megayacht identified by a fellow guest as belonging to Roman Abramovich.
Calm and collected
While the area may attract some international jetsetters, there is a genuine Turkish feel to D-Resort Gocek. Its design is somewhat more low-key than D Maris Bay and the resort is really spread out, giving plenty of room to roam. Guest rooms themselves are calming, with a cool contemporary feel, framed by plenty of whitewashed wood that acts as a backdrop to canopied beds draped in flowing white gauze.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels, the hotel has 102 rooms in small blocks that meander along an inlet and around three outdoor pools, and my first-floor standard room was very spacious – other larger options could include deluxe rooms and suites with direct pool access. The dual-level D Spa has four treatment rooms, a vitality pool, sauna and steam rooms, gym and pilates reformer equipment, while complimentary bikes can also be picked up to explore the area.
The food is equally appealing as D Maris Bay too, if not quite as opulent in range. The delicious platter of local treats and cheese-and-wine set up in the room ready for our arrival was a good taste of what was to come. I would have been happy grazing my way through the welcome treats, but dinner on my first night in Turkey was suitably set on the sea, with a stunning look-out as we dined on the jetty of D’ Breeze next to a small private beach, sampling authentic Aegean cuisine.
For something equally delicious but heading towards a glitzier vibe, the resort’s Q Lounge is perched up on the hill and gives more amazing views and Bali vibes as you tuck into Japanese and Pacific Rim specialities. These hotels deliver idyllic settings in fabulous, friendly places – whether rain or shine.
How to book it
Elegant Resorts offers seven nights at both resorts from £4,090pp. This includes three nights at D Maris Bay in a Superior Mountain View Room and four nights at D-Resort Gocek in a Superior Room. Price includes economy flights, private transfers and UK lounge passes and is based on 9 September departure.
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Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
