Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay - Turkey

The Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay sits on a private sandy beach amongst sleepy villages and gentle green hills, on one of the quieter stretches of the Aegean coast. The hotel design is elegant and understated, blending traditional Turkish features with contemporary interiors, and the facilities include a beautiful 5,500-square-metre spa. Diverse dining options take you from the Mediterranean to the Far East and back again, with an ever-present backdrop of sublime sea views.

40 minutes’ drive from Bodrum airport.

On tranquil Barbaros Bay, 15 minutes from Bodrum city centre.

There are 173 elegantly-appointed rooms and suites, all with a sea view, private balcony or terrace, air conditioning, HDTV, WiFi, mini bar and in-room safe. Upgrade to a suite for extras including an espresso machine, BOSE iPod dock and VIP bathroom amenities. The One Bedroom Suites have a Jacuzzi, as do the plush Presidential Suites, which feature a private entrance, living room with large dining table and two dressing rooms. There are also 36 residences housed in separate blocks, offering two or three bedrooms, a large balcony or private garden, living room, fully-equipped kitchen and parking area. Residences have access to all of the facilities at the main hotel.

Varied dining options include pan-Asian cuisine at Saigon, à la carte Italian at La Luce and contemporary Turkish cooking at Olives. The Barbarossa Beach Restaurant is a popular spot during the daytime, serving Aegean-inspired seafood and snacks, and there is also a relaxed poolside restaurant and bar where you can grab light Mediterranean bites, cocktails, smoothies and frozen drinks. Other spots to enjoy a drink include the Sundeck, where DJs lay on downtempo grooves during the day, and the aptly-named Chill Out Lounge, where you can get in the mood with a traditional shisha.

Bed & breakfast

The private sandy beach includes dedicated adults-only and family sections, and there’s a beautiful outdoor infinity pool. The expansive Sanitas Spa includes a heated indoor pool, whirlpool, Hammam, saunas, steam rooms and fitness centre, and there’s a massage cabana at the beach. Activities on offer include scuba diving, surfing, trekking and yacht rental, with a private marina on site. There is also a games room, kids’ club, playground and art gallery, so there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.