THEHIDEAWAYAMIDTHEPINES
Mandarin Oriental,
Bodrum, Turkey
Presidential VillaThe pad:Spread across two floors, this
bulletproof seven bedroom villa is an ultra-
cool retreat beloved of Turkey’s glitziest set.
Constructed using green-tinged local stone
toblendseamlesslyintothepinesandgnarled
olivetrees,itsitsonthetieredhillsideofthis
ultra chic, 15,000 acre resort, which opened in- Its modernist design includes dark grey
marble floors, a striking cube fireplace and
slickglassslidingdoors,providingseemingly
endless views of the Aegean. Its eight bathrooms
feature quirky, free-standing, egg-shaped baths
alongside oversized rainforest showers and there
isalsoasteamroom,fitnesscentreandsauna.
Outside,thereisavastpoolterracewhereyou
can see your superyacht anchored in the bay.
Life’sabeach:Wrappedaroundthehorseshoe-
shaped Paradise Bay, the resort has two private
beaches. Guests of the villa can enjoy the sandy
surroundings from an enclosed cabana, with
ice-cold beverages and shisha on demand from
starch-collared waiters.
Dresstoimpress:The style factor at this resort
could rival Saint-Tropez during the summer
months – think stilettos, diamonds and handbag
dogs.Ifyouwanttotopupyourwardrobe,the
resort’s arcade of shops offers international
favourites including Missoni Mare, Stella
McCartney and Givenchy as well as Ottoman-
inspiredjewelleryandworksbylocalartists.
Best by boat:Anchorintheshelteredbayand
tender to the hotel ’s jetty, just moments away
from the Presidential Villa.
From €40,000 a night, mandarinoriental.com
Voyage
The Presidential Villa
takes pride of place at the
Mandarin Oriental, and
its spectacular terrace has
a pool, shower and sunbeds206