Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum sits on a private cove at Göltürkbükü on the north-west coast of the peninsula, and it is built for people who want to arrive once and stay put. The resort is large, with a mix of rooms, suites, apartments and villas arranged through gardens and down to the water, many with sea or garden views and some with their own pools. There are two private sandy beaches, with loungers and umbrellas provided, a free beach shuttle and a beach club, plus outdoor pools, an indoor pool and a separate children's pool. The spa offers massages, facials and body scrubs, with a sauna, steam room and Turkish bath, and the resort adds tennis and padel courts, a 24-hour gym, yoga and fitness classes, water sports and bike rental. Dining is a large part of the appeal: the resort has several restaurants, including Hakkasan, ROKA, Gigi Bodrum, Ferdi Baba and Sofra, as well as beach and poolside bars, and a daily buffet breakfast is included in the rate.

The location is the trade-off. Göltürkbükü is a quieter and more exclusive corner of the peninsula than the town, so this is a resort stay rather than a base for sightseeing. The drive to Yalıkavak Marina takes around twenty-five minutes and Bodrum town is further, while the airport is roughly fifty minutes away by car, so factor in a transfer or a hire car if you plan to visit the castle, the Mausoleum or the ancient theatre.

Many guests do exactly one or two excursions and spend the rest of the week at the beach and the spa.

Families are well served. There is a free children's club, a children's pool and playground, high chairs and baby baths, and up to two children under twelve can stay free in existing beds, which makes the price more reasonable than the rate suggests for a family of four. Babysitting is an extra. Pets are not allowed apart from service animals, check-in starts mid-afternoon and check-out is by noon. Rooms were refurbished recently, and cabanas on the beach carry an extra charge, so decide in advance whether you want one.

Season is the key fact. The resort is closed from the end of October until the start of April, so it operates roughly from April to October, with the warmest water and the busiest beaches in July and August. Spring and early autumn give a calmer stay at lower rates, but check opening dates and whether every restaurant and the beach club are running for your dates before you reserve. If you are visiting Bodrum in winter, choose a town hotel instead, and treat this as a summer or shoulder-season stay.