With a whole world to explore – and a limited bank of precious holiday time to use – a destination is rarely so exceptional that it warrants a repeat visit. But Hillside Beach Club, an Eden-esque spot on the Turkish coast, defies the idea of once-in-a-lifetime trips. A staggering 68 per cent of guests here choose to make a return visit, a statistic so impressive that the hotel is studied as part of the Harvard Business School’s curriculum. But what is it about this spot that keeps guests coming back year after year?
A long season and a spectacular setting
Follow the stretch of hidden coves and sparkling waters of Turkey’s aptly nicknamed Turquoise Coast to the little marina town of Fethiye, where narrow streets and colourful bazaars give way to the seclusion of Hillside Beach Club. Surrounded by lush, pine-covered hills and overlooking the sands of private Kalemya Bay, the resort is a fantastical escape from the grind.
And there’s plenty of time to enjoy it. Even as the leaves start to fall and autumn days grow dark and dreary in the UK, you’ll still find a bright slice of summer at the Hillside Beach Club. Like previous years, the 2024 season is set to be a lengthy one, with guests taking their places poolside on Saturday 6 April 2024 and staying until the final cocktails are poured on Sunday 10 November 2024.
Recreation and relaxation amid breathtaking nature
Designed in harmony with the coastline’s wild and ancient beauty, the minimalist architecture complements rather than competes with the spectacular surroundings. There’s no bad room to book here – each has a sea view and a private terrace or balcony from which to enjoy it. And when you can tear yourself away from the panoramas, the resort’s three beaches (Main beach, open to all, and Silent and Serenity beaches, reserved for adults only), large pool and tranquil spots such as the yoga deck, are at your fingertips.
Equally exquisite is the Sanda Nature Spa, where seven therapy rooms offer everything from traditional Turkish baths to a tree-top deep tissue massage. It's set just off Silent Beach, so the only sounds drifting through the breeze as you give yourself over to the capable practitioners will be faint birdsong and ocean waves.
Exploring the area by land and sea
Perhaps one of the reasons so many guests return to Hillside Beach Club is that it’s nigh on impossible to take in all of the activities in one trip. Turkey’s first official school of motor watersports and wakeboarding, the resort makes the most of its prime beachfront location with wake surfing sessions – a thrilling sport where riders surf in the frothing waves created by a boat – and wakeboarding lessons led by a world champion. Keen adventurers can gain professional accreditation on the resort’s sailing courses or set out on an all-day boat tour of the islands – a region historically known as Lycia – to discover the ruined temples and tombs of the ancient world. On dry land, guides lead treks through the verdant surroundings to age-old monasteries, while a choice of cycling routes – short, medium and long – takes in cliffside paths and majestic ruined cities. Even the most tentative of cyclists can partake, with e-bikes available to cover more ground and provide a boost on hills.
Although classes for children cover everything from film-making to robot-building, there’s nothing nicer than spending some quality time as a family. From setting sail in a catamaran alongside a pod of leaping dolphins to learning about the marine life of the bay and watching a film in the outdoor cinema at sunset, there is no end to the entertaining (and educational) family activities to enjoy. Of course, if all you want to do is lie on the beach and soak up the sun, that’s perfectly fine too.
Fresh dishes to fuel your daily adventures (and delight your tastebuds)
Every meal at Hillside Beach Club is an event. Family dining is made fun and simple at the Main Restaurant where vibrant Turkish and Mediterranean flavours are served up buffet-style. Health-conscious guests don’t miss out on flavour, with a special wellness buffet and a range of options catering for any dietary restrictions. Children, too, are far from an afterthought, with menus designed for fussy eaters, a Baby Chef on hand to ensure balanced diets for the little ones, and an ice-cream corner for indulgent desserts. Fresh seafood and exquisite local produce are given an Italian twist at the Beach Bar and Restaurant, where a cold glass of beer at lunchtime sets you up for one of the resort’s renowned Sunset Parties as night falls. For a light brunch after that all-important holiday lie-in or a romantic, candle-lit supper beneath an ocean of stars, a reservation at the charming beachside Pasha on the Bay will never go amiss.
A warm welcome and attention to detail
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Everything is built around Hillside Beach Club’s philosophy of feeling good, from dining and wellbeing activities to the service. It’s easy to see why families, couples and solo travellers are drawn back here year after year, to a spot where guests old and new are treated like long-lost friends. Names are remembered, as are personal tastes, and a sense of care, ease and warmth are palpable with every staff interaction. Service is made even more seamless with the innovative use of technology, including apps to order your favourite cocktail at the press of a button and digital programmes to plan the day’s activities.
Something new to discover on every trip
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Though there are some things a returning guest can always depend on when they visit Hillside Beach Club – traditional dishes, water-bound adventures, and the warmest welcome imaginable – the resort frequently introduces new, limited activities into the mix. From Sunday 5 May to Sunday 12 May, it will become a wellbeing hotspot with Feel Good Week, an itinerary that focuses on stress-busting and serenity. Water Sports Week includes masterclasses and waterskiing and wake boarding displays by world champions, and for those dying to put their skills to the test, the fun-filled Summer Challenge Week is the chance to cycle, swim and trek along the bay with fellow fitness enthusiasts. Cultural offerings include special showings, workshops and curated talks as part of the British Film Institute Summer Screenings, but possibly the most magical event of the calendar takes place in August when a chamber orchestra takes to a floating wooden dock for a live performance of classical music as the sun sets. That alone is worth a repeat visit.
To see more, visit hillsidebeachclub.com or follow on instagram @Hillsidebeachclub, for reservations, email feelgood@hillsidebeachclub.com