Oludeniz, Fethiye, Turkey

Ölüdeniz is a small village and beach resort in the Fethiye district on the Turquoise Coast of southwestern Turkey, Never having been to Turkey we were keen to stay somewhere not too commercialised and Ölüdeniz was perfect. The hotel is an all-inclusive resort ideal for families but also adults holidaying alone. The bedrooms are in small, two storey accommodation blocks situated amid beautifully kept gardens.

We arrived very early in the morning and were so excited we headed straight to the beach which although quite pebbly was absolutely stunning. The waves are fantastic and the sea so clear that we spent late afternoon on the beach as often as we could just jumping in the surf. If we weren’t exploring the local area, most mornings were spent by the pool where entertainment staff liked to encourage everyone to join in various activities. They soon learned which guests were happy to join in and who preferred to be left alone to sunbathe. If adults did find it a little noisy though there is also an adults only pool with cocktail bar which was beautifully peaceful.

Through the day we found we were very well catered for – the day started with a fabulous buffet breakfast for those who got up in time. For those who didn’t, pancakes, fruits and cakes were served in the courtyard. Lunch was again a delicious buffet or ‘fast food’ for those who wanted to stay by the pool. A couple of times a week two local ladies came in to demonstrate rolling the local pizzas and these were then cooked in wood fired ovens by the pool. Cakes again were served in the afternoon but we always saved ourselves for the amazing evening buffet with delicious meats, seafoods, salads and local dishes of every type. Being all inclusive, drinks of local wines and beers are included and some local spirits and cocktails too. Staff were very friendly and loved to serve children in particular. One evening we visited the adults only pool which is turned into an a-la-carte restaurant in the evening and that again had fabulous food and service.

After a day getting to know the resort facilities we strolled along the side of the beach to the small but bustling local village. It was also really nice doing this after a meal in the evening – surreal sat on giant bean bags on the sand drinking cocktails and listening to the waves crashing! Also just a five minute walk away was the local hamam or Turkish Baths and I would definitely recommend this for an exhilarating and ultimately relaxing experience.

We went on several trips including a boat trip on Oludeniz lagoon (known locally as blue lagoon for obvious reasons), a coach trip to ancient catacombs where we heard more about the very rich and diverse history of Turkey and the obligatory trip to the markets where there were lots of bargains to be had. The stall holders welcome you in for a glass of apple tea and delight in showing you their wares. They can be loud and a little pushy but it’s great fun to haggle and the kebabs were definitely nothing like the poor excuse for kebabs we have at home.

As a birthday treat I took my nephew in two man microlytes, flying high over the mountains right behind the hotel. The feeling of soaring down over craggy mountain tops, over the hotel and down over the sea was magical. Another highlight for me was a trip to the Ghost Town of Kayakoy which was a town of over 1000 houses when 25, 000 Greek inhabitants were repatriated to Greece due to the massive government mandatory population exchange between the two countries following the Greek War of Independence. I found this particularly interesting as I was reading Louis de Berniere’s “Man without Wings” a novel featuring this time in Turkish history. Also a wonderful day was a trip high up into the mountains where we swan in ice cold glacial waters and feasted on barbequed trout and salad cooked at the side of the lake.

We all enjoyed the holiday so much we voted to make a return trip the following year and I would thoroughly recommend the resort.