Amanruya review: a stunning villa-only beach resort in Bodrum

Around 20 minutes from Bodrum on the quiet, northern coast of the peninsula down a dusty road lined with ancient, wizened pines, lies the Amanruya beach resort, an outpost of the Aman luxury hotel family.

Ancient olive groves full of twisted and gnarled trunks and heavy with fruit dot the grounds performing a perpetual, slow dance with the tall, waving feather-fronds of cypress trees. Being among nature plays a pivotal role in the serenity at the hotel and Amanruya frequently bridges gaps between internal and external spaces, creating a hybrid style of living, perfect for the balmy Turkish temperatures. 

Upon arrival, the entrance sets the tone – a shrine, as it were, to hospitality. Cloud-grey stone stairs lead up to an atrium, trapezes of light slanting between the stone beams overhead sitting in it, I feel a little like I’m in ancient Rome; there’s no technology, no buzzing or beeping and few people apart from the staff – the hotel has only 37 suites. Check in is done in-room so does away with the need for a typical front desk. 

The main swimming pool at Amanruya

Why stay here 

Amanruya is all about understated opulence and relaxation. It’s restrained luxury, sensitively designed in an Ottoman style to create an intimate and yet grand village atmosphere with terracotta mortared walls lining the organic pathway of cracked slabs and flat stones, polished like metal, between the villas and the main areas of the hotel. This does make for a rather exciting ride in the buggies that whizz you around, but this is about as dramatic as the pace gets at this peaceful retreat. Obelisk-style stone lanterns dot the hotel, casting gentle spheres of soft light, attracting a few fluttering insects.

The central core of the hotel is where the restaurant is – its beautiful, hedged-in sundeck the ideal spot for a warm breakfast, overlooking the half-Olympic infinity pool with views out across the treetops to the sprawling sea below and smoke blue mountains in the distance. There’s a stunning library encased in a tower, the tallest building on the property – it’s worth ascending the stairs to get an unrivalled view of the valley. There are several other reading and relaxing spaces filled with huge sofas and dark wooden tables matching their beams and low-slung roofs – there’s no bar, per-se, but drinks can be taken in these almost Southeast Asian pavilions. 

The hotel has 37 private villas

The villas

Amanruya is a villa-only hotel, each with its own striking pool. The difference between the accommodation comes down to the view – some have sea views, some garden and some up into the surrounding forested hills. The villas are generously sized and well-separated; each artery off the main hotel trail splits into two villas so it’s unlikely you’ll be bumping into your neighbours. In the continuing bid to be “switch free”, your doorbell has been swapped out for a cowbell; this continues in the room with a television hidden in the end of the four-poster bed, plug sockets secreted behind wooden slats, light switches as glass and white ceramic dials and the aircon unit concealed in the bedhead. The aforementioned obelisk lanterns are more candle than bulb and room keys are analogue. 

Article source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/arts-life/travel/958362/amanruya-hotel-review-bodrum-turkey