Tranquil luxury in Turkey: A review of the Bodrum Edition

If you're dreaming of sophisticated beach clubs offering lavish oceanfront vacations under the European sun — places that are frequented by celebrities, with marinas where billionaires moor superyachts — Turkey might not be the first place that comes to mind.

However, while the well-heeled in Europe traditionally flock to the French Riviera's St. Tropez; the Spanish island of Ibiza, with its world-famous nightlife; or even the dreamy Cycladic Greek islands of Santorini or Mykonos each summer, the Turkish Riviera has been working hard to position itself as a sought-after destination for the rich and famous.

Related: Why the Greek island I'd always avoided is now one of my favorites

Imagined by storied hotelier Ian Schrager in 2010, the Edition brand epitomizes the ambitious aspirations of the Turkish Riviera with its minimalist chic luxury, Instagrammable backdrops and see-and-be-seen clientele. So, it was a brave yet seemingly logical choice for the first Edition hotel location in Southern Europe.

For those wondering if Bodrum is an ideal destination for a luxurious European summer break, here's what it's like staying at the Bodrum Edition, part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.

Getting there

The Bodrum Edition is in the seaside town of Yalikavak, just over 30 miles from Milas-Bodrum Airport (BJV). This airport receives year-round flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) on Turkish Airlines and seasonal summer flights from major European capitals like London, Paris and Amsterdam.

A taxi or ride-hailing service from Milas-Bodrum Airport will take around 45 minutes, depending on the time of day, and cost $25 to $35. Due to its relatively remote location, no public transport exists between the airport and the property.

Spread across 72,000 square feet, there isn't much to note around the property beyond gated resorts and vacation rentals, so you should plan to eat most of your meals there unless you are taking a taxi to Yalikavak, about 15 minutes away.

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Booking details

The Bodrum Edition is open seasonally from early April to mid-late October each year and offers 110 guest rooms and suites, from the 452-square-foot Deluxe King to the 2,335-square-foot Yalikavak Suite.

Rates at this property start at $441 for a base room in April and rise sharply to $1,821 for the same room in the peak summer month of August, making this one of the priciest base rooms in the Turkish Riviera on some dates. The 1,044-square-foot Sea View Loft Suite I stayed in starts at $1,256 in the low-season months of April and October and climbs up to $4,827 per night in August.

You can also book the Bodrum Edition from just 77,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

While rates rise to 116,500 points during peak dates in August, you should easily be able to obtain higher than TPG's October 2024 valuation of Bonvoy points of 0.85 cents each, and you can still earn a free night at this spectacular property with just one credit card welcome bonus.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card also earns:

• 6 points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• 3 points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores and dining
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

Additionally, this product offers complimentary Silver Elite status in the Bonvoy program as long as your card is open and in good standing. You can upgrade to Gold status when you spend $35,000 or more on the card each calendar year.

Related: The best Marriott credit cards in 2024

Standout features

• Jaw-dropping ocean views of the Aegean Sea's dreamy crystal-clear waters
• Light, airy, soothing suites with twice-daily housekeeping
• An extravagant traditional Turkish breakfast of more than a dozen different plates to start your day
• Golf buggies are on hand to whisk guests anywhere within the property
• Exceptional attention to detail shown by staff from arrival to departure

Drawbacks

• Despite its spectacular views, the property is squeezed into a narrow space overlooked by neighboring resorts on both sides
• Over the summer months, room rates can quadruple
• There are dozens of stairs between the lobby and the beach, which can be a challenge in the heat of the day

The vibe

Although the Edition brand (and many staff working at the property) exude youthful style and effortless elegance, the clientele is a diverse mix of well-heeled young families, older British and American couples loyal to the Marriott family, bucket-list honeymooners and wellness seekers.

While the odd guest stops off at the viewing deck (which doubles as a spectacular sunrise yoga setting and sunset wedding ceremony location) for a quick pic, despite its jaw-dropping backdrop, influencers do not seem to have discovered this slice of paradise and all guests are discreet and respectfully cordial to one another.

The guest experience begins in the bright lobby, which features polished floors, a double-height ceiling, signature Edition giant indoor plants and white sofas.

There's no standing in line waiting to check in here. Hand your passports to the smiling waiting staff while cooling off on the pristine white sofa from the heat of the Turkish sun by enjoying a house-made scoop of ice cream while check-in formalities are completed for you.

Or, if you fancy starting off your vacation with something a little stronger, a small but fully stocked lobby cocktail bar is available for a cheeky tipple.

From there, staff will whisk you to a fleet of nearby golf buggies to transport you and your luggage down to your room or anywhere on the property you would wish to go.

The room

Created by French designer Christophe Pillet, the lobby's neutral tones, minimal design and white linens continue through the guest rooms and suites, having the effect of lulling one into a zen-like state.

The Sea View Terrace suite has a full butler's pantry, not that guests are likely to be whipping up a gourmet meal in their suite with so many culinary destinations to explore on-site.

Still, a wine fridge is a handy addition to chill a crisp rose in preparation for sunset.

Two marble bathrooms are available, both stocked with opulent Le Labo toiletries, Edition-branded boxed water and plenty of fluffy towels.

A full dining table sits to the left as you enter the suite's living room. Should you wish to entertain, perhaps with family or newly made friends, it could easily seat 10 people.

Floor-to-ceiling windows capture the blue skies above and even bluer water below, with privacy curtains and full blackout drapes to ensure a deep, peaceful night's slumber. Despite amplified music at the beach level, you won't hear a peep as you turn in for the night.

Speaking of sleep, the suite bedroom has a king-size bed with a memory foam mattress.

A full-sized desk and a comfortable armchair sit across from the bed should you need to catch up on any last-minute emails. (Though in this beautiful location, we recommend the automated out-of-office reply.)

The ensuite bathroom has a free-standing soaking tub with remote-controlled privacy shades. If you prefer to shower rather than bathe, an oversized walk-in shower with handheld and rainfall showerheads is available, with double vanity sinks.

Take-home gifts of an Edition-branded beach bag and flip-flops are cute and popular with guests. Don't worry if they are not your size — staff will happily and swiftly replace them with any size you request.

The suite balcony is a lovely space to sink into squishy armchairs amid the enormous potted plants, watch the sun go down with your beverage of choice and contemplate whether you need to return to reality. Though you will unlikely require them in the warm and sunny climate, throw rugs are a thoughtful touch to drape over your knees.

Food and drink

The Bodrum Edition boasts four different food and beverage operations. While early October is ideal temperature-wise to visit the destination, with pleasant 82-degree maximum temperatures, fewer crowds and lower room rates, Asian-fusion restaurant Inari and Italian eatery Brava by Stefano Ciotti are already closed for the season.

With all room rates including breakfast, enjoy sleeping in before you make your way down to the Kitchen restaurant, where breakfast is served until noon each day and there is no bland hotel buffet in sight.

Guests are encouraged to go all-out with the "traditional experience," an impressive celebration of Turkish excellence with 17 different plates and bowls ranging from freshly ground peanut spread to various local cheeses to a medley of Mediterranean olives and a selection of house-baked bread and pastries.

If you have any stomach space left after this feast, the included breakfast also offers your choice of a la carte entree items. Try the menemen (a scrambled-egg dish with tomatoes, peppers and onions).

After breakfast, the beachside Morena restaurant and bar offers a variety of outdoor seating, whether you want to chat with the bartender or lounge about and nibble on a series of light bites.

Traditional freshly rolled Turkish pide ($19) is always a good idea, paired with a "Bodrum" salad of ezine cheese, kalamata olives and simit crisps ($28).

This Mediterranean fusion reflects Bodrum's proximity to Greece (the beautiful Greek Island of Kos is visible from the property).

Return to Michelin-starred restaurant Kitchen for four courses for $125 per person at night. The terrific theatre of a mobile bread cart — which is wheeled to your table with four pieces of bread to choose from and three blends of olive oil, all made from olives grown within the property's walls — is complimentary.

All dishes prove worthy of their Michelin star, particularly the appetizer of local sea bream tartare with Adana black caviar and the entree of lamb saddle with firik bulghur, cherry and lamb jus.

Amenities and service

Start your day on the right note with the fully equipped indoor beach-side fitness center open 24 hours daily. Trainers are on hand for personalized advice, or you can try your hand in the Pilates studio and indoor cycling studio.

For those guests who would rather a trained professional do the hard work, the Bodrum Edition has an on-site spa with eight treatment rooms, including a traditional yet minimal Turkish hammam offering ancient Ottoman body treatments to remove dead skin cells with a "kese" glove followed by an aromatic essence foam cloud massage.

Halfway down the property from the lobby to the beach, stop by the beautiful infinity pool. Staff will spring to action to lay down two towels for each guest to ensure you'll quickly dry off after a plunge in the cool, clear waters.

Cool down further by ordering a cocktail like a spicy margarita with a Tajin rim (try it with smoky mezcal rather than tequila for an extra kick, $17) or the delicious Turkish iced coffee topped with dried coconut flakes and cocoa nibs and served in a cute wooden cup ($9).

The attention to detail of the poolside service here is impressive, even to a seasoned traveler. If your sunglasses have as much as a thumbprint smudge on them, expect the eagle-eyed staff to offer a complimentary poolside sunglass cleaning service while you peruse the menu to select your next drink.

A few flights of stairs down to the beach, it's a similar story. An army of smiling, sophisticated hospitality professionals is on hand to ensure you don't have to lift a finger to prepare your perfect beach setup before you've even had time to disrobe. Guests can choose between the beach or, if sand is not your jam, the spotless wooden deck, which is also available for tan topping-up purposes.

The startlingly clear waters gently lap against the soft white sand at one of the Turkish Riviera's best beaches, ideal for kids to play in the safe and shallow waters.

Out and about

The Turkish Riviera already has a rich culture steeped in ancient history — Bodrum was once the site of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

A short taxi ride away is the Yalikavak Marina (also known as Palmarina), an award-winning luxury marina. It is a hub for Below-Deck-Level superyachts and offers upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment. It's also a great spot for people-watching and enjoying a sophisticated ambience, but prepare for steep menu prices on the wide range of food and drinks.

Yalikavak's weekly market (held every Thursday) is famous for fresh local produce, spices, textiles and handmade crafts. Near Yalikavak, you can explore ancient ruins, like the windmills on the hills surrounding the town or other historical landmarks around the Bodrum Peninsula. Remember a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water under the baking sunshine.

Accessibility

The property is spread across a dozen different levels, and many flights of stairs connect the top-floor lobby with the bottom-floor beach, gym and Morena restaurant. Even those with good fitness may find the walk up the various flights of stairs tough in the blazing heat of a southern European summer.

Fortunately, a fleet of house golf carts is available for guests to use at any time. Handy call buttons are dotted around the pathways, and guests can press them to be whisked away within minutes.

Checking out

The Bodrum Edition proves to be the ideal brand for the Turkish Riviera's lofty ambitions to become the next European playground for the rich and famous. As one of the region's premier accommodation outlets, the attention to detail to ensure every guest is treated like family is impressive. Room rates can be steep in summer so Bonvoy point redemptions can be a wise investment.

Even if your vacation doesn't include a superyacht or helicopter, a stay at this spectacular property allows you to live the summer high life in one of the most beautiful locations in Southern Europe.

Related reading:

• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• The best Edition hotels in the world, according to Marriott Bonvoy loyalists
• Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• Best hotel credit cards
• 5 reasons to strive for Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status