Hillside Beach Club Hotel, Turkey – The Review

Set within the secluded hills near Fetihye, Turkey, sits an absolute gem of a hotel and a stunning resort – the Hillside Beach Club Hotel. Now, I`ve been to this area many times and have never come across this hotel, and let me tell you now, it was an absolute pleasure to visit.

After a slightly hair-raising trip along the cliff-side road and after passing through the rigorous hotel security, the hotel finally comes into view and it is a real treat for the eyes. From the top of the hills you can see hotel`s 3 idyllic private beaches, tennis courts, swimming pool, gorgeous sweeping bay and some of the clearest sea water that you may ever come across. In short, it`s stunning. But, it doesn`t stop there and the treats just kept on coming!

Upon checking into our stunning sea view room and taking a seat on the balcony, we felt instantly relaxed and at home. The accommodation is arranged around the bay and really makes the most of the scenery on offer. Our view was one of the best that I have ever experienced at a hotel and it made for a fabulous backdrop to our stay.

The dining situation at the Hillside is a smart one; all guests are signed up to the `Full Board Plus` option, which means that you gain access to the main restaurant`s stunning buffet at breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as complimentary soft drinks, wine and beer. The selection of food at the main restaurant would keep even the greediest eater happy for a LONG time. Ranging from local dishes, such as Baklava, to the less local handmade pizza (baked on site in a clay oven), the food options on offer are vast and of great quality. There is also a feast of fresh fruit, salads, freshly baked bread and freshly made deserts on offer.

In addition to this main restaurant, you can also enjoy food at no extra fee in the hotel`s two remaining restaurants; one a Mediterranean a la carte offering called Pasha and the other is a more relaxed Italian style buffet. We found Pasha (pictured below) to be a great alternative to the hub bub of the main restaurant and its idyllic setting made it just that little bit more special. In short, you will never go hungry at the Hillside Beach Club, as there is food for all occasions and all times of the day. You can even indulge in a Turkish afternoon tea on the beach, if you so wish! The only extra at these two restaurants and at the hotel`s bars, is the purchasing of drinks and alcohol, which won`t set you back too much and is reasonably priced.

Are you looking for complete relaxation?

Well if you are then the Hillside has two stunning private beaches for your pleasure; Serenity beach and Silent Beach. The Serenity is a child free private beach, which can be reached either by walking through the hills or using the complimentary boat service. Silent beach takes this idea of stillness a little further and bans visitors from using mobiles and from taking too much noise. Some may feel that this is a little draconian, but for me it was great touch and made my visit to Silent Beach a real treat. Having the options of these two beaches makes it really easy for adults to achieve a feeling of stillness and peace. Also, thanks to the hotels great kids club, it offers parents the chance to enjoy some alone time and unwind during their stay. In short, these little beaches are real gems and sit neatly within the Hillside`s majestic landscape.

There are also two wonderful spa options available at the Hillside Beach club, making a haven for those looking to be pampered and preened. Firstly, there is the Sanda Spa, which includes a beautiful Jacuzzi, sauna and a traditional Turkish bath. To have all of this included in the price is absolutely stunning value and yet another layer of luxury to the stay. Additionally, you can pay for treatments such as massages, Turkish Hamams and full body scrubs here.

However, it is the other spa offering, the Sanda Nature Spa, that is an utter triumph. Set within the hills of the hotel`s surroundings and amongst the trees, are an array of serene tree top treatment rooms. The ambiance and mood of the Nature Spa instantly immerses you in a feeling of tranquillity and relaxation. We were lucky enough to try one of their Traditional Balinese massages, which utilises pressure and aroma to give the body a complete rejuvenation. Before the massage, we were treated to a gorgeous foot scrub within one of the tree top rooms and it was just perfect. My partner, who by the way is a regular spa connoisseur and loves a massage, described the whole experience here as one of the best she has ever had, if not the best. To be honest, I would have to agree. Furthermore, the masseurs were impeccable, friendly and charming. This was a real highlight for us.

Or, are you feeling sporty and adventurous?

The Hillside is a haven for the adrenalin and thrill seeking. They offer every kind of water sport you can image, including, parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing and much, much more. In fact, the Hillside has Turkey`s first ever water-ski and wakeboarding schools, and is under the control of the infamous Don Buffa. The array of motor water sports, sailing and diving available is completely comprehensive – making it impossible for anyone to not find something that they enjoy.

On site, there is a really helpful service called `Hillside, Outside`, and this offers an array of activities that will keep the more active visitor busy and content. There is a vast selection of trips available, ranging from Island boat tours, to Jeep safaris to cultural excursions. Having this within the resort makes booking a trip a real breeze and I would highly recommend taking one of these during your stay here.

I`ve resisted calling the Hillside beach Club Hotel a `Turkish Delight`, as this level of cliché is not particularly healthy for anyone, but it really is a delight to stay at such a pleasant resort. The hotel is a gleaming example of how a five star hotel should be; it epitomises the values of luxury and high quality and then adds a frisson of Turkish style and excitement. There is so much to tell you about the Hillside, but I have tried to tell you about all of my personal highlights and my favourite parts of the experience. I strongly encourage you to make a visit to the Hillside Beach Club and discover for yourself how fantastic it really is.

What a trip and what an experience – thank you Hillside. P.S. my bags are always ready if you would like to invite me back for a second visit.

The Hillside Beach Club is a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection. Rooms start from £162. For more information or to book, please visit here or call +44 (0) 20 7380 3658.