The perfect complement to its natural setting, Amanruya has the intimate and tranquil ambience of an Ottoman village. An entrance driveway meanders through a pine forest before revealing a first glimpse of the resort – a graceful collection of pavilions inspired by the region’s traditional Anatolian architecture, which blends traditional stone buildings with lush gardens. The resort’s olive groves and forest slope down, giving way to its sun-kissed private pebble beach, whilst charming courtyards and terraces enhance the village feel and provide a changing vista of the sea at every level. Local materials including stone, terracotta, acajau wood and Turkish marble in neutral hues make for an almost ethereal feel, most evident in the evenings as the Aegean sun sets turning the walls a blush shade of pink.
Amanruya’s accommodation is comprised of just 36 contemporary stone pavilions positioned amongst terraced gardens scented by thyme and shaded by olive trees. True to the Aman design philosophy which emphasises generosity of space, all pavilions are spacious and free standing, featuring white marble floors, high mahogany ceilings and white Mugla, hammam-style bathrooms with skylights.
Ottoman influences include the Bursa arches joining bedrooms and bathrooms, exposed-beam ceilings and Turkish charcoal fireplaces to warm rooms and terraces in cooler months. Guests are further indulged as each pavilion boasts its own infinity edge swimming pool crafted from diabaz granite, complemented by a private covered pergola lounge and dining area, providing a truly harmonious environment for relaxation. Outdoor showers complete the offering.
Offering a real sense of escapism is Amanruya’s secluded Beach Club. Overlooking its own private bay, the Beach Club is an idyllic spot consisting of a series of intimate nooks and terraces artfully positioned amongst well-established trees, decorated with Ottoman divan lounge beds. The wooden jetty is the perfect base from which to dive into the refreshing salt waters. The ideal location to take in the perfectly still sea, dramatic sunsets and heart-stirringly starry skies, the Beach Club has fast become a favourite spot owing to its calming and tranquil atmosphere. A beach side restaurant is nestled amongst the trees of the club, and serves freshly caught grilled fish, refreshing salads and Turkish mezze.
The resort’s facilities are housed in free-standing stone structures with breathtaking sea and forest views. They include the three-storey Library with an intimate top floor lounge, a Dining Pavilions, a Wine and Cigar Lounge, and an Art Gallery that displays works from local artists. The pièce de résistance, is the 50-metre infinity pool, which lies at the heart of the resort. Beautifully crafted from green and turquoise marble sourced from Antalya, it merges into the shimmering azure waters of the Aegean Sea that lies just beyond, giving guests the illusion that they are swimming straight from the pool into the warmth of the open waters.
Amanruya provides an extensive array of unique cultural and gourmet experiences and a range of excursions to the wealth of classical sites in the region. These include the ancient ruined cities of Didyma with its towering Temple of Apollo, Priene and its 5,000-seat theatre and Ephesus with its magnificent Gate of Hercules. The region also offers natural distractions including winding trails for hiking, mountain biking or horse riding, and beautiful beaches and forest glades ideal for picnics. Boating and other water sports can be enjoyed throughout the summer months, and a nearby golf club offers avid golfers their fix. And of course, like everywhere in Turkey, shopping in and around Bodrum is quite an adventure, with dozens of shops lining the narrow streets.
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