D Maris Bay Review: An Aquatic Oasis on the Datça Peninsula

Nestled in a serene cove on the Datça Peninsula, is one of Turkey’s top hotels, D Maris Bay

The hotel offers complete seclusion with privacy beginning three miles before reaching the entrance. A densely wooded lane winds up around several hilltops giving glimpses of the bay and the far-reaching islands.

A two-hour drive from Dalaman airport, the journey takes in the picturesque rolling green hills that make the landscape so spectacular. For those who desire a sky view, there is the option of a helicopter journey which is far quicker but much more expensive.

The luxury resort is only a 40-minute drive from Marmaris, a bustling and popular city for tourists. The Turquoise Coast is not only renowned for its sandy beaches and clear blue waters, but also the ancient history that is embedded in the landscape and culture.

Stay

The hotel itself is located in a nature reserve, thus the design and style was sculpted to fit seamlessly into the unspoiled surroundings. There are 196 rooms in total, which include 36 suites and a luxurious villa.

The design is inspired by the hotel’s location on the peninsula and even has its own unique woody scent that greets guests as they enter the lobby. The rooms feature dark wood detailing and light beige tones that create a relaxing ambiance with stunning mountain and sea views to enjoy.

Smart room features give guests easy-to-use control of the lights and temperature via a touch panel by the door and the bed itself.

There are 17 different types of rooms. The Deluxe Sea View rooms each come with a separate luxury hot tub room that looks out over the turquoise bay that marks the boundary between the Aegean and Mediterranean.

For those wanting the ultimate luxury stay, D Maris Bay has a private Villa available. The 310-sqm villa has its own garden with a private patio and swimming pool. The garden, although private, offers beautiful views of the peninsula.

Keeping with the hotel’s modern design, the villa has two large guest bedrooms, each with a private bathroom that is decorated in Calacatta marble.

A 24-hour butler is also available to cater to guests in the villa’s Gaggenau kitchen and dining space.

Dine

With six unique restaurants to dine at, guests have an array of Turkish and international cuisines to choose from.

For breakfast, The Terrace is the place to be. Offering stunning sunrise views, guests are welcomed with a grand buffet, featuring a large selection of fruits, yogurts, fish, olives and also savory treats.

Bringing sweet and savory together, a breakfast favorite is gözleme (Turkish savory flatbread). The chefs will make this on the spot, filled with spinach, feta or lamb.

The hotel’s stellar lunch and dinner options are plentiful. Led by executive chef, Metin Nogay, the Maris Kitchen offers a great place for both lunch and dinner with different specials every day that showcase the beauty of Turkish cuisine. That being said, this restaurant also has a rotisserie, bistro and grill to meet the needs of guests looking for international dishes.

Another hotspot for lunch is La Guérite. Delivering Mediterranean and healthy dishes, La Guérite is the perfect place to enjoy lunch by the sea with cocktails created by one of the restaurants’ expert mixologists.

For dinner, Zuma comes highly recommended. The restaurant offers modern and authentic Japanese cuisine. Led by executive chef, Emrah Orak, the dishes are created in three different cooking styles; the main and sushi kitchen and the robata grill. Guests can watch as the chefs freshly prepare all the dishes.

Looking out towards the Aegean, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and share dishes with a group of friends.

Relax

In line with the warmth of Turkish hospitality, a focus on wellness is all around D Maris Bay. With five stunningly white sandy beaches to explore, guests can sit back and relax by the shores, taking in the sapphire-blue and mountain views.

To find complete peace of mind, head to the hotel’s renowned Mytha Spa to experience ‘Mytha moments’. Peaceful harmony of mind and body is brought to life with personalized treatments, massages and traditional Hammam rituals.

Bodyism plays a growing role in the hotel’s fitness focus. Designed to detoxify and rejuvenate, Bodyism classes are carefully crafted by expert trainers to restore the perfect energy balance. Immersed in the beauty of the natural surroundings, the workshops are run by specialists that come to the resort seasonally.

The concept of Bodyism is to improve the overall mind-set, taking a holistic approach to wellness to achieve healthy and happy lifestyles. The movement programs are tailored to meet the needs of each individual trying out a class.

Inspired by the philosophy, ‘Be kind to yourself’, Bodyism is a must-try at D Maris Bay.

Explore

Aquatic sport enthusiasts will be in heaven at D Maris Bay. The hotel’s prime coastline location is most popular for sailing and yachting.

Those eager to explore the bay and the myriad of inlets can sign up for kayak tours, windsurfing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, diving and much more.

To explore even more of the peninsula, guests can hire one of the hotel’s vessels for a longer sea excursion. The Ubi Bene sailing yacht is available for an overnight cruise with five ensuite cabins and a spacious sun deck to take in the views.

If staying on the ground is more preferable, there are top-quality tennis courts onsite with a team of trainers available for personal coaching. Mountain biking, running and hiking is a great way to explore the mountainous regions that surround the hotel. In line with its fitness theme, D Maris Bay is keen to get professionals on board to help.

Of course, the five private beaches are perfect for an afternoon of relaxing. Shuttle boats can ferry guests between each of them throughout the day. At Silence beach, the stresses of modern-day life are nowhere to be seen. While resting underneath a beach cabana, only nature will make a sound.

D Maris Bay is a hidden paradise where seclusion, peace and comfort await.

dmarisbay.com

Related: D-Resort Göcek Review: A diamond in the Med

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