D Maris Bay, Datça Peninsula, Turkey

Cuddling up to an unspoilt stretch of coastline on the Turkish Riviera, D Maris Bay’s brutalist grey exterior appears hazy thanks to the scorching summer heat as we drive up the secluded – 5km-long – path. Clinging to a dazzling bay surrounded by soaring volcanic mountains and valleys dotted with pine and almond trees, the stark exterior of this Aegean Sea-gazing property is at odds with the sumptuous interiors awaiting inside – sleek marble, lots of dark wood, modern Turkish art and Zen-invoking water features. Yet, despite the strange looks – stranger still given the strict planning permissions in place on this particular part of the Datça Peninsula – once you catch a glimpse of those stop-what-you're-doing bay views offered from within, any architectural concerns vanish.

And so they should. What awaits at D Maris Bay is a plethora of beaches (five), restaurants (five) and enough amenities and activities that your GCal would be full if you tried to squeeze everything into a month-long stay. The property manages to offer all of the necessities, creature comforts (read: seriously good spa) and globetrotting array of culinary delights of a sprawling all-inclusive resort, while still retaining the intimacy of a boutique hotel.

If you mixed the energy of Dubai with wallpaper-worthy views and the peaceful serenity of the Maldives, you’d get close to describing the hotel’s vibe

Guests, a mixture of gorgeously bronzed couples, well-heeled families – there’s a top-notch kids club, babysitters and dedicated kiddies pools – and squads of friends celebrating big birthdays (on our first night, we joined a 50th birthday party crew in some enthusiastic Greek plate smashing and table dancing).

With outposts of Japanese “It” restaurant Zuma and St Barts beach club hotspot La Guérite, speedboats to shuttle you between beaches, and buttons on sun loungers with which to summon champagne, it’s easy to fall into hedonistic holiday habits here. Yet, with the sumptuous spa, alpine-esque funicular to take you to one of (the five) beaches and a dedicated no-phones “silent” beach, D Maris Bay isn’t all excess: there’s a sense of relaxation at play, too. Party or pamper – you can enjoy both.

It’s hard to pinpoint something that we might compare this unique Turkish Riviera hotel to. Maybe if you mixed the energy of Dubai with wallpaper-worthy views and the peaceful serenity of the Maldives, you’d get close to describing its vibe. Yes, it’s technically a resort on steroids, but it’s one that comes with the freedom to do absolutely anything you please, all while being underpinned by exceptional service and a whisper of quiet luxury. It’s an intoxicating combination.

Rooms at D Maris Bay blend contemporary style with touches of Turkish craftsmanship

Rooms

Mixing indulgence with comfort, each of the 195 rooms and suites – most overlooking both the rugged mountainous landscape and the pistachio-coloured parasols that punctuate the beaches below – are complemented by touches of Turkish craftsmanship. Whether you're taking in the endless expanse of the sea or the lush gardens, every space exudes a sense of understated luxury. Some rooms have a hot tub room with a window stretching out to the bay; others, room-length balconies. For families, there’s also a two-bedroom villa that comes with its own butler and private pool.

What’s for breakfast?

A cornucopia of pastries, just-squeezed smoothies, local delicacies, perfectly fluffy omelettes, charcuterie, fresh fruit and baked-that-morning breads. A Fortnum & Mason of breakfast buffets.

Five hotel restaurants offer dishes from across the globe

What about lunch and dinner?

Prepare for a global taste-tour as each of the five (technically six if, like us, you count the ice cream parlour) restaurants specialises in something different. You’ve got lively Zuma, famed for its black cod and having bougie outposts everywhere from Mykonos to Mayfair; Manos, a version of a Greek tavern where aforementioned plate smashing is obligatory past 10pm; Rüya, which plates up Turkish mezes and some of the most delicious octopus we’ve ever eaten; an outpost of Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et, and La Guérite, a chichi beach club that also boasts outposts in St Barts and Cannes.

All of them offer unmatched vibes and amp up D Maris Bay’s playful side: expect anything from saxophonists, DJs and fire breathers to bongo drums and buzzy playlists livening up your dinner dates.

Is there a bar?

Several. Our favourite place to perch for sundowners was to the right of Salt Bae’s restaurant, where a wooden pier leads to a quiet, bohemian-style bar with an epic tequila selection and waterfront views.

The view from Green Hill of the edenic Turkish Riviera at sunset

Amenities

Where do you want to start? Wellness or watersports? Active or chilled? And did we mention the five (five!) white-sand beaches? Our favourite is the Detox beach, which operates a no-phone, music or under-12s policy. You’ve also got indoor pools, outdoor pools, a sprawling spa equipped with 10 treatment rooms, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam, gym, open-air yoga studio, helipads and a running track that loops around the grounds.

If you’re looking for a little action, check out the waterskiing, paddleboarding, boat trips, kayaks and snorkelling, plus the funky amphibian plane that tours the mountains. There are tennis courts, boules sand pits and plenty of sunloungers spread across the property, too.

Feeling overwhelmed? Head to Green Hill – just outside the spa – for champagne and classical music at sunset. It offers one of the best views of the bay.

What are the hotel’s eco-credentials like?

Although there’s no single-use plastic in evidence, and reminders about towel use and plenty of local produce used in the kitchen, there is still room for improvement. For example, we’d like to see the petrol-fuelled shuttle boats upgraded for solar-charged versions.

Elsewhere on the site, guests will find five beaches, five restaurants, a wellness emporium and a food hall

What about accessibility?

Some of the ground-floor rooms offer wheelchair access and have adapted bathrooms.

What’s the crowd like?

Thanks to the wealth of activities on offer, this is a popular spot for affluent families dressed head to toe in matching Pucci swimwear. We also met groups of friends celebrating big birthdays, plenty of couples and one or two solo travellers on heavy-on-the-relaxation self-proclaimed retreats. Overall, the crowd skews slightly older, though – probably because of the price.

Within a short walk I can find…

The five beaches, five restaurants, shuttle boats, wellness emporium and Harrods-esque food hall.

Things I should know…

D Maris Bay’s sister hotel, D Resort Göcek, is a more intimate, boutique property situated in the sleepy town of Göcek, just past Dalaman. It flies completely under-the-radar except for a few in-the-know, well-heeled European travellers who come here for its serene, Med-like feel. We’d recommend a twin break, with a week at both, for a proper reset.