From an unobtrusive, nature-amplifying design to private sandy beaches and a bespoke menu of local experiences, Six Senses Kaplankaya is redefining Turkish tranquillity

Discreetly located on a cypress and olive tree-flanked hillside, Six Senses Kaplankaya (just an hour’s drive north of Bodrum airport) cascades into calm coves that caress the shimmering sea. Part of InterContinental Hotel Group’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, the three-hectare resort is a village in itself, with three private beaches, one of Europe’s largest spas and the best of local, Mediterranean and Pan-Asian dining. And that’s only the start… 

Dreamy design
With earthy tones, floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the peacock-coloured Aegean, Six Senses’ rooms, suites and villas are all about an understated elegance that mirrors the natural landscape beyond. There’s thoughtful tech, too, including mood lighting, spacious touch-smart showers and a bedside iPad for ordering room service and booking experiences. Electronic blackout blinds make for the serenest snooze, as do cloudlike beds and the blissfully relaxing, ocean-facing baths. 

Don’t miss
For ritzy repose, opt for a villa with from three to seven bedrooms. All feature terraces of more than 200sqm with private infinity pools. The resort’s two glittering main outdoor pools also deserve a special mention. 

Beachside bliss  
Borders of pines and wildflowers snake down to sundecks built into craggy coves, and there are ladders for those seeking a refreshing, scenic dip. There are three smooth sandy beaches – exclusively for resort guests – including a dedicated one for families, plus plenty of water sports, whether you’d prefer serene pastimes such as paddleboarding and canoeing or adrenaline-fuelled activities from waterskiing to windsurfing. Tip: the beachside bonfire is perfect for post-action relaxation. 

Don’t miss 
Head to nearby Panayır Island, known for its divine diving, or explore the mesmerising Aegean Sea by speedboat with a guide, stopping for a picnic in a hidden bay.

Spa splendour 
One of the stars of the show is the 10,000sqm two-storey spa, the most remarkable in the wellness-focused Six Senses collection, and one of the largest in Europe. The spa team includes everyone from doctors to dieticians and yoga masters offering private sessions in a picturesque pavilion, or you can go solo with self-care with Finnish saunas, crystal steam rooms, Himalayan salt rooms and a Turkish hammam (the 38 treatment rooms also offer some much-deserved pampering). 

Don’t miss 
The pioneering Six Senses’ Watsu pool (aka meditative aquatic therapy). Or for more conventional chilling, the meditation cave, complete with sensory lighting and floor cushions.

Dazzling dining 
With four gourmet hotspots to choose from, this resort will have you in restaurant raptures. For a traditional, five-star Turkish breakfast, Sage & Sea has excellent menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers and spices), plus a variety of foodie stations, from one devoted to olives to another with traditional flatbreads, kneaded right before your eyes. Lunch’s top contenders are Ortakoy Beach Bar and the Family Beach Bar, offering grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas and generous salads featuring seasonal vegetables from the organic garden. The more upscale pan-Asian Wild Thyme also impresses with stunning sushi, gyoza and curries.

Don’t miss 
A romantic date night at Meze by the Sea, set in a garden terrace and serving gorgeous grilled fish with a side of sunset views. 

Local experiences 
Take a guided hike or bike ride along the rugged coastline, travelling past olive groves, conical cypress trees and oleander shrubs, their pale pink and scarlet flowers bopping in the breeze. Continue the wellness wanderlust at Alchemy Bar, whose wholesome beauty workshop begins with plucking fresh herbs, spices and fruits from Six Senses’ organic garden to make your own personalised, natural cosmetics. There are also immersive cooking workshops led by expert chefs, and there’s the Slow Food Project (on the 15th of every month), where you can visit local farms and producers with the resort’s brilliant culinary minds, sampling of-the-land dishes and wines. 

Don’t miss 
Join a private guide to see the ancient city of Ephesus – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best-preserved archaeological sites from the Graeco-Roman period.

All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and include a generous baggage allowance and a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2025 holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/six-senses and enjoy flexible payments until you fly.*

*Full balance due four weeks before departure for short-haul holidays. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply. See ba.com/deposits.

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