Writer: Maya Khoury

The Amanruya in Bodrum is a fabulous village-like resort and Adrian Zecha's third regional property after the Chedi in Oman and the Amanjena in Morocco. This hidden sanctuary is well-worth a visit.

There are few lifestyle experiences more unique or memorable than a stay at an Aman resort. The elegant, stylish hotels never have more than 50 keys, each location is unique, the architecture is always in keeping with its surroundings, and the service is beyond comparison. In fact, Amans are so incredible that guests, who are nearly always repeat customers (sometimes known as Amanjunkies) rarely tell their friends for fear their secret haven suffers a mass invasion by the madding crowd.

Well, now that you’re in the know, you should also be aware of the fact that Aman has recently opened its 24th location. It’s called Amanruya and it’s set on a tiered hillside overlooking the Mediterranean on Turkey's Bodrum Peninsula. The 36 private stone cottages are hidden in a pine forest and ancient olive groves. Each has its own garden, swimming pool, traditional Turkish fireplace, four-poster bed, expansive bathroom, as well as heated marble floors covered by Turkish rugs. 

If you’re in the mood for some more privacy but away from your isolated sanctuary, then follow the winding path that connects all the villas to the secluded pebble beach. Don’t mind seeing other people? Head to the common buildings adjacent to the 50-metre marble swimming pool, where there’s a three-storey library, an art gallery and a boutique. 

As with all Amans you can detox at the superlative spa or brush up your game with free lessons at the resort’s tennis courts. The dining pavilions, of which there are four, are scattered throughout the property and they focus on Turkish, Asian, and Continental cuisine.

To say Amanruya is sublime is an understatement. Adrian Zecha, the founder and executive chairman of Amanresorts once tried to explain to Bespoke the secret behind Aman’s enviable knack for location-spotting. “It’s difficult to articulate why I might find one site suitable and another not,” he said after some thought, “it’s basically gut instinct.” Now 78 years of age and still going strong, Zecha’s gut is one of the few things in today’s world we can still trust to deliver.