I’ve always dreamed of taking my mum on holiday. I guess in the same way rappers vow to buy their mum a house when they make it big. As you get older, you realise how much your mum has done for you, and how much she gave up. In the space of a few years, you go from being a moody teen who still needs a lot done for them to a mini adult who’s flown the nest and calls home less than they should. There aren’t many ways you can repay the debt you owe your parents, but taking my mum to stay at the Bayou Villas at Lara Barut felt like a very luxurious start.
The Lara Barut Collection is an all-inclusive beachfront resort nestled along the coast of Antalya, Turkey, and within the resort sit the beautifully secluded Bayou Villas, an elevated retreat tucked away inside it all. When we arrived at the hotel, after a speedy check-in at the villas’ private reception, we were shown to our two-bedroom villa. Whoever said the room doesn’t matter on holiday has clearly never stayed at the Bayou Villas.
Courtesy of Bayou Villas Delice Peninsula
Like something straight out of Selling Sunset, these villas feel like mini-mansions and epitomise modern luxury. Split across three floors, we stepped across the underfloor-heating into a bright, spacious hallway and living area, where a bottle of quietly chilling champagne awaited us alongside delicious local treats. The living space felt light and airy thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors, which opened straight out onto an outdoor dining area complete with a sofa and fire pit. Once you step past the dappled sunlight cast by the sunshade, you can fully appreciate the two huge private pools, one saltwater and one freshwater, that are yours for the entire stay.
The wraparound freshwater pool was the real gem of the property for me. The whole area is landscaped to perfection, and you instantly feel immersed in nature. The foliage has a bright, tropical feel, while the scent of jasmine sweeps through the veranda whenever a breeze moves through the garden. The planting also provides complete privacy, making it easy to fully unwind, whether that’s falling asleep in the sunshine or doing wobbly handstands in the pool for your mum to watch.