This Bodrum resort ruined every other hotel for me – it’s that good

Following a fresh, fruity mocktail, we were taken by buggy (there is no need to walk anywhere here, should you not want to) to our bedroom. To be honest, the word “bedroom” feels like I’m doing the space a disservice. It was an apartment, really, or “Mandarin Junior Suite” to be precise, one of more than 30 room and villa types at the hotel.

It was huge – even the standard double rooms are, I hear – with an open plan walk-in wardrobe which wrapped around the back of the living space and took you directly past a toilet and rainfall shower to a beautiful, marble bathroom. A bathroom which boasted a double sink area, great lighting, and a bathroom which has a large, free-standing bath aside patio doors that take you directly out to the garden.

Back in the bedroom, there was a sofa, a spread of sweet treats to welcome us (plus Champagne, wonderfully), the largest bed I’ve probably ever seen and a dining table for in-room feasts. All rooms of this type also have private outdoor plunge pools and outdoor showers, located on the terrace. Truly? The best hotel room I’ve ever stepped foot in.

My bathroom at Mandarin Oriental Bodrum.

GEORGE APOSTOLIDIS

Following a beautiful, shore-side lunch at one of the property’s many, many restaurants (more on that later), we were introduced to our butler for the week. Very lovely, of course; if slightly unnecessary for two people who were really just happy to be there. Said butler kindly booked us into – and drove us to – the newly-built on-site padel courts, which was such a way to spend an hour. Highly recommend for anyone else crazy enough to actually want to play sports on holiday.

Our days spent at Mandarin Oriental all looked pretty similar: we’d hop on and off the aforementioned buggies to visit the beaches, the water-sports centre, the tennis courts and the spa. We considered yoga, though ended up lying in, but did make it down to the second-to-none spa and indoor swimming pool a good number of times.