Exploring Türkiye’s Most Opulent New Resort

The Dinogo Perspective

With its seemingly infinite Aegean shoreline, crystal-clear bays, and party-goers flitting from one trendy location to another, the Bodrum peninsula has earned the titles of the St. Tropez or Ibiza of the Aegean Sea. The hotel boom here began a decade ago with the Mandarin Oriental, soon followed by sleek brands like Aman, Six Senses, and Edition. Reports suggest that Four Seasons and Bulgari are on the way. However, none may rival the bold design and stunning setting of Maxx Royal Bodrum, which opened in May 2024 along the peninsula's northern coast. This eco-conscious retreat features 282 suites and villas and represents a new era for the beloved local Maxx Royal brand, renowned for its opulent all-inclusive resorts across the country, with plans for a Maldives expansion in the pipeline.

Anticipating the grand opening buzz from Istanbul’s elite, I expected something lavish and extravagant. However, my partner and I were greeted by an expansive minimalist atrium lobby, highlighted by a massive digital mural of mesmerizing aquatic patterns created by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol. It felt as though we had arrived at a contemporary art museum, with female staff members clad in chic custom Beymen dresses that looked ready for a fashion shoot.

On the open-air terrace, we enjoyed our welcome proseccos while admiring the beautifully landscaped tiered pools below and the expansive bay beyond, framed by the gentle hills of the distant coastline. Monumental abstract sculptures by pioneering French artist Bernar Venet, part of the hotel's impressive art collection, stood like guardians on the headlands. The low-rise guest accommodations, designed by Turkish architect Mahmut Anlar, cascade down toward the water, exuding a Med-Scandinavian Zen aesthetic: horizontal lines, warm wood, glass, and gray stone amidst a backdrop of olive trees, pines, flowering shrubs, and vibrant pink bougainvillea. The ambiance was incredibly cool and tranquil, punctuated only by the occasional roar of Ferraris arriving at the entrance.

Maxx Royal is designed with glamorous Turkish and international sun-lovers in mind—just take a look at the Dior bags on the beach, the visiting yachts, and yes, the Ferraris. The hotel has teamed up with Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, Parisian Caviar Kaspia, and the Soho House-owned Scorpios beach club, a Mykonos hotspot favored by jet-setters, among other elite venues. The property boasts six pools, numerous bars, eight restaurants, and a wellbeing center of truly monumental scale. The main highlight is the secluded bay perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Relax on the sandy beach or claim a lounge chair on the wooden decks, which provide direct access to the impossibly turquoise waters.

Who is it suited for?

Party enthusiasts will love the exclusive access to the Scorpios beach club, complete with oversized daybeds, bamboo cabanas, lively house music, and electrifying nights filled with dancing and cocktails, all led by international celebrity DJs. Couples in love will find happiness watching technicolor sunsets from panoramic restaurants or their own private balconies, while solo travelers will appreciate the welcoming nature of the staff. Food aficionados can indulge in the renowned offerings from celebrity chef establishments. Fitness enthusiasts can work off their meals on the tennis court or in the state-of-the-art fitness center.

Although the atmosphere is geared towards adults, families are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries here, thanks to the incredible Maxxi Land kids’ club, which stays open late and features distinct zones for various age groups. This brilliantly designed playground allows parents to drop off their kids for the day, where they can enjoy a cinema room, theatrical performances, an extensive costume closet, and workshops covering topics from butterflies to marine life. Little ones also have access to napping cots complete with a soothing sleep playlist.

Location Overview

The resort is located a 50-minute drive from Milas–Bodrum Airport, which offers several short daily flights from Istanbul. Once you settle in, you might find it hard to leave, but for those who seek adventure, there are plenty of local attractions. Just a short drive away, you can mingle with sun-kissed locals in the charming village of Türkbükü, where you can explore trendy jewelry and beachwear shops. A 30-minute ride to the west brings you to the glamorous Yalıkavak Marina, featuring superyachts, Prada and Gucci boutiques, and flashy outposts of Zuma and Bagatelle. Bodrum Town, approximately 12 miles south of the resort, is home to a picturesque harbor, vibrant bazaars, the 15th-century Castle of the Knights of St. John, the evocative ancient ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, and a lively nightlife scene. For exceptional modern Aegean cuisine, visit the Michelin-starred Ayla at the nearby Maçakızı hotel, a favorite among celebrities like Kate Moss. Alternatively, enjoy a delightful Greek meal of meze and fresh fish right by the water at Paraliaki in the new boutique hotel Bobo by the Stay, also nearby.

Accommodations

Crafted by the stylish Turkish design firm Geo_ID, the 282 suites and villas feature natural tones and elegant slatted wood paneling, designed to blend seamlessly with the Mediterranean vegetation outside. Expansive windows, generous balconies, and private patios provide stunning views of the Aegean Sea. The accommodations come in various layouts across the resort's diverse landscapes. They range from entry-level suites—spanning 775 sq ft, still larger than most one-bedroom apartments in New York—to the grand 11,442-square-foot Presidential Villa, which includes five bedrooms, a private saltwater pool, a steam room, and a fitness center. It’s wise to book early for the coveted Laguna Series, which offers studios to three-bedroom options, all overlooking a beautifully landscaped saltwater pool. Also in high demand are the spacious Hill Villas, most featuring their own private swimming pools and sweeping views of the deep blue sea and distant shores.

Our Royal Sea suite boasted an impressive 1,500 square feet, featuring an open-plan living area adorned with two deep tangerine-hued couches that could easily accommodate a small family, along with a roomy balcony (where I kept locking myself out until I figured out how the sliding door operated). The plush Yataş brand bed in the bedroom provided restful nights (once we figured out how to turn off all the lights). I appreciated the exquisite handcrafted tiles and striking green marble sinks in the bathroom, which was stocked with fragrant Diptyque toiletries. In addition to the standard pillow and fragrance menus and in-room control tablets, amenities included a chic waterproof beach bag (for those who may not have that essential Dior tote).

Dining and Beverages

With eight restaurants, six bars, a pastry boutique, and a trendy ice cream parlor, there’s truly no reason to leave the property for exciting dining options. While we couldn't splurge on the beluga caviar at Caviar Kaspia—an extension of the century-old Parisian institution—we did treat ourselves to the famed smoked salmon pizza topped with caviar at Spago, where Wolfgang Puck and his son Byron, who happened to be there, shared the story of its creation. Sitting on a deck that seemed to float on the water, cocktail named Austrian Summer in hand, I was reminded of why the world fell in love with Spago’s classic sesame cones filled with tuna tartare and that sizzling whole sea bass glazed in a sweet-sour pineapple sauce.

I was equally impressed by the modern Italian cuisine at Oro restaurant, helmed by the one-Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo from Turin. Standout dishes included an ethereal deconstructed eggplant parmigiana and the classic Piedmontese ravioli del plin. For our late morning breakfast after a swim, we always opted for a table under a shady tree at the Latin-inspired beachside Casa Sol. It was delightful to pair traditional Turkish briny cheese and sun-ripened tomatoes with huevos rancheros, and the corn tostadas and empanadas from the beach menu were perfect for enjoying in the afternoon sun.

My personal favorite was Le Pont restaurant, an upscale take on a traditional fish eatery with waterfront views. It offered a quintessential Aegean experience with a meze platter that included garlicky dips and zucchini flower dolma, delicate fried mussels, and expertly grilled turbot and sea bream sourced from the daily catch on display, glistening on ice.

Staff and Service

Considering the extensive scale of the resort and the potentially overwhelming logistics, I found the service to be remarkably smooth and professional, yet always radiating a friendly, personal touch. Our dedicated concierges were constantly available through the MaxxRoyal app, diligently arranging buggies to take us to the beach or dinner, sending over spa and restaurant menus, securing reservations, and helping us navigate the high-tech in-room controls. It was also a joy to connect with the Nigerian buggy driver, the Azeri beach attendant, the Italian bar manager, and the Kazakh server—all of whom had their own unique stories and spoke multiple languages. While a beach attendant coming by to clean our sunglasses felt a bit excessive, it seemed to be what the Russian and Turkish oligarch clientele expected.

Accessibility Features

The resort offers four ADA-compliant guest rooms, along with ramps for accessing the pool from the area that includes the main Twenty4 restaurant, patisserie, and bar. Elevators are provided in the various buildings. While many public spaces are flat and do not require ramps, the hotel is built into a hillside, which might still pose challenges for mobility. Transportation is primarily via buggies, which are not wheelchair-accessible.

Spa and Wellness Facilities

Spanning an impressive 5,750 square meters, the Maxx Wellbeing Centre overlooks both the gardens and the sea, feeling more like a grand modernist sanctuary dedicated to health and wellness than a typical spa. On the ground floor, you’ll find an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness studio, a variety of exotic saunas, a Himalayan salt room, and a deep Kneipp Walk. The contemporary marbled hammam offered a sea-salt essential oil exfoliating scrub that left my skin incredibly soft. On the first floor, renowned Turkish health expert Dr. Buğra Öktem manages a Longevity Clinic, where he may suggest treatments like an Ayurvedic detox or rejuvenating IV infusions.

Upstairs, 21 tranquil treatment rooms are equipped with brands such as Biologique Recherche, Swiss Perfection, and Santa Maria Novella. Massage options include hot stone therapy and Polynesian Lomilomi, while high-tech services like body sculpting with icoone®, LED treatments, or rejuvenating mesotherapy are also available. If you find yourself yearning for a Zerobody cryotherapy bed, a halotherapy room for breathing salty air, an ozone sauna, or a sensory deprivation flotation tank, head directly to the medi-spa section. For those looking for a comprehensive wellness journey, several packages ranging from 3 to 7 days are available, focusing on everything from yoga to muscle recovery.