Why Hillside Beach Club, Turkey, is one of the world's most highly rated hotels for sunshine escapes

Looking for a reliably great sunshine holiday that's impossible to fault? Hillside Beach Club in Turkey can boast the fact that 99% of its visitors would actively recommend the hotel to others.

In fact, so popular is this resort that Harvard Business School students conducted an in-depth research project to find out just what makes it such a unique place that has one of the highest repeat rates for guests in the world - 72%. The stats are impressive, but you don’t have to be here long to understand why. This is my second visit and I'm as enthralled as the first time I discovered it 5 years ago.

WHY VISIT GO TO THE HILLSIDE BEACH CLUB?

Private beach at the Hillside Beach Club

Set in a breathtakingly beautiful bay in the midst of an idyllic pine forest, this award-winning resort has the greatest of locations on a cliffside with three beaches in total. Throw in the impeccable service, excellent seasonal cuisine, and the staff's good-time vibes, and you have a winning combination.

That's before you even get to the huge array of water sports, award-winning Spa and endless sunshine. In fact, this place is so good that most years it's booked up back-to-back from April to November. But don't let that put you off. Book early or contact the hugely accommodating hotel reservations directly, as spots do come up for late bookings.

LOCATION

Hillside Beach Club is just four hours from the UK with daily flights to Dalaman Airport and a stunning 45-minute drive along the coast to the hotel. Located ten minutes from the stunning port city of Fethiye, the resort has 330 rooms built into a pine-tree-dotted mountain, with breathtaking views over a picturesque cove.

Set within 300 acres of lush grounds, it leads down to the secluded Kalemya Bay, featuring exquisite, clear blue water. There is plenty to do in the vicinity, which is home to ancient rock tombs, while nearby sites include the blue lagoon of Ölüdeniz and the famous abandoned village of Kayaköy.

THE VIBE

The atmosphere here is laid-back and relaxed, yet with five-star elegance and service. Because of its sheer size, this is a hotel that never feels full or like you’re on top of other guests, so there is a genuine sense of seclusion and calm as you wander around the resort.

Hillside is all-inclusive, but it feels so exclusive and luxurious, you'd never know it. Food is exactly what you would expect at a five-star resort, beautifully prepared with buffet and a la carte options across all seven restaurants, and most premium drinks are included. Most activities are also included.

THE FACILITIES

You could do something different here every day for seven days. Choose from three different beaches - one adult only, three restaurants and 8 bars. Couples can take advantage of one of the two secluded adult beaches (there are three beaches in total), a five-star spa and a fully equipped gym with a timetable of classes, or go off-site for guided hikes and bike rides. That's not to mention the comprehensive water sports centre offering everything from speedboat rides to water skiing, diving, and jet skiing.

Meanwhile, the calm, shallow bay and array of kids' activities make it equally suited to families, and with three different kids' clubs, every age is catered for from babies to teens. Children can choose from a long list of seamlessly organised sports clubs (think football academies and tennis coaching) and crafts (pottery and art classes) at one of the best organised kids club set-ups we’ve seen anywhere in the world, hands down. There are also music classes and fishing excursions.

WHAT'S ON?

The annual calendar of free activities for guests at Hillside Beach Club is impressive, but this year is extra special. It includes the famed bi-annual Feel-Good Weeks featuring a range of fitness and wellness classes between 9th-16th May and 4th-11th October, where you can enjoy an array of expert-led activities, such as sunrise yoga, Pilates, breathwork, and mindful art therapy. Into music? The Classical Music on the Sea event is on 7th August, when a world-class symphony orchestra will perform on the beautiful beachfront.

Later in the season, the internationally renowned London Jazz Festival returns with London Jazz in the Sun, bringing another year of exceptional performances. Families can also enjoy Hillside Beach Club’s popular partnership with the British Film Institute, promising unique filmmaking experiences and movie magic. Did I mention there is also a live evening show every night? These range from Disney musicals to live productions of sell-out shows such as Tina the musical.

THE ROOMS

Rooms are spacious and beautifully designed featuring stunning sea views and a sizable terrace overlooking the breathtaking bay. Kitted out with a range of signature beauty products, all are equipped with a fridge, coffee machine and slick minimalist interiors.

THE FOOD

When it comes to the food, while this is an all-inclusive property, it is far from the ‘pile it high’ buffet style. The restaurants offer a huge array of freshly caught seafood and fish beautifully presented, and chefs are on hand to accommodate any special requests. Don't leave without trying the Turkish mezze platters featuring locally inspired dishes and dips, lamb skewers and local prawns, which are to die for, and homemade warm bread.

The vegetable and fruit platters that surfaced each breakfast and lunchtime were pretty extraordinary, too. Vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie, healthy choices are available at every mealtime.

Meanwhile, à la carte options such as lobster, an array of salads and lamb kebabs are available at the beachside restaurants, which offer daily BBQs and buffets with music.

DON'T MISS

Top recommendations here include the incredible sunset cruise around the harbour, where you can eat dinner as you watch the sunset. Pure bliss. If you want a little tranquillity, make sure you also head to the silent beach, where you're strongly encouraged to leave your devices behind and do a digital detox for the day.

Home to the outdoor Sanda spa, we checked in for a facial and massage and then flopped out on a sunlounger, gazing out to sea for two hours. There was an incredible sense of calm here. The only sound you'll hear is the swishing of the trees and the odd bird overhead as the tide laps at the sand.

NEED TO KNOWS

Nightly rates at Hillside Beach Club start from £176 based on two people sharing a standard room on a full board plus basis.

All meals are included, as are drinks consumed during breakfast (7.30 am-10 am), lunch (12.45-3 pm) and dinner (7-9.45 pm) at the main restaurant.

Andrea Thompson is Editor in Chief at Marie Claire UK and was named by We are the City as one of the UKs top 50 trailblazers for her work championing gender equality. She sits on the committee of the British Society of Magazine Editors where she acts as Chair.

Andrea has worked as a senior journalist for a range of publications over her 20 year career including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, Channel 4, Glamour and Grazia. At Marie Claire UK, Andrea oversees content, strategy, events and campaigns across fashion, beauty and the brand's purpose pillars. Follow her on instagram at @andreacanwrite