Tucked away in a pine forest on the Turkish Riviera, newly opened Bijal, which means ‘enlightenment’ in Hindi, has a fun, retro feel yet is unequivocally high-end.
The 19 villas are sufficiently spaced to maximise privacy, and each comes with its own private pool, walled garden and personal butler. This is next-level luxury and a game-changer for the Antalya region.
Where is it?
An hour’s drive from Antalya airport, and a half-hour walk from the town of Side, with its impressive array of Greco-Roman ruins. You won’t be short of things to do in the vicinity, if you can tear yourself away from the tranquillity of the resort.
Style
Istanbul architects Autoban have created a playful yet tasteful space, reminiscent of 1950’s California, with furnishings and the layout giving a nod to Mid-Century Modern.
Nature is part of the design, with the villas built around the olive and pine trees and roofs planted with jasmine and bougainvillaea. Rounded corners, lozenge-shaped pools and waveform shapes create a sense of softness and flow, stucco walls give texture, and floor-to-ceiling windows maximise natural light.
The relaxing colour scheme of neutral tones, rustic wood and stone is offset by pops of sunflower yellow and sea green. There is a distinct, sophisticated Bijal style reflected in all aspects of the resort, right down to the his-and-hers kimonos and sandals.
The theme of ‘play’ runs throughout, from the Polaroid cameras in the rooms and bright yellow bikes for guests to zip around on, to the pottery, cooking and art classes, resident DJ, and Kids’ House for the younger ones.
Food & Drink
Two restaurants, BeachHouse and ClubHouse, showcase a range of international cuisines and flavours. Themed set menus from guest chefs span Japanese, French, Italian, Georgian, Russian and beyond.
ClubHouse is the more formal of the two, with a fine dining menu created by Michelin-starred Italian chef Theodor Falser. This is also where breakfast is taken — a feast for the eyes and taste buds, where one whole room is dedicated to the buffet, and la carte options include Turkish menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and green peppers) and çılbır (poached eggs in garlic yoghurt).
BeachHouse is best for salads, mezze, fresh fish and seafood, and long, lazy lunches overlooking the sea. It has an outdoor pool and resident DJ, and a band of friendly, knowledgeable staff on-hand at all times. Dishes can also be brought to your beach cabana — highly recommended for maximum privacy and relaxation. During peak season, a beach teppanyaki restaurant serves Japanese-inspired fare.
In-room dining can be arranged around the clock, and the villas stock full bottles of Champagne, Japanese whisky, Mexican tequila and rum, complete with cocktail shaker and mixers — just in case a private pool party is on the cards. The villas have a comfy sofa and curvaceous table filled with local fruits and Turkish sweets that are replaced daily.
Facilities
The main house sits at the entrance to the resort, and includes a large outdoor pool, a 24-hour bar, an open-plan living area with board games, and an upstairs spa, sauna, hammam and fitness studio. Massages can be taken either in one of the three treatment rooms or in your villa, and run the gamut from Balinese and Thai to Lomi-Lomi and Shiatsu. We tried the aromatherapy massage which was super relaxing.
Private yoga classes and sessions with a personal trainer are available. Bikes are conveniently outside your villa so you can easily cycle to the BeachClub and beach.
As the beach is only for guests’ use, it feels blissfully spacious, especially for this part of the world. A variety of watersports is on offer, from jet skiing and wakeboarding to parasailing.
Book in for a ceramics class or an art session and the hotel will set up some canvases and paints for you on the lawn to recreate the view.
Which room?
The villas range in size from one-bedroom to four-bedroom, with the former having outdoor bathtubs, and the latter occupying a secluded corner at the end of the resort. Villa number 2 is the larger of the four-beds, while 1 has the biggest garden.
No expense has been spared in the technology department. The lighting, temperature and in-room entertainment are all controlled from a bedside tablet. And the latest Dyson hair appliances are ready-and-waiting on the dressing table.
Extracurricular
Follow the promenade along the beach and you’ll hit the seaside town of Side, famous for its impressive archeological ruins such as the 2nd-century Roman Amphitheatre and Temple of Apollo, said to be where Anthony met Cleopatra. It’s well worth hiring a local guide here to talk you through the sites and bring the history to life. This is also where you’ll find beautifully restored Ottoman houses lining picturesque streets — ideal for souvenir shopping, an afternoon stroll or that all-important evening cocktail.
Along the coast to the east is the 13th-century castle of Alanya, with its four-mile-long defensive wall that stands on a rocky bluff above the Mediterranean.
Best for…
Ultra-luxurious Turkish hospitality enjoyed in private.
The details
Rates start at €900 (£760) for a one bedroom villa for two adults on a B&B basis. bijal.com.
