Mandarin in a Nutshell :
If you believe that small is beautiful and prefer peaceful places to hectic ones, you are likely to appreciate the romantic and remote Mandarin, a gem of a hotel that is both luxurious and wholesome outside of Fethiye on the Turkish coast. Designed for couples and opened in 2007, it stands at the end of a long and thrilling mountain drive (although it is reachable by boat). Stylish yet timeless, the Mandarin (not to be confused with the international Mandarin Oriental brand) uses reclaimed wood fashioned into doors, beds, and furniture that reflect Anatolian culture.
Guest Rooms at Mandarin :
Setting the stage for romance, all rooms feature at least one vintage kilim rug and many have a touching story attached. (The petite and agreeable Aysegul, who manages the property and took a hand in its design, will gladly share the weavings' provenance if you ask.) Decorated in an updated, unfettered Anatolian style, each of the eight spacious rooms has a bed sheathed in pure, unbleached silk, a flatscreen TV with a DVD, and a large Jacuzzi tub and separate glassed-in shower. Larger suites also contain a working fireplace, table with two chairs, and balcony. Wi-fi is free throughout the property.
Dining at Mandarin :
Breakfast, afternoon tea, and a five-course dinner are all included in the daily rate at the Mandarin, where the cook prepares dishes made from local organic products in a big open kitchen. Vegetarians and vegans are accommodated. Dining is en suite or in the great room where the kitchen and the hotel's communal lounge (it's too warm and inviting to be called a lobby) are located. Along a fence, pomegranates grow. On the other side, an elderly woman harvests grapes. Flowers in bursts of color are as ubiquitous as the mandarin oranges that give the hotel its name.
Destination Weddings at Mandarin :
As a secular country, Turkey recognizes civil marriages. A couple planning an intimate gathering could reserve the eight-bedroom Mandarin together with friends and family and savor having the villa to themselves.
Relaxing at Mandarin :
Occupy yourselves as much or as little as you like. Read a book by the pool and sip one of the organic wines served at the Mandarin. In addition to the regular swimming pool, the hotel also has an enormous Jacuzzi on the other side of the wooden deck. You’re free to explore the small, unspoiled crystal clear waters along the coast. Walk to the beaches along the Aegean down scenic, rural country lanes. Snorkel, swim, fish, and photograph locations of great beauty and drama.
Activities Outside Mandarin:
Gulet boats, which are broad-beamed vessels native to Turkey, are available to sail to islands where you can swim in warm waters and take a day trip to the Greek island of Rhodes. Or visit the butterfly valley and the caves of Gemile. The hotel can arrange private chauffeur-driven guides to take you on a tour of Greco-Roman archeological sites and Kayakoy, the deserted village. Sports such as paragliding, kayaking, diving, rafting in the Dalaman River, and hiking the old Lycian Way (which passes in front of the hotel entrance) may also rouse you from the comforts of the Mandarin.
Who Shouldn't Stay at the Mandarin:
Couples who need lots of stimulation, couples who must travel with children, couples who prefer cool to warm weather, couples who get a kick out of shopping and the attractions of a big city, and couples who do not like or fear big dogs are likely to be happier staying elsewhere.
Vibe at the Mandarin:
The Mandarin was made for couples in love, couples who want a low-key but luxurious escape from big hotels, couples who want to get away from it all. Adventurous honeymooners have already made their way here and the hand-written notes they left in the thick guest book attest to the fact expectations were exceeded (love notes to Pasha, the big dog, are plentiful). The majority of guests hail from Great Britain, the USA, France, and Russia. There are no children’s activities and the hotel makes an effort to keep the ambiance serene and delightful.
Traveling to the Mandarin:
To reach the Mandarin, board the daily hydrofoil from Rhodes or drive from Fethiye. Dalaman airport is 1.5 hours away. The hotel can arrange private transportation from a port or airport as well as car rentals. Note: The drive from Fethiye is not for the faint of heart. The road leads up into steep mountains, narrows without guard rails, and contorts into hairpin turns. Aegean views are exhilarating or terrifying, depending on your perspective. Yet even nail biters will be charmed upon encountering a herd of goats temporarily blocking the road, the bells on their collars clanking as they scurry up the mountain.
Mandarin Boutique Hotel Info and Reservations:
Mandarin Boutique Hotel
Faralya, Oludeniz, Fethiye
Hotel Web Site
Phone: +90 252 642 1002
Faralya, Oludeniz, Fethiye
Hotel Web Site
Phone: +90 252 642 1002
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary meal for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
