Not many visitors to Kalkan come for a tranquil escape — the former Greek fishing village is one of Turkey’s biggest tourism success stories — but the Likya Pavilion, a clutch of luxurious private pool suites on the western side of the town’s horseshoe bay, is as relaxing as it gets. An air of exclusivity drifts between the tiki-styled central pool, flanked by a curved restaurant terrace and bar, and the ten suites, dotted through the manicured grounds.
Many guests choose to take breakfast and lunch on their private terraces or balconies, all of which come with glorious sea views, while the no-under-14s policy means it’s blissfully peaceful even in school summer holidays. If a private pool isn’t enough, a stay includes complimentary access to the Likya Beach Club, a few minutes’ walk from the the hotel, with cabanas and loungers set on stepped terraces above the water. Perfect for couples looking for a lazily romantic break, service is charming but low-key — the perfect antidote to the buzz of the Old Town.
Overall score 8/10
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Rooms and suites
Score 8/10
Glass-walled and contemporary in design, whether you choose a Loft or Pavilion suite there’s the same sense of style and airy openness, with Kalkan’s teal-blue skies visible at every turn. The four Pavilion Pool Houses are the most palatial, with king-size canopied-beds on the mezzanine levels, above spacious living areas that open onto pool decks.
The Lofts are slightly bigger, sleeping up to three, but are semi-detached (although still completely private). Some have garden views, whereas every Pavilion house has spectacular sea views; all have spacious bathrooms in cool, cream-hued stone.
Food and drink
Score 9/10
Any Turkish-owned hotel can be judged on its breakfast; it should be a smorgasboard of eggs, local cheeses, olives and salad vegetables, local yoghurt and honey. Likya’s kahvalti (breakfast) ticks every box, along with a daily side helping of spectacular sea views. At lunch and dinner, the menu focuses on elevated Turkish dishes; mezze treats rich in olive oil and locally sourced vegetables; spiced kofte and chargrilled prawns with sticky baklava and thimbles of bitter Turkish coffee to finish. Across the road at the Likya Beach Club, herb-laden salads and crispy pide (Turkish pizza) are served at lunchtime, either to your cabana or on the restaurant terrace.
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What else is there?
Score 8/10
The key to the hotel’s success is its elegant simplicity, so it’s necessary to venture out for anything other than a day at the beach club. The concierge can arrange spa treatments at a nearby hotel, car hire and excursions or a private guide, along with all manner of activities from paragliding and scuba diving to trekking trips and water sports.
Where is it?
Score 8/10
Kalkan has mushroomed over the last few years, with many hotels too far out of town to be reachable on foot. Likya Pavilion is an easy ten-minute walk from the harbour — a lovely way to top-and-tail an evening, with taxis available if required. Dalaman airport is a two-hour transfer, with Patara beach — one of the region’s most splendid — just 20 minutes’ drive.
Price B&B doubles from £242
Restaurant mains from £16
Family-friendly N
Accessible N
Annabelle Thorpe was a guest of Likya Pavilion (likyapavilion.com)
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