About the Property

Hotel Villa Mahal

The owner Ipek has a flare for design which is nowhere more evident than at Hotel Villa Mahal. Located across the bay from the main harbour at Kalkan, the sea-front situation affords panoramic views across the water towards the town in one direction, and the open sea in the other.

The picture post-card spot was hand-picked by Ipek when she first moved to Kalkan over 20 years ago, and having gathered all in one place the essential ingredients of an award-winning boutique hotel, Hotel Villa Mahal has paved the way for others to follow. Joined by her brother, Murat, and his wife, Sebnem, they have created a haven for the more discerning traveller in the most wonderful location. You arrive at the Mahal’s reception from the dusty track outside, and crossing the threshold you quite simply enter another world. 

With overtures of a stylish Santorini retreat, you look down across the cobbled steps past nooks and crannies that tumble down to a heavenly water front.   

Paths criss-cross hither and thither leading to just 13 stylish rooms spread across the hillside, each one retaining a degree of privacy reflecting the hotel’s intimate atmosphere. Steps lead to a terrace overlooking the sea, where breakfast is taken. Choose from an array of local yoghurt, honey, succulent fruits, a variety of Turkish breads, pancakes and home-made jams.   

Exploring the Mahal you’ll discover her bountiful assets at every turn. The mature gardens waft a variety of sublime scents across the air from the various plants, including lime, olive and fig trees. Nearby the enchanting, triangular infinity pool beckons with a tempting glint of sunlight falling on her cool waters, accompanied by plump cushions and grassy areas on which to relax and unwind.  Take a nap together in the impossibly romantic double swing chair, located in one of the shady corners.  Top up your tan on one of the wooden sun loungers, strategically positioned on a grassed roof terrace taking advantage of those die-for views.   

On reaching the water’s edge, however, you’ll discover her hidden gem – the Mahal Beach Club. 

Abutting the water’s front are layers of platforms built into the rocks, under the shady olive groves.  Here and there are dotted hammocks and loungers on which to curl up and relax with a good book.  A stone’s throw out to sea are swimming platforms from where guests can while away the hours, enjoying nothing but the sound of the gently lapping water.   

The active can enjoy sailing at Mahal with nothing to disturb the perfect ambience - simply the wonderful image of white sails on a perfect aquamarine bay! Alternatively, guests can call-up a motor boat to whisk them away to a cove where all manner of water-sports are provided.    

While the main Beach Club is open to all Exclusive Escapes’ Guests in Kalkan, hotel residents benefit from a private beach club area, immediately below the hotel, for their sole use.   

By night the loungers and parasols are replaced by starched napkins and gleaming glasses, which under twinkling fairy lights provide an incredibly romantic dining spot.  Attentive waiters will tend to your every need, serving a selection of classic, Mediterranean dishes accompanied by surprisingly good local wines.  For those who prefer to venture into Kalkan, a water-taxi will whisk you away to the main harbour whose bougainvillea-covered streets are home to a host of tasteful bars and roof-terrace restaurants.  

Hotel Villa Mahal is spaciously laid out, and its design contemporary. The rooms are a real highlight providing, in our opinion, amongst the highest quality available in coastal Turkey.

It has just 13 rooms, eight of which are reserved for Exclusive Escapes with five kept back by Ipek for her long-established guests (non-UK). Much thought has been given to peace and privacy with each of these tasteful and romantic rooms maximising the impact of its wonderful setting.  

In short, a chic, romantic bolt-hole with a real edge - the Hotel Villa Mahal has it all, in spades.