- Chris Mooney arrives at the adults-only TUI Blue Seno hotel in Turkey.
- EXPLORE FURTHER: Understanding the secret messages embedded in check-in passcodes
Etched into the cliffs of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, the meticulously maintained hotel grounds cascade from a hidden peak down to the sandy shores below.
At the end of a winding road that curves softly to both sides, a tranquil sandy beach comes into view, nestled safely inside its own secluded bay. A mild wind from the Aegean Sea rustles through the air, caressing those lounging under the ideal climate conditions (approximately 20-25°C during April/May; significantly warmer in summertime).
This is the adult-only T The UI Blue Seno Hotel, located close to the town of Sarigerme on Turkey’s southwestern coastline, offers a perfect retreat in a region known for its stunning natural landscapes.
Even the descent into nearby Dalaman Airport – a 20-minute coach ride from the little town of Sarigerme – is a spectacular swoop into a lush and mountainous region largely untouched by modernity.
The TUI Blue Seno also exemplifies how well it fits into its environment. It successfully merges the historical elements with modern features effortlessly, as seen in its 34 two-story lodgings, multiple swimming areas, and stylish eating spaces barely distinguishable amidst vibrant flowers and lush forests.
During our initial visit to an all-inclusive resort, the Seno went above and beyond to convince us that we had been missing out significantly throughout those years of managing everything ourselves.
Displaying a masterclass in customer service, exceptional levels of cleanliness and a varied choice of food and drink, it felt like a steal for the price.
Whether you want to just sit and relax on the beach or at any one of the resort’s four pools, or five bars for that matter, or find something more adventurous, Seno has it. The resort also features a spa and a gym.
There are a variety of water sports available, including canoeing, paddleboarding and waterskiing, and boating trips to explore the chain of coves, bays and beaches dotted along the wonderful coastline of Dalaman.
Should you prefer staying on solid ground, the hotel offers an entertaining activities program led by a dedicated team. The daily events include a popular afternoon beach volleyball game and quieter options such as seated dart-throwing sessions. For guests who enjoy participating rather than just relaxing, cooking classes are also available.
Maybe you'd rather take a trip to the Blue Lagoon in nearby Olu Deniz, a beautiful sandy spit extending into the clear blue waters, surrounded by eateries and pubs where you can also partake in additional aquatic activities.
For the historically curious, day trips to the archaeological site at Kaunos, where ancient baths and amphitheatre can be found, are a must see, around 1hour 30 minutes away.
Ephesus, once the second-biggest city in the Roman Empire and considered Europe's most complete ancient city, is hugely rewarding, but a much longer journey up the coast towards kusadasi.
For us? This meant a break from work for an entire week, providing time to rejuvenate. Whether at the beach, the bar, the restaurant, or back in our room, we explored them all.
The room, one of 314 on the site, was comfortable and clean and perched atop the cliff-face with spectacular views out across the bay.
As for the food, well, those baggy linens weren’t quite so baggy on the trip home.
The main buffet restaurant offered everything your heart could desire: fresh fish, curry, salads, pizza and even roasts, all being cooked to order.
While we were reliably informed that almost all rooms had been booked out, it never felt like the place was too busy and service was impeccable.
At the beach, complementary beds were aplenty and the Beach Snack restaurant again offered a wide choice of pasta, fish and meat dishes throughout the day, again cooked while you wait.
Don’t be put off by the steepness of the slope either, a member of staff was on hand to take us and our luggage to and from the room to reception in a buggy.
Additionally, there is a frequent minibus service that operates in a circular route from the top of the resort to the bottom, approximately every 10 minutes. This allows passengers to disembark at their desired location along the way.
Even the gardeners halted their carts to provide rides whenever they noticed a visitor having difficulty.
The cliffside path is quite steep. Walking down to the main restaurant wasn’t too bad, but ascending back up after enjoying a substantial meal and having a couple glasses of wine proved to be quite challenging.
We were never left without transport options when returning to our place of stay.
Additionally, guests could enjoy à la carte meals at the Culinarium restaurant and the Grill House; however, reservations were required for both. The vista from the Cularinum’s terrace stands out as exceptionally beautiful.
Additionally, the Starlight bar adjacent offers entertainment, and we really enjoyed ourselves when we visited as the group of three performers had filled up the outdoor area.
However, if you're planning a getaway similar to ours, aimed at escaping the urban chaos and filth for some serene rest, evenings typically wind down early – midnight marks the end of lively activities – but worry not, as peace is readily available around here.
It's obvious really; we're already making reservations for next year.
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