Once the ancient city of Halicarnassus and home to one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the city of Bodrum is where the top 1% in Turkey spend their summers. And since the completion of the Yalikavak Marina, it has become a genuine rival to high-end Mediterranean hotspots such as Saint-Tropez, Capri or Monaco.
Although previously dominated by package holidays, Bodrum has completely changed its reputation over the last few years and now draws an affluent crowd seeking authenticity, world-class dining and luxury.
The Michelin Guide came to Bodrum in 2023, further elevating the seaside town’s foodie reputation and bestowing stars on two outlets: Maçakizi and Ayla, while the pick of the hotel industry’s chic luxury brands already have a presence there, including Mandarin Oriental and Six Senses. More are beating a path to the resort, including the eagerly awaited Bulgari and St. Regis developments.
But it was the arrival in 2024 of the famed Mykonos beach club Scorpios, part of the Soho House group, that really made waves in both the industry and among jet-setters seeking refinement, luxury and a great place to party.
A remarkable turnaround
“I would say the turning point was the renovation of the marina,” says Can. “That really put us on the map in terms of being a luxury destination. All of a sudden there were 60-meter super yachts in the port and that caught the attention of the big hotel groups as well as the more affluent tourists.
“Bodrum has beautiful landscape, nature and beaches and its own identity, so it was already attractive, but when you add in the luxury component, that’s when it became a place to be and a place people wanted to be seen in.”
It’s quite the turnaround for the port and also something Can has witnessed first hand, having been a regular in Bodrum since childhood.
“I've lived in different places all over the world, but the one place I always came back to was Bodrum because it was where my grandfather built a summer house back in the early 1980s,” he says. “Back then, there was nothing. No roads, no hotels, just a small fishing port. I’ve been coming here for the past 30 years and, honestly, the difference is staggering.
“And while Bodrum has become a little more commercial than it was, there’s definitely the sense that we are competing with the best resorts in the Mediterranean and investors have clearly seen Bodrum’s potential. So what started with the marina and the arrival of one or two luxury hotel groups has ballooned and we’re now experiencing what’s known as the ‘Bodrum Boom’ – a real chain reaction where hotels, boutiques and restaurants have been flocking to the town to satisfy the demands of the new set of visitors.”
Variety and authenticity
So what is it about this previously small fishing village on the Turkish Aegean coast that makes it so attractive to visitors? According to Can, there are a number of factors in play.
“Although Bodrum is definitely much more well-known than it was in the past, it’s not the most commercial place in the Mediterranean either,” he says. “So while it offers the best hotels, restaurants and shopping experiences, there are also plenty of opportunities for people to get away from it all and find a bit of privacy. Of course, you get paparazzi like everywhere else, but there are more ways to avoid them here.
“What’s more, the charm of Bodrum goes deeper than the amenities available. The local people are so genuine and friendly and really try to showcase the best of what the city is about. So visitors can splurge in the most luxurious restaurants and hotels, but can also have a super casual and authentic experience in a village style restaurant, so there’s real flexibility here as well.”
Something to remember
Visitors seeking a balance between high-end luxury and seclusion could do worse than booking one of the 12 Scorpios Bodrum villas, which are located above the resort’s multi-level complex of restaurants, wellness spaces and beach club.
Located on a peninsula, Scorpios Bodrum is spread across 70,000 square meters and aims to offer ‘a re-imagining of the Greek agora – a place where thought is cultivated and the soul nourished by sublime surroundings, fresh food and inspired cultural programming’.
“We invite worldwide wellbeing practitioners, who come on a weekly basis and look after our guests during the day,” he says. “Our nighttime experience is mainly based on food and beverage: we have our main restaurant, which has a terrace for the parties we hold. These see world-renowned DJs play to almost 15,000 guests a week.
“It's actually a combination of hospitality, wellbeing, entertainment and food and beverage – all delivered in a balanced and thoughtful way. And our aim is to continue developing those different experiences and create new memories. I think this is where things are going in hospitality generally. People don't just pay for the product; they’re paying for something to remember and to tell their friends and family about when they go back home.”
Wealth of experience
Can is now calling on his years of experience to help Scorpios Bodrum prosper and take advantage of the resort’s burgeoning reputation. Having studied at Glion, he has built up an impressive resume since graduation.
“I started my career with Kempinski in Beijing as a management trainee in F&B,” he says. “From there, I moved to Peninsula Hotels in the same city for a couple of years, then moved to Paris with the same hotel group, again in F&B. Then I moved back to China with Peninsula, this time in Shanghai where I ran one of the flagship restaurants that was awarded a Michelin star.”
After another stint in Beijing working on a huge renovation project with Peninsula, Can moved out to Kazakhstan with the Ritz Carlton in his first F&B Director role.
“My goal was always to be at the best-performing hotels in any particular city, whether that was Paris, Beijing, Shanghai or Almaty,” he says. “Towards the end of my time in Kazakhstan, I was approached by Bodrum Edition, which really was the talk of the region at the time, boasting celebrity guests, F&B innovations, partnerships with different chefs and brands. So I was lured back to Turkey and spent three hugely rewarding years there.
“After my third year, I was offered the position of General Manager with Scorpios, which meant a move from classic hospitality into more of a lifestyle and experiential offering. It was a challenge I couldn’t resist and, so far, it’s one I’m really enjoying.”
Perfect day
Currently preparing for the next season, Can remains excited by the challenge he has taken on in a city where he has lived longer than any other.
“I’ve never lived in the same place for longer than four years,” he says. “So Bodrum really is feeling like a genuine home for me now. And while it has changed dramatically in recent times, it’s a place where people still make you feel welcome.”
So as someone who has known the city since childhood and now works in the upper echelons of the resort’s hospitality industry, what would Can’s idea of a perfect day be in Bodrum?
“First of all, I would recommend staying longer than one day,” he says. “But if you only had 24 hours, I’d say you should start with a traditional Turkish breakfast in a small village-style place. There are still families who host tourists in their garden for breakfast, so that’s what my first port of call would be.
“Next, you simply have to have a swim at the beach, whether that’s a public one or owned by one of the hotels. Late afternoon is a great time for shopping at the marina and wandering around looking at the mega yachts moored there.
“And while there are many high-end eateries in Bodrum, I would suggest finding a restaurant where the locals eat for a nice seafood dinner. Finally, to end the day on a high, naturally I would suggest coming to Scorpios for a drink and a dance. What better way to finish off a perfect day in the city that’s become the jewel of the Aegean?”
For more Turkish delights, check out this issue's profile of Istanbul – part of our 'World's best luxury destinations' series.
Photo captions
Castle: Gary Yeowell/Getty
Marina: efired/Getty
