Everyone wants to save money on vacation, but steep discounts are rare for most — unless you are a high-profile celebrity, influencer, or, it seems, the mayor of New York City.
25.09.2024 - 14:45 / matadornetwork.com
As I touched down at Dalaman Airport in Türkiye, a warm breeze and a hint of salty humidity welcomed me, signaling that the Aegean Sea was just around the corner.
I was on my way to the enchanting D Maris Bay, a luxurious beach resort in the southwestern part of the country. The 1.5-hour drive to the hotel revealed stunning views of olive groves, volcanic mountains, and lush forests while the sea glistened in the distance, giving me a sneak peek of the paradise waiting. D Maris Bay is perched on a hillside of the Datça Peninsula, where the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea meet.
La Guerite Beach at D Maris Bay. Photo: D Maris Bay
My arrival timed perfectly with sunset, and I elected to take my welcome drink on the lobby terrace while the staff handled my check-in. Looking down, I saw the hotel’s pools, beaches, and restaurants tucked steps from the sea, with the sun setting behind the landscape, bursting with oranges and reds — perfectly matching the crisp Aperol spritz I was sipping.
A standard room at D Maris Bay. Photo: D Maris Bay
There are 196 rooms and suites at D Maris Bay, plus a presidential suite and “exclusive villa.” I stayed in a “deluxe sea view room,” which is a few steps up from the most basic room type, but still on the less-expensive end. Nightly room rates range from $295 in the low season to more than $1,680 in the high season. Rates on the Presidential Suite go up to well over $10,000 a night. The hotel is only open from April to October, with peak season spanning from June to September.
My room was spacious and flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was tastefully decorated, but the best part of the room was the balcony. Not only did it have amazing views, but it also had an outdoor bathtub with glass walls facing the bay (and offering plenty of privacy).
Regardless of what room type you choose, all rooms come with luxurious amenities like a mini-bar, an in-room pillow menu, and high-end toiletries – no combined-shampoo-and-conditioner here.
“Silence Beach” for adults at D Maris Bay. Photo: D Maris Bay
Most activities at D Maris Bay revolve around the beach, but there’s no need to tax yourself before getting there: there’s a funicular to carry guests from the lobby and rooms to the beach area, and the ride from the treetops to the crystal-clear bay below is almost as pretty as the beaches themselves.
Once you’re at sea level, you have plenty of options for catching some sun. There are five beaches at D Maris Bay (two secluded and tucked away from the rest of the property), plus three pools. And if walking between beaches sounds like too much work, don’t worry: the resort has boats to ferry guests between each of the private bays and beaches.
The Bay Beach is best for
Everyone wants to save money on vacation, but steep discounts are rare for most — unless you are a high-profile celebrity, influencer, or, it seems, the mayor of New York City.
Autumn is a big season for hotels, especially those that represent the winds of change. In New York City, Standard International debuts its latest hotel concept, The Manner—which feels less like the hedonistic Standards of yore, and more like any of the city’s growing number of fabulous private-members clubs. Across the country in California, a beloved Laguna Beach icon enters an exciting new chapter. Salt Lake City is finally getting a new lifestyle hotel—just in time for another ski season. And the country’s first ultra-sustainable, “carbon positive” hotel opens its doors in Denver to set an example for hotels everywhere. There’s a lot happening, and a lot to explore—where will you go first? These are the most exciting new hotel openings of fall 2024.
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