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Olu Deniz, Turkey – Belcekiz Beach Club Hotel
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Beach life pervades the atmosphere here – the atmosphere is “chilled”, the smiles are broad and formality goes out the window. Is it any wonder, with beaches like the beautiful Blue Lagoon or the justifiably popular Belcekiz Beach, or the emptier Kidrak or Gemiler beaches? The October Air Games Festival, which takes place during our stay, fills the skies with dare devil paragliders from all over the world. Feeling energetic? Then why not take a walk on a well-marked section of the 500 kilometres of the glorious Lycian Way.
If you’re looking for a perfect location, the Belcekiz Beach Club Hotel has it! Hemming the waterfront in Olu Deniz, it’s just footsteps from the beach. Plus, you’ll find bars, shops and restaurants right on your doorstep. The hotel also stands in lovely gardens.
Overlooking it is the main buffet restaurant, great for a bit of al fresco dining. There’s also an à la carte option – take your pick from Italian, Thai or Indian. All 215 rooms have air-conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, minibar - filled with juice and water once on arrival only, tea/coffee-making facilities, balcony or patio (some rooms are in a separate annexe across the road behind the hotel). Your holiday will be directed by Mike Swanson & Carole Yates
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The sparkling Mediterranean, a turquoise lagoon, all fringing green hillsides - Olu Deniz offers a landscape that it is hard to do justice with just a photograph
Just 12 kilometres from Olu Deniz and dating back three thousand years, is the bustling port town of Fethiye (you can get there easily by the regular bus service). Devastated by an earthquake in 1958, this mostly modern town hosts some magnificent age-old glories, including awe-inspiring Lycian rock-face tombs, a fabulous Roman amphitheatre and a ruined mountain fort. Its cobbled old town is packed with souvenir shops, whilst its buzzing harbour overflows with restaurants and gulet trips to local islands and Calis Beach, across the bay. 
Arranged in candy-painted two-storey annexes (no lifts) spread around the grounds, it’s got a definite Mediterranean-village quality. Think bright bougainvillea trailing over wooden trellises, pine trees and wrought-iron balconies. Tucked into the gardens is a lagoon-like pool (seen clearly in the picture above). 