Credentials
I can’t deny it, I have my smug face on. I am writing this from Villa Ayışığı, a secluded luxury villa, perched above the Turkish Riviera’s iconic turquoise waters. The techy electric sun canopy has just sprung into action and I am embracing a balmy sea breeze as I seek out the bay’s famed dolphins, with only the lapping Med and the odd bird for company. My private pool is twinkling beneath me and beside it, an intriguing shrouded pathway slices through a vertiginous wild garden, dotted with lime and fig trees, towards my private waterfront. On the other side of the peaceful bay, I can just about make out Deniz Feneri Lighthouse Hotel – where a restaurant, spa and pool await my arrival… should I fancy dropping by. And, in my driveway, sits my complimentary hire car, willing me to explore the region’s tomb-scattered mountains, beaches and Lycian ruins. Life could be worse.
Sleep
Villa Ayışığı (translating as Moonlight Villa) is one of two Lighthouse Lofts, created by Turan, the affable owner of the nearby Deniz Feneri Lighthouse Hotel. Located on Kaş’ peaceful peninsula, the spacious villa is a heady mix of marble floors, glass walls and high-tech gadgets. Set across 3-storeys it feels fantastically spacious and takes full advantage of its prime location, with sea-facing glass walls framing the Med at every opportunity. The contemporary interiors marry a white-on-white palate with a slick mix of marble, wood and glass. A daily maid service took the hassle out of villa life and ensured that our home for the week stayed looking like an interior design magazine’s centrefold around the clock. The space has been so thoughtfully executed, that we found it impossible to decipher which bedroom was the master – was it the dramatic mezzanine with sea views at every turn or the one downstairs with the jacuzzi bath and direct pool access? No, you don’t need to flip a coin here to allocate rooms.
Dine
Foodies will feel right at home along this picturesque stretch of coast. Firstly, Deniz Feneri Lighthouse Hotel serves a superb breakfast spread, with a huge variety of fresh fruits, cold cuts, local cheeses, breads (still warm from the oven) and cooked-to-order omelettes. Their diced apple with chopped walnuts, honey and cinnamon quickly became a firm favourite. They have a relaxed seafront eatery for lazy lunches and a sea-view restaurant for romantic dinners. Kaş town is a charming tangle of historic bougainvillaea strewn streets, lined with sweet Greek Ottoman-style buildings and quirky bars and restaurants. Despite the hip crowds and eccentric décors, we were pleased to find traditional Turkish cuisine dominating the menus. Lunches at Kasim saw us dine like kings for £3 a head, feasting on an ever-changing selection of hot and cold meze. We enjoyed some creative mezes (such as pickled pumpkin with pomegranate) and a superb steak on Bay Riza’s roof terrace and we couldn’t resist booking Ikbal Restaurant’s weekly lamb night, where we dined on an enormous slow-roasted lamb shoulder with a glass of their very quaffable house red. The bohemian crowd which flock to arty Kaş have brought with them an impressive selection of international, vegetarian and vegan dining options too. Laidback Oburus Momus serves creative vegan fare, such as eggplant crème brûlée and succulent aubergine croquettes. And, if you fancy a break from meze and dolma, L’Apero serves fine French food in a cosy courtyard, guarded by a friendly dalmatian and illuminated by the lanterns which artistically drip from the trees.
Who goes there?
Savvy British and Turkish hedonists after a luxurious retreat, opting for the peninsula’s raw beauty and hypnotic vistas over central Kaş’ thrum. A stay here means tuning into the sound of the sea and rustling palms, broken only by the muezzin’s call to prayer. Whilst the hotel attracts couples (of all ages) on relaxed romantic breaks, the added space and privacy that the Lighthouse Lofts afford, makes them ideal for small groups, as well as couples seeking a property with real wow factor.
Out and about
Strolling around laidback Kaş is like walking around a living museum. Whilst seeking out a new spot for our morning coffee we discovered the King’s Tomb – a grand 4th-century BC Lycian sarcophagus (one of many) which crowns one of the town’s prettiest (and steepest) streets, known locally as Slippery Street. An hour later, we stumbled upon a dramatic sea-facing Lycian amphitheatre – now a popular spot for watching the town’s infamous sunsets. The mountains behind Kaş are also scattered with ancient hanging tombs, many of which are visible from Kaş and are illuminated at night. Further afield, the Lycian Way hiking route offers 539km of dramatic coastal path which takes in fascinating ancient settlements and spectacular sea views along the way. Alternatively, head into the mountains and paraglide your way back down to the harbour, where you can catch boats along the coast to off the grid beaches – you can even hop across to various Greek islands in as little as 20-minutes. Kaş crystal clear waters and wrecks make it a popular scuba-diving spot. If simply lounging on a beach is more up your street, Instagram-worthy Kaputaş is just 20-minutes away and Patara’s world-famous sandy shores and Lycian ruins are just 15-minutes further. Of course, the Lighthouse Lofts do boast their own private waterside lounging platforms and direct access to the sea – and there are two small pebble beaches at the gateway to the peninsula. Those keen to barter a bargain should head to the Friday market, where you can pick up everything from locally grown fruit and veg to authentic street food and the obligatory knock-off designer clobber. After a long day exploring, a spa and traditional Turkish hammam await at the Deniz Feneri Lighthouse Hotel.
The best thing
The Lighthouse Lofts are the perfect choice for villa virgins. These guys have literally thought of everything. From the personal villa PA, daily maid service and morning bread delivery, to the pre-stocked kitchen (complete with mineral water dispenser and ice machine) and the hotel breakfast for those that fancy a change of scene – they even provide a complimentary hire car.
The worst thing
I am that irritating friend that has to check her handbag for her phone every ten minutes (only to discover it somewhere really obvious… like the fridge), so admittedly I did struggle a little with the countless remote controls. However, my techy partner loved being able to reveal the glistening Med each morning at the touch of a button or shelter our terrace lunches with shade in an instant. Boys and their toys. My other issue is that my other half now wants to sell up and live 2,393 miles away.
Turkey specialist Fairlight Jones offers seven nights at the Lighthouse Lofts in Kaş from £865pp based on 4 sharing. This includes return flights to Dalaman Airport, return transfers, seven days’ car hire, a welcome hamper and a breakfast basket. For more information call 020 3875 0351 or visit fairlightjones.com.
