Reges Hotel & Spa review: a stylish family resort on Turkey’s Aegean coast

Tucked away off a main road on a small peninsula jutting into the Aegean, the Reges, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa, is not just one hotel, but two. Almost mirroring each other — the main difference is the number of rooms — this brace of futuristic-looking, curvy, white stone and glass buildings flank a peaceful garden area which contains two pools (one heated, one not) close to a small stretch of private blue-flag beach. Inside, the blue, white and gold decor is bright, airy and sophisticated, making it feel a cut above the standard family resort, and the appeal is enhanced by complimentary services like valet parking. Friendly staff with encyclopaedic local knowledge can’t do enough to make you feel welcome.

Overall score 8/10

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Rooms and suites

Score 8/10
Every one of the 104 rooms and suites has an unobstructed sea view from its balcony or terrace and even the standard rooms occupy an impressive amount of space (from around 45 sq m), with a lounge area and small desk set-up. If you’re not travelling with a close companion, you might find the fact that the bathroom door is clear glass mildly unsettling, but a bonus is that every room has a bath. Design elements take their cue from the sea and surroundings, with blue and turquoise rugs, elegant dark wood fittings for the shelves and wardrobes, and stylish touches like coffee table books and ceramic objects. Both blocks are similar in terms of style and design, but one has just 40 rooms compared to the other’s 64 and feels a little more intimate.

Food and drink

Score 8/10
The main restaurant, Safran, has all-day dining; the breakfast buffet showcases delicious local produce, from freshly made menemen (Turkish-style scrambled eggs with tomatoes and green peppers) to flaky boyoz pastries, labneh and a whole honeycomb. The menu for lunch and dinner features a broader mix of Mediterranean-style dishes such as grilled octopus or seafood spaghetti.

Outside, the chic but chilled Oasis pool bar offers a range of creative cocktails, as well as pizzas, pide, salads and sandwiches, while a smaller branch of Murano’s Kitchen, a popular Italian restaurant in Izmir, is also open for lunch and dinner. While there’s no specific children’s menu, you’ll find crowd-pleasers such as burgers and spaghetti bolognese for little ones. There’s also a small sports bar.

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What else is there?

Score 8/10
There’s a spa in the basement with six treatment rooms and a hairdressing salon. The wellness area also incorporates a smallish indoor pool and a gym featuring Technogym equipment. A spacious and colourful supervised kids’ club is stocked with games and books; pets are allowed to stay here, too.

Where is it?

Score 9 /10
It’s in Boyalik, a suburb of Cesme on Turkey’s Aegean coast — the town centre, featuring an ancient castle and a charming seafront promenade, is a ten-minute drive away. Only slightly further is the pretty resort town of Alacati, with small, winding, flower-filled streets lined with tempting bars and restaurants. A clutch of beaches are scattered around the peninsula; windsurfing enthusiasts should head to Ilica. The fascinating, historic Greco-Roman site of Ephesus is within a two-hour drive and well worth a day trip.

Price B&B doubles from £408
Restaurant mains from £13
Family-friendly Y
Accessible Y

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Laura Millar was a guest of Reges, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa (reges.com.tr)

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