The secret European island known as the 'Maldives of Turkey' – and it's only a €25 boat ride from the mainland | The Sun

THE earthy smell of the pine trees wafted across the pool and our sun loungers.

We had been sprawled out here all day, watching the yachts lazily cross the bay under the sun's warm glow.

Turkey's ancient city of Phaselis was once loved by Alexander the Great, who after invading in 334BC decided to set up home for the winter.

But it had never been top of our holiday bucket list, because until recently it was deserted, home to nothing but the ruins of a seventh-century BC port and a national park.

Now something beautiful has sprung up in the shadow of these ruins.

The new NG Phaselis Bay hotel, near Kemer on the sparkling Turkish Riviera.

This place is ultra-all-inclusive, meaning that everything from alcohol to exercise classes is paid for, bar a small surcharge in some restaurants.

Read more on Turkey

Best Turkey hols with deals from £64pppn in September & October

Bag an adults-only autumn holiday from £71pppn to Spain, Turkey or Greece

So you can sip champagne while at the in-pool spinning class, if you really wanted.

The hotel opened last year, nestled between the imposing Taurus Mountains and the twinkling Mediterranean.

The 480 rooms are all set around a stunning tropical infinity pool, where the natural surroundings seem to merge seamlessly with the resort's architectural design.

Like Alexander, we too were treated like kings from the moment we arrived, although maybe not quite as lavishly as the Macedonian ruler.

Most read in Beach holidays

Remember the days when you had to phone reception if the air-con was on the blink or you needed some milk for your early-morning cuppa?

Not at the NG Phaselis Bay. When we checked in we were added to a personal WhatsApp group, with an assistant always a message away from helping us out.

The children were on the kids' club group chat: "Hey guys," the messages kept pinging, "We are at the games room/playing volleyball/making slime."

We had a family room, which was actually two identical rooms with a dividing door – ideal for being near the children, without being TOO near.

And the extra perk is that the top-end toiletries, Nespresso machine and well-stocked mini bar are all included.

Not that you'll need to dive into the minibar, with seven onsite restaurants, all but one with gourmet dining.

We ate freshly-caught seafood at Scallops, devoured melt-in-the-mouth cheeseburgers at Burgers And Beer and indulged on buffet grub for breakfast and lunch at Cuisine Restaurant.

My highlight, though, are the food trucks dotted around the grounds, which means everything from corn on the cob and churros to fresh fruit and ice cream is only a short stroll from your sun lounger or room.

And if you're enjoying the sunbathing too much for a stroll, just press a button and a rollerblading waiter will arrive to take your order.

You'll want to try the cocktails too – all extra colourful and bling for that perfect holiday brag snap.

Mine came in a glass dome full of dry ice.

If you're wanting a break from the R&R, then the resort even has its own street of shops, but you may want to stick to window shopping.

Given the not-so-great exchange rate for Brits, we were still taken aback by some of the prices – £70 for a lilo seemed a bit inflated.

The seaside town of Kemer is also only a short taxi ride away.

If you can drag the kids away from the slides in the hotel's water park, then you will discover an old fishing village that is now welcoming tourists with a beach, marina, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Book a boat tour while you're here too.

It's the best way to soak up this beautiful stretch of coastline.

A firm called My Kemer Tours offers daily trips (€25pp) from Kemer to Suluada, an uninhabited volcanic island and one of the most beautiful spots in Turkey for a paddle, with clear turquoise waters and soft sands backed by orange cliffs.

The water surrounding the floating island is so clear, it's often referred to as the Maldives of Turkey.

Read More on The Sun

I moved into a van because rent was expensive… people are shocked by the inside

I’m a savings queen – easy trick I use to budget and how you can too

After long strolls in the sun, an icy tipple back at the resort is the perfect way to cool off.

If Alexander the Great had cocktails delivered by staff on wheels, I bet he would have made Phaselis his permanent home.

GO: PHASELIS

GETTING THERE: easyJet flies from Bristol, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester and Liverpool to Antalya from £29 each way. See easyjet.com.

STAYING THERE: One night's ultra-all inclusive at NG Phaselis Bay starts from £296pp. See ngphaselisbay.com.

Source: Read Full Article