On a recent visit to the Turquoise Coast in southwest Türkiye (formerly known as Turkey), I discovered the welcoming Ece Saray Marina & Resort. The hotel was surrounded by lush green hills and overlooking sparkling Fethiye Bay.
As well as a hotel, the site is a working marina. Pleasure craft were bobbing in the water and a waterside terrace was filled with boaters indulging in a few beverages.
It was a far cry from the luxurious Istanbul hotel I had come from, which was very busy and urban.
I was on a trip along the Lycian Way, a coastal path that stretches almost 500 miles from Fethiye to Antalya. My agenda included discovering rock tombs carved by mysterious ancient people into cliffs, amphitheaters, temples, and glorious ruins.
This was the start of my adventure, but before I could dig in, I needed to get settled at the accommodation at my first stop.
Ece Saray Marina & Resort is a stylish, low-slung building with 48 guest rooms. It is surrounded by a luxuriant green garden with a waterside restaurant, and the hotel’s views are spectacular.
Rooms and Amenities at Ece Saray Marina & Resort
My room had a King bed, and when I opened the drapes, I was pleased to see that my Juliet balcony overlooked the marina. Amenities included a tea and coffee maker, bathrobe and slippers, free WiFi, a safe, and a mini bar. Plus, the bathroom had a hydro massage tub.
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Other rooms offered twin beds with showers. Suites had separate living rooms.
Chatting with the front desk clerk, I learned that amenities at this child-friendly hotel included free parking, a private lounge, meeting rooms, and a 45-minute airport transfer service.
Wake up to a Buffet Breakfast
In the morning, I headed up a flight of stairs to the rooftop terrace for breakfast. It was a bright, sunny day, and I sat down with my coffee, observing the stunning bay stretching beyond the marina.
At the breakfast buffet, I loaded my plate with creamy cheeses, cold cuts, and plenty of fruit. Also, you could order a hot egg dish. Beverages included tea, coffee, and fruit juice.
An On-site Dinner Option at Ece Saray Marina & Resort
In the evening, a seafood restaurant called Girida Port had tables set in the garden and along the water. Daily fish specials were freshly caught and delicious appetizers including shrimp and stuffed eggplant. It was delightful to feel a light breeze as I sipped a crisp white wine and waited for my dinner to arrive.
Pampering, Pool Time, and Fitness
Tootling through the hotel premises, I sized up a pool with sundeck and loungers. I made a mental note to come back and spend a bit of lazy time there. The hotel also offered an Ayurvedic spa with a hammam and sauna. The spa menu included massages, facials, body treatments, and Ayurvedic options. Plus there was a fitness room.
Where to Go Nearby the Ece Saray Marina & Resort
A five-minute walk from the hotel, the downtown of lively Fethiye beckoned. Boutiques and souvenir shops dotted the streets. I found a cluster of restaurants with a large fish market in the middle.
This area is known for its delectable seafood. When I returned the next night, I chose my meal from the market showcase. The sea bass did not disappoint.
For Lycian Buffs staying at Ece Saray Marina & Resort
Perhaps the highlight of my stay was visiting the Lycian rock tombs, which were a 10-minute drive from town. These included the 4th-century B.C. Tomb of Amyntas, high on a cliff overlooking the city.
The sarcophagi are carved into rocky cliffs, and for a small fee, you can climb up for a peek. Built by the Lycian elite as elevated resting places, you get the feeling they wanted to be close to heaven.
Well, that was my interpretation. A guide told me a local legend says they liked the cliff locations so a winged siren-like creature could fly them to the next realm.
Sadly, there’s nothing to see inside them. Tomb robbers cleaned out any treasures long ago.
Dive into the Waters off the Lycian Way
From the tombs’ elevated height, I could see several islands. I didn’t have time this round, but I was told you could visit by boat for day trips.
The area also has a number of beaches for sunning and swimming. Some smaller ones are near the hotel, while Calis Beach and Oludeniz Beach are between five to 10 miles away.
Rates at Ece Saray Marina & Resort
Standard double or twin rooms start at $210 per night. Suites start at $265 per night.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. The Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency contributed to her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
