Don’t be surprised if you bump into billionaire Roman Abramovich at Casa Dell’Arte.
It’s a quietly elegant boutique hotel in Bodrum (on Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula).
Casa Dell’Arte (meaning “house of art”) is also an art gallery, and Abramovich has popped in to browse its collection.
Casa Dell’Arte: Bodrum art hotel
The walls of Casa Dell’ Arte are decorated with exquisite canvasses by artists such as Nese Erdok.
(She’s Turkey’s greatest living female painter, known for her paintings of sad-looking people.)
Patrons of the arts, the hotel’s owners also offer an artist-in-residence program.
Ten up-and-coming artists from around the world are hosted for two terms a year.
Their works, created on location, are also displayed in the hotel.
Adults-only luxury hotel in Bodrum
The adults-only hotel has 12 individually decorated suites, each themed around the Zodiac.
The suites flank a rectangular lap pool.
Ivory walls and blonde wood furniture allow artistic touches to predominate in the suites – like huge boat-shaped beds and silver-and-black cow hide rugs.
Our Aries suite came with a glass bathroom ceiling lit by tiny twinkling lights at night.
Even the air conditioners are minimalist works of art, covered by hologram paintings.
It was all quite romantic – in a very contemporary sort of way (one of the most romantic hotels in Europe we’ve stayed at).
Do you love art hotels? Then check out Hotel El Ganzo, an oasis of cool in Los Cabos, Mexico (read next!)
The sea is key at Casa Dell’Arte
Strolling about the hotel is a visual treat.
Marble public rooms and breezy stone passageways contain antiques, grand iron chandeliers from the Napoleonic era and outdoor fireplaces from Cappadocia.
But always, by design, the eye is eventually drawn to the brilliant turquoise sea just beyond a swath of manicured lawn.
There, the hotel’s wooden dock juts out into the water, where the sunbathing is all very civilized (no icky sand in your bikini).
Cushioned cocoon chairs invite lounging under the shade of an umbrella, and there are ladders to climb down into the sea for a cool dip.
Location
Located in the pretty village of Torba, Casa Dell’Arte is a short walk down the beach from a few charming fish restaurants.
It’s about 20 minutes away from buzzing Bodrum town.
But, really, as it’s one of the best hotels in Bodrum, you may feel no reason to leave…
What we loved about Casa Dell’Arte, Bodrum:
- All the glorious art on the walls
- Huge individually-decorated suites and bathrooms
Be aware:
- Luxury comes at a price (dinners at the hotel’s restaurant are expensive, as are the suites)
Casa Dell’Arte The Residence
Experience more of Turkey!
Check out our essential posts on:
Turkey trip planning | We suggest this 2-week Turkey itinerary for luxury lovers
Istanbul | The top 5 hammams in Istanbul for luxury lovers and the best boutique Istanbul hotels
Bodrum | Going glam at Macakizi
Cappadocia | Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia and the fairytale Esbelli Evi, a charming cave hotel
Ephesus | The ancient Ephesus ruins (the mother of all of Turkey’s historical sites)
Photo credits: 1, 6 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Remaining photos Casa Dell’Arte
Casa Dell’Arte hosted us as media guests. But, as always, all opinions and words are our own.
About the authors:
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Irene S. Levine
Monday 5th of August 2013
What an elegant place to stay! Love it~
Janice and George
Monday 5th of August 2013
Yes, it was very delightful, to say the least!