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Macakizi Hotel Review: A Glam Beach Hotel in Bodrum

We loved the scene at Macakizi! So writing this Macakizi Hotel review was easy.

If you’re looking for a sophisticated boutique hotel on the beach in Bodrum, Turkey, check out Macakizi.

Located near the pretty village of Turkbuku on the Bodrum Peninsula, the hotel is about a 45-minute drive from Bodrum town.

It’s easily accessible by taxi or dolmus, the small public vans used to ferry people around.

Macakizi is one of the best hotels in Bodrum, Turkey.
Macakizi is one of the best hotels in Bodrum, Turkey

Macakizi Hotel review

A cool suite at Macakizi, Bodrum
A cool suite at Macakizi

From its start as a bohemian hideaway for artists and thinkers in the 1970’s, Macakizi has transformed into a favorite boutique hotel for well-heeled, young and glamorous guests (often Turkish celebrities).

It’s the “it” spot to see and be seen on the Bodrum Peninsula.

Macakizi, one of the best beach hotels in Bodrum
At Macakizi, the swimming and sunning is legendary

Clinging to a verdant terraced hillside, it immediately charms with its white-washed stone villas, clad in bougainvillea.

Like most Bodrum beach resorts, there’s no actual sandy beach.

Sun-seekers lounge about on wooden decks built over the water, with ladders for entering the sea.

Macakizi Hotel in Bodrum
Beach chairs on the deck at Macakizi

At Macakizi, young glamorous Istanbullus curl up on plump deck cushions, smoking cigarettes, sipping cocktails and socializing.

It’s a real fashion parade too.

After the ladies go for a swim, they change into a fresh dry bikini in individual tent-like changing rooms near the showers at the end of the jetty.

Sometimes they change into eight or more bikinis a day!

Come on in – the water’s clear and perfect for swimming!

Rooms at Macakizi

All of Macakizi’s 74 rooms (including 21 suites) are fresh and bright; many look out over the sea.

Most are in two-storey cottages with private balconies.

For better sea and garden views (and more privacy), choose an upper floor room.

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The sea view from an upper floor room at Macakizi
The sea view from an upper floor room at Macakizi

Ours had stone floors, puddled white muslin curtains, high-tech lighting and a giant screen TV.

Embroidered cushions added a splash of color to the otherwise neutral ivory and cappuccino color scheme.

What to do at this cool Bodrum beach hotel?

Guests rise late, breakfasting at longish tables, attended by young staff in long white pants and T-shirts.

The men linger over coffee and casual newspaper-reading, while the women check their smart-phones.

Afterwards, the scene shifts to the rock beach, where friendships are struck while guests tan on cushions on wood-planked decks built over the water.

The sea is mirror-calm – perfect for climbing down the ladders for a dip.

Dinghies also zoom in, bringing couples from sleek white power yachts and polished teak gulets, anchored offshore, for Macakizi’s famed barbecue buffet lunch or hedonistic, early-evening bar party.

Who’s visiting by boat?

Only the Islamic muezzin’s call to prayer at regular intervals, drifting loudly across the turquoise bay, reminds you that you’re in a mostly Muslim country.

That wraps up our review of Macakizi Hotel, Bodrum!

Bottom line? Macakizi is one of the best hotels in Bodrum.

Note: The hotel is closed from November through to mid-April.

Macakizi Hotel, Bodrum: See other Macakizi reviews and check rates


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Review of Macakizi Hotel in Bodrum, Turkey

Our top travel tips and resources

Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!

Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).

Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)

Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!

Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.

Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.

Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.

Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)

Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.

If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!


Photo credits: 3 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Remaining photos Macakizi


We stayed at Macakizi as media guests. But 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.

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