This Coastal Retreat Lies Between Olive Groves & the Turkish Riviera

It is an unfortunate aspect of life that we often (due to work, traffic, men) find ourselves simply unable to function and in dire need of literally any coastal escape. On the other hand, it is also a fortunate aspect that we can just do this: pack up everything besides one’s laptop and head where the birds sing, the waves swoosh and the sun glistens on the water. 

But where does one go when tired of moving? When one simply yearns to just…stay? Well, it seems that the Turkish Riviera, particularly Bodrum, might just have the answer. 

Having debuted in Bodrum over the summer, Bobo by The Stay is perhaps the luxury destination we need to cure our burnout ‘booboos’—and yes, dear reader, I could not help but make that very questionable joke. Perched high above the Aegean Sea, Bobo by The Stay is the Turkish Riviera’s latest coastal crown jewel, tailored specifically to adults yearning for an escape so far off the grid, not a single email can reach them. 

Featuring 22 cylindrical rooms and suites with immersive views of Bodrum’s Cennet Bay and its surrounding centuries-old olive groves, Bobo—part of The Stay Hotel Group—is the textbook definition of quiet luxury. Designed by Turkish architect Mahmut Anlar, the hotel’s brilliance lies in its blurring of the lines between interior and exterior, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in all the light the Turkish Riviera sun has to offer. 

Minimal, spacious, and easy on the eye—and soul—the rooms at Bobo by The Stay aesthetically reflect the ease one seeks to acquire in their mind. The furniture, mostly white and speckled with brown tones, perfectly complement the pearl-hued walls, with fluid, organic décor dotted throughout. 

Yet, a luxury stay would not be complete without a state-of-the-art spa, which Bobo proudly boasts, alongside an open-air gym. From saunas overlooking the Cennet Bay to ice-baths that will give you the physical sensation of a screenshot, The Stay Spa is a holistic retreat through and through. Allowing guests to “train alfresco”, the outdoor gym is fully techno-equipped with an on-site personal trainer ready to push you to your limit…but not too much, we’re trying to relax here after all. 

When you’re done soaking up the views—and soaking in your joggers—you’ll naturally need sustenance, and that, Bobo has by the bedazzled bucketload. Bobo’s eponymous restaurant serves all sorts of coastal cuisine, yet for those with a particular palette that craves variety, Dragon Restaurant serves Pan-Asian classics worth travelling for. And for those sunset dates, Paraliaki Restaurant whisks you off to Greece for the night. 

When all is said and done, what one should do after experiencing everything Bobo has to offer, is simply spend the days lounging by the beach. With a limited capacity of 100 sunbeds reserved exclusively for guests, this private beach is where you go to lose yourself in the soft whoosh of the waves and—not necessarily but heavily recommended—a feel-good rom-com novel.