Ahama Hotel
Tucked into the curve of Gunluklu Bay on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, Ahama feels like a place that was discovered rather than built. Protected pine and cedar forest runs down to a private beach on the Mediterranean, and the hotel sits somewhere inside that transition between canopy and coastline. It became part of the Relais and Chateaux portfolio shortly before opening in May 2025, the first Turkish seaside property for the group.
The accommodation splits between 29 woodland guest houses and 30 private cabanas, each opening onto terraces facing either forest or sea through floor to ceiling glass. Materials are raw and natural throughout. Timber, stone, and concrete softened by linen throws, woven rugs, and shelves stacked with hand thrown ceramics. A two bedroom villa sits discreetly out of view with its own pool, private beach, and wide views across the Aegean. The rooms are designed as sanctuaries rather than hotel rooms, and the difference shows in how long people stay in them.
The dining program runs four restaurants with distinct identities. Ege Umi handles Aegean seafood with Japanese precision, serving sardines in ponzu and quince glazed tuna belly steps from the water. AY is built around an open fire with slow cooked lamb, charred aubergine, and grilled flatbreads. Mezkla sits on the beach with Mexican flavors, citrus dressed ceviche, soft tacos, and mezcal cocktails. The Glasshouse is the all day anchor, serving slow breakfasts of figs, tahini, sourdough, and eggs through to evening dishes of grilled peaches with labneh. A local wine list and a cocktail program that shifts from crisp and citrusy by day to stronger pours in the evening run across all four.
Wellness is the foundation rather than an add on. Sound baths in a forest temple, ecstatic dance in an open air pavilion overlooking the sea, yoga and meditation woven throughout the daily program, visiting practitioners leading workshops and private treatments from deep tissue massage to energy healing. A cold plunge and a eucalyptus scented steam room shaped like a dinosaur's egg sit at the forest's edge. The approach is intuitive rather than structured, closer to a way of living than a scheduled activity list.
