Amanruya, Bodrum

It is not difficult to fall in love with the Aman Resorts, as evidenced by how the returning customers like to call themselves: the ‘Aman Junkies.’ It’s a testament to the genuine following the Aman Resorts brand inspires. 

The drive from the airport took about 30 minutes. As the access road to the resort weaved its way through a hillside forest, we eagerly awaited the first glimpses of Amanruya.

The resort descends via a series of terraces down to the sea, with well-spaced villas organically scattered throughout the property. Meandering pathways and paved roads link them, often steep and just wide enough for an electric buggy to pass.

The Amanruya Experience

The resort reinterprets the Aegean and Anatolian design vernacular and Ottoman heritage. The resort’s layout resembles a hamlet of local farmhouses. The tall windows and porticos reflect the grand houses on the Bosphorus, known as the Yalis. Fragments of antique stone blocks used as quoins add a flavor of local heritage.

Natural and timeless in its simple design palette, the Amanruya provides a sense of space and luxury.

But it’s only one part of the Aman experience. The other part is the inconspicuous service, including what we call “the ninja housekeeping” (because you never see them). The team knows exactly when the guests are out and doesn’t waste a minute checking the villa, making it immaculate with no detail overlooked. 

Dining at Amanruya

We usually gave them plenty of time anyway, lounging with drinks on the huge mats in the bar by the sea or lazily extending the (fantastic) breakfasts almost until midday, by the main pool.

Our Turkish breakfast faves at Amanruya were: Menemen, which is a soft scrambled egg with tomato, sweet pepper, and onion; Çılbır, or soft poached eggs with warmed yogurt, smoky paprika, chili oil, garlic, and olive crostini; and Gözleme, a savory hand-rolled pastry, Turkish ricotta cheese, or potato.

Amanruya doesn’t really have a single-building restaurant as such. Instead, the dining is spread over terraces, halls, and rooms arranged around the infinity pool. This adds to the feeling of freedom and relaxation.

Enjoying the simple things

The experience at Amanruya made us think about enjoying the simplest things. We savored every moment here: from a candlelight dinner or a buggy ride with a chatty concierge employee to a refreshing swim in the sea.

And we’d spend hours browsing the impressive collection of books and albums in the Library. Here, another delightful detail: the staff always prepared a jar of homemade fruity drink for the occasional library guests.

in our opinion

Peaceful, private, secluded, and relaxed, with the Aman hospitality at its best. Amanruya is the most exclusive resort in the Bodrum area.

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What we love

• Tranquility. All you hear is crickets and bird songs.
• Well-spaced villas with large pools, a secluded beach club, and plenty of spaces to relax and dine.
• The immaculate design of villas, quality of finishes, and furnishings. The villas have a huge by-the-pool cabana, deck chairs, outdoor rain shower, and a large garden with ground-covering aromatic winter savory plants in place of a grass lawn.
• Feels like you have the resort to yourself: we only saw other guests at breakfast or at the Beach Club.
• Great à la carte breakfasts, with fruit, muesli, pancakes, fresh mixed juices, and our Turkish favorites.
• Beach Club, hidden amongst old pine trees, with every couple of deck chairs set on their own private platforms.
• Complimentary afternoon tea served in the lounge or villa.
• Complimentary limousine pick up from the airport. The journey takes only 30 minutes, with water, almonds, and apricots served on the way.
• The legendary Aman service.
• The food: prepared on request, using fresh local ingredients.
• The Library—a freestanding 3-floor tower, with a beautiful sitting room on the top floor.

What you should know

• Sea views are limited overall, as the resort is located in the forest, 150 m from the sea (due to local building regulations).
• The villas close to the highway are less peaceful as the noise from passing cars is discernible.
• It is a remote place, with no local shops, bars, or restaurants nearby; however, Bodrum is only about 15 minutes by car.
• The Beach Club is quite far on foot, but you can always call a buggy.
• The hotel grounds span a large area on the hills and feature many steep pathways and steps.