How to beach in… Fethiye, Turkey

There’s a certain thrill in discovering a place that still feels secret. Not secret in an off-grid, no-electricity sense, but in the way an unlisted address can make a seasoned traveller feel as if they’ve stumbled upon something truly their own. That’s precisely the allure of Yazz Collective, a low-slung, eco-conscious retreat tucked into hushed Pinaralti Bay on the Turkish Riviera near Fethiye. Accessible only by boat, it originally opened in 2021 with just 16 rooms.

This season, Yazz has grown to 36 suites, each with its own private pool and generous terrace, allowing more people to experience its joys without ruining the vibe. Despite the growth, the sense of intimacy remains untouched – discretion is still the prevailing luxury here.

Yazz was conceived as a sanctuary for the creatively minded (and their pooches): people who appreciate natural beauty, design-led spaces and a sense of belonging without the buzz. The journey begins with a short ride from Boncuklu Bay across aquamarine waters – no roads, no parking lots – before disembarking at a floating pontoon that hints at the low-impact ethos to come. In an age of over-curated escapes, the property offers something rare: a place that feels unclaimed, like a cove you’ve found first.

This hideaway reimagines luxury with unpretentious interiors, a creative crowd and zero-distraction tranquillity. The setting – forest-backed cliffs meeting clear, shallow sea – is classic Turquoise Coast, but the vibe is more Mykonos-in-the-70s. It attracts the chicest of the chic, with billionaires on private yachts moored in the bay.

Architecturally, the stone-and-wood guest houses – laid out discreetly across the hillside – are inspired by local building vernacular, with clean-lined façades and breezy interiors in a palette of sand, sage, buttery yellow and terracotta. Interiors are minimal, not monastic, with ceiling fans, open-air showers, yoga mats, handwoven textiles and just enough raw edge to feel grounded rather than fussy. There’s an outdoor spa for massages and facials, plus a leaf-shaded outdoor gym for those who want to maintain their beach bods between beach visits. But it’s the sense of cultural layering – and a refusal to shout – that gives Yazz its slow-burn magnetism. This is not a party scene, nor a silent retreat – just a carefully balanced in-between, drawing a discerning crowd that prefers linen to labels and is thrilled to know they’re in on something quietly special. Plus, it hosts art exhibitions, outdoor film viewings on the beach and live music.

Days unfold unhurried: swims in bathwater-warm sea, tea under the pines, yoga facing the horizon. Yazz Restaurant serves seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired plates that rely on local produce and a deep pantry of coastal flavours. Think wild greens in bright olive oil, grilled calamari with a hit of lemon, or a slow-roasted lamb shoulder that melts at the touch. Plates arrive scattered with aromatics, anchored by whatever the sea brought in that morning. For casual bites, snack on warm focaccia sandwiches with grilled vegetables and goat’s cheese, truffle fries or citrus-marinated shrimp tacos. Light plates meant to share over a lazy afternoon by the sea.

Accompanied by vinyl classics, there’s Yazz Unplugged, while Yazz Craft Bar hides in the olive trees, all sea views and open air. Come golden hour, records hum, ice clinks and drinks bloom with garden-picked garnishes.

New this year is a beachfront restaurant that sets the day to a sun-soaked Mediterranean beat. It kicks off at noon with the tang of salmon tartare and crisp wood-fired flatbreads. Bowls come piled with smoky chicken and black rice, burgers drip with jus and grilled peppers, and pastas burst with citrus and brightness – laid-back plates for sun-warmed hours. Easygoing grooves roll straight into golden hour – made for barefoot lunches, chilled rosé and the kind of afternoons that slip into evening without anyone checking the time.

If, on the other hand, you’re after a design-forward stay that’s easier on the wallet, Club Marvy in Özdere hits a sweet spot between bohemian charm and family-friendly ease. Nestled on a pine-fringed stretch of the Aegean coast about 300km to the north of Yazz Collective, it blends sustainable style with a barefoot vibe. Expect a plethora of pools, open-air yoga, but also a spectacular kids’ club with different venues for each age group and multilingual, experienced staff – plus great food and just enough edge to keep it from veering into resort cliché. Buono Italianio, their à la carte restaurant headed by Rome’s only Michelin-starred female chef, Cristina Bowerman, features fresh pasta made with ingredients from Marvy’s own organic farm.

For something even more opulent, head to Biblos Alaçati on the Çeşme peninsula in western Turkey, a high-gloss hideaway at the intersection of beach life and boutique chic. It’s a full-tilt, spa-drenched fantasy – think sea-facing suites, flawless service and treatments at the sprawling subterranean spa that might just shave years off your face. The sandy beach is understated, allowing the watersports to shine: Alaçati has one of the finest windsurfing bays in the world. Meftun serves Turkish classics with quiet confidence – wood-fired kebabs, delicate zucchini blossoms and herb-bright mezes, all beneath ancient olive trees. After dinner, wander through the lemon-scented, bougainvillea-drenched gardens and wave at the koi swimming past.

Don’t forget: Start the day at Yazz with a swim in the glassy, windless bay – just you, the light and the salt-kissed sea. Bring a camera if you must, but some moments are better kept unframed.

You’ll love: Join the kids on the daredevil waterslides at Club Marvy. From slow and sedate to adrenaline-rousing rockets.

Stay at: Yazz Collective (yazzcollective.com); Club Marvy (clubmarvy.com); Biblos Alaçati (biblosresorts.com).