Hotel & Beach club review: Macakizi, Turkbuku, Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey. 18th July 2012.

Note: hotel undergoing refurbishment process; completes winter 2012. Also, review based on a show round, lunch and an afternoon at the beachclub

It's Curbappeal:
- relaxed beachside chic
- beautiful hillside estate
- stunning indoor-outdoor public lounges, spa and beachclub

Style rating: whimsical

Crowd: largely Turkish, with a handful of Europeans and Americans. Families, couples and young groups. Generally stylish.

Cuisine: we only had the lunch buffet - wholesome, fresh and very tasty

Food rating: high

Rooms: (remember we didn't stay but we saw a fair few) old rooms beach shabby-chic, refurbished rooms lot more contemporary (light wood rather than white distressed)

The bill: probably on the high side

Recommended: yes. NB. make sure you arrive in style - by yacht or speed boat taxi

... Some photos straight from our iPhones...

Bar (in Hotel) review: Mamara, Bodrum, Turkey. 20th July 2012.

Note: we only had a brief visit; drink at bar for an hour or so and quick look around public spaces. We didn't see any rooms.

It's Curbappeal:
- panoramic view over Bodrum

Style rating: v mixed - some public areas of hotel funky others look tired, so overall bit confusing. Bar straight out of a dated 80s villa

Crowd: older. We largely came across Americans & Europeans, who all seemed little angry (not sure why). Bit of odd atmosphere

Cuisine: we just stopped by for drink

Drink rating: we tried frozen watermelon daiquiris' - alright but very very strong

The bill: reasonable enough

Recommended: Hmmm...nice view, nice breeze & chilled music so worth popping in for quick drink, but don't expect anything too stylish


... Some photos straight from our iPhones...

London olympics: ideas for the stylish tourist - more photos of the mega-yachts parked in canary wharf

It's Curbappeal:
- totally unique. Whilst you might spot one or two of these in the med, it's unusual to find so many in one place

Style rating: bling

Crowd: bankers and tourists

Recommended: highly - especially as its close to the Olympic site & lots of cafe's and restaurants close-by on the canary wharf estate

... Some videos straight from our iPhones...

http://socialcam.com/s/LQ1m9hNh

http://socialcam.com/s/jFG6pUpP

... Some photos straight from our iPhones...