A resort in Turkey offers a taste of the Indian Ocean highlife without the airmiles or the price tag.
Many of us have dreamed of flying off to the Maldives to live it up in a stunning over-water bungalow with its own deck and direct access to the sea, but there is a fairly big catch.
The exorbitant cost of a flight and hotel means it’s a pipe dream for your average Brit, the Daily Star reports.
Whizzing out to the Maldives generally cost about £750 in economy class, and that's before you've shelled out for a sea plane to take you to your hotel at a cost from £966, according to Atoll Transfer.
It is possible to get a boat from £40 per person, but even going down this route, you won't have much change from a grand.
The hotels themselves can cost thousands each night especially if you choose an over-water bungalow, which is central to a lot of people's Maldivian dreams.
If you want to capture much of the glamour of the famed island but don't fancy flying halfway across the world and mortgaging your house doing so, then a very similar experience in nearby Turkey at the tip of the Bodrum peninsula can be had.
A return flight to the area can be bagged from just £64 in June on Skyscanner meaning you’ve already made a significant saving.
Once you're there the Lujo Bodrum resort is the place to for a little Indian Ocean charm, albeit on the Med.
Lujo Hotel A’La Carte features three private beaches to choose from, with all filled with pristine white sand and surrounded by turquoise, crystal clear water.
There are also plenty of loungers with parasols or private cabanas to relax in – some of which stretch out over the ocean just like an over-water bungalow.
If you prefer to swim elsewhere then there are four different outdoor pools surrounded by daybeds, egg-shaped couches and and green lawns. Some are infinity pools, one is on the beach.
Kids can get entertained at Kijo Club where water slides, private music classes, art supplies, Lego and laser tag are all in plentiful supply.
A heated indoor pool is also available for those who was to escape the sun, while a spa is the perfect place to get pampered and pummelled by the masseuses. A salt room, sauna, Turkish bath, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness area and gym should leave you feeling loose and relaxed.
You can choose from a huge range of suites, duplexes, villas and rooms. Some have sea views, others look out across the lagoon and there are even some that are swim-up – so you can climb out of the water and onto your own private terrace.
“All rooms are luxuriously decorated and provide private balconies or terrace. Nestled within spectacular boulders, villas come with private pools and a garden," writes Booking.com.
"Forest rooms offer magnificent sea view and located under the pine trees. Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.
"Certain units feature walk-in wardrobe and a seating area where you can relax. All rooms have a private bathroom. Some of them come with double sinks. Extras include bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries.”
There’s also a waterpark on site for plenty of fun with six slides, a spiral ride and mini versions for kids. Plus, you can enjoy cycling tours, volleyball, video games, yoga, Pilates, darts, aqua aerobics, Zumba, tennis and basketball.
There’s are incredible on-site restaurants which serve nine different cuisines to try, plus the a la carte option Teppanyaki serves tasty meats and fresh seafood. The Pablo Esco Bar offers vintage whiskeys and hand-rolled cigars.
TUI writes: "This place backs up its massive size with a huge list of facilities. You can take your pick of three private beaches, eight restaurants, 14 bars and a sports offering that could rival the Olympics."
The hotel is still fairly expensive, with rooms on booking.com from £699 a night. But, considering the much lower flight and transfer, costs it’s still cheaper than a trip to the atolls of the Indian Ocean.
Alternatively, TUI offers a package deal with flights and five nights at the Lujo Hotel Bodrum from £1985pp all-inclusive in October 2023.
