The Times 11February 2006 When money is no object The Dome Kempinski is the grandest of Belek's luxurious hotels, and even though it is sumptuous, children are welcome. There is a kids' club and many double rooms with interconnecting doors. The Times 11 February 2006 Luxury afloat For lazy days at sea, try spending a few days aboard M/Y Halas, a luxury floating hotel converted from a First World War passenger ferry, a bit like walking into the pages of an Agatha Christie novel with its teak furnishings, impeccable service and glamorous 20s-style decor. The Daily Mail 07 January 2006 ... Gocek- a very pretty small town with its own marina, filled with treasure troves of mosaic lanterns, carpets, and slippers. We landed at Dalaman, and were whisked for 25 minutes along winding coastal roads to Gocek, where we were booked into the Inn at Swissotel, owned by the same company who run Singapore's famous Raffles Hotel- so we had high expectations. We were not disappointed. The rooms-overlooking the pool with their own patios- were spacious, the beds huge and, mercifully, for the heat was intense- the air-conditioning worked splendidly. Later, as night fell, we took the little golf cart shuttle down to the beach for an unforgettable dinner served at candle-lit tables at the end of the pontoon. A few gulets were moored nearby and all around us was subtly illuminated by underwater lamps, with the silhouette of the majestic mountains behind. But there was not a building in sight. As a shooting star burst across the sky, we realized just how unspoilt this vast country would prove to be. Next morning, we headed for the sandy beach and while some of us sunbathed, others parasailed or accompanied them in the speedboat. That night we found dozens of restaurants in the little town to choose from. The reps from upmarket newcomer Elixir holidays had already impressed. Better still, we had been told our booking had been upgraded........ Hello Magazine 25 January 2006 M/Y Halas- cruises on the Turquoise Coast The odyssey starts here: Built in 1914, this 15-cabin luxury cruiser plies the waters of Turkey's Turquoise Coast. In its former life, the historic motor yacht carried Allied troops during the Second World War before becoming a passenger ferry on the Bosphorus. Now its interiors are resplendent with four-poster bed suites, she could be something from an Agatha Christie novel, all shimmering lights and teak interiors. Ottoman and international cuisine are on the menu. During May and June, M/Y Halas will gently cruise the Bosphorus, the sea of Marmara and the wooded Princes' Islands, a popular summer retreat from Istanbul, where Byzantine emperors once sent bothersome royals and political figures into exile. From July to October she'll anchor at the smart southern Turkish resort of Gocek, a favorite of the late Princess Margaret, for flat-water cruises to the Gulf of Fethiye and the Twelve Islands, each dotted with delightful bays and discreet holiday homes for the rich and famous. One of them was the honeymoon hideaway for Cleopatra- and was reputedly a present from Mark Antony. Hello Magazine 25 January 2006 Start a revolution Not ecstatic about the view from your bedroom window? Then simply wait a few minutes and - effortlessly and imperceptibly- your panorama will change. The revolving Loft, part of the Marmara Antalya hotel, is the world's first and only hotel that rotates through 360 degrees, completing a full circle in a matter of hours. That's not all that's different about this high-spec hang-out. All 24 rooms also have a bath placed sociably behind the bed so that you can soak and chat. The hotel has a gym, spa and outdoor pool, but as it is on a clifftop, you need to ride the lift down to the sea and bathing platforms. Also close to the cliffs- two huts where you can enjoy Balinese massage. Dizzy stuff. Hello Magazine 25 January 2006 Go Underground In the heart of Cappadocia, 1200m above sea level on the Anatolian plateau, lies an extraordinary landscape. Rock churches and vast underground cities are hidden away in a labyrinth of tunnels and caves, topped by stalagmite pillars worn by wind and rain into "fairy chimneys". Once a safe haven for early Christians seeking shelter from the onslaught of invading armies, now many of the caves have been converted into snug holiday accommodation. None more so than the Sacred House, an aristocratic mansion hewn out of the rock, crammed with candelabra, icons and ornate fireplaces. Each of the seven rooms has a different theme: Chevalier could have featured in the epic film Troy; The Full Moon suite, which you enter through the bathroom-with jacuzzi-would be ideal for honeymooners. But perhaps the most striking is the Old Chapel, which once served as the mansion's private church. Whichever you choose, owners Turan and Talin serve delicious Greek, Turkish and Armenian dishes, plus afternoon tea and cakes. Fresh lemonade and cherry liqueur in crystal decanters await you in your cosy cave bedroom. Sweet dreams... The Hello magazine 25 January 2006 The simple life If you fancy the simple life, make tracks for Ucagiz and Kale- if you can find them. Land comes to a full stop at Ucagiz at the end of a meandering road. To get to Kale, you need to take a boat. The mysterious Lycians, believed to have originated in Crete, buried their nobles in richly decorated rock tombs on these bleached hills, though ordinary citizens had to make do with squat stone sarcophagi that now litter the shore and even cottage gardens. An old Crusader castle encircles the hilltop. In Ucagiz, quirky alleyways lead to fish restaurants and characterful shops, and local boatmen make trips to view the ruins of the sunken city of Kekova, shimmering eerily below. Your stay at Kekova Cottage, a converted house with eight rooms at the water's edge in Ucagiz will be all about tranquility, relaxation and retreat. Comfortable rather than chic, the en suite bedrooms have four-posters and wooden verandas over the sea, but they're not for the bright lights brigade, so take a good book. Please contact us directly Tel: +44 (0) 20 7722 2288 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7722 5131 [email protected]