TURKISH DEFINITION OF LUXURY
LOCATION
The Turkish Riviera is synonymous with glistening turquoise sea and luxurious resorts. Its crown jewel, Bodrum, is dotted with five-star retreats and endless sand beaches. Once known as Halicarnassus, this coastal outpost was flocked to even in the ancient world as travellers journeyed to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, though, most visitors skip the museum hopping and revel in the secluded privacy of opulent resorts. One of the newest is Lujo Resort, which opened in 2018 on a rugged crop of land surrounded by pine trees and the Aegean Sea. Seeping into the surroundings, the design of the hotel building, restaurants, and villas that constitute the resort appears organic and natural. With mesmerising views, either from the resort’s restaurants, infinity pools or private beach, the location is ideal for a resort hotel. Some twenty minutes away from the town of Bodrum, Lujo Resort may be away from the urban happenings, but the privacy of the location is one of the reasons guests jet here.
ACCESSIBILITY
Bodrum is well-connected to Turkish destinations and beyond. The local airport has daily connections with Istanbul, while budget airlines have been scheduling direct flights to this Aeagan destination from metropolises like London. Guests will need twenty minutes to reach the resort and the city from the airport. The hotel offers shuttle services, but the taxis are affordable, too. Guests arriving by car can park in the hotel’s parking garage, lined with electric charging stations. Travelling sustainably from Istanbul requires a day of commuting. Thus, most guests opt for air travel. Once at the resort, you can zigzag through the resort by hailing one of the buggy drivers who will whisk you away to your room, villa or apartment. Lujo Resort is a small town of its own, where guests have such an abundance of activities at hand that some prefer to stay within the safe confines of the resort. Regardless, the old town of Bodrum is near, and reaching the resort is a walk in the park.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
Perched on a rugged outcrop, protruding from the Aegean Sea, Lujo Resort seems to be a thorn among roses at first glance. But at closer inspection, the resort comes alive with verdant forestry and organic materials that seep into the natural landscape. The central building is a round, monolithic tower with an elegant facade. Once guests enter through the automatically closing massive wooden doors, they will be awe-struck by the centrepiece – a staircase topped with a canopy that reminded us of a bird’s nest, spiralling down to the ground floor and the reception. The impressive interior design includes exquisite materials that leave a lasting impression. The rest of the resort stretches over a kilometre in this private bay. The design of the villas, restaurants, music arenas and infinity pools screams prestige. We were most impressed by the design of Koza Restaurant. The use of dark wood on the ceiling of the outer terrace resembles waves of the Aegean Sea. Inside, the tables are adorned with black cages and climbing monkeys. While striving to be highly modern, the hotel also pays homage to typical Turkish architecture. The Sensum Spa is a sanctuary where guests can enjoy an authentic hammam experience. Lujo Resort is a wonderland for design-savvy travellers, as the details surprise at every step. Even the resort’s social media posts follow a unique design and concept. Superb!
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
The number of staff working around the clock in such an enormous resort is remarkable. Our first impression was positive, with the check-in being efficient and swift. Depending on where your room is, you can be whisked away to your room with a buggy driven by friendly porters. Each guest is assigned a so-called Joy Advisor, a staff member dedicated to meeting their whims. Although the reception team and the concierge were welcoming, the service during breakfast was underwhelming. Our wait extended beyond ten minutes. During peak hours, the management should designate more staff to serve the guests at breakfast. Luckily, the a la carte breakfast met all the expectations for a five-star resort. The range of international classics, paired with staple Turkish dishes, will convince even the most demanding clients. We enjoyed the excellent espresso and freshly squeezed orange juice, which is often an exception rather than a rule in meeting hotels.
Lunch at Koza Restaurant was splendid, with superb meat dishes, including grilled lamb, signature sushi and a copious dessert section. What impressed us most were the young mixologists at Pablo Esco Bar, whose mastery behind the bar is second to none. Given hospitality in resorts revolves around unparalleled service, we held higher expectations for Lujo Resort. It may have been the end of a long season, but the staff should have tried to go the extra mile, particularly given the price tag of an overnight stay.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The rooms, villas and apartments within the resort vary according to size, but all share premium design, spaciousness and sea views. We stayed in the Forest Room, encircled by lush pine trees, giving the room a touch of the Meditteranean. Upon stepping foot in the room, we were impressed by the spaciousness, as the room stretches 55 square metres, which is above standard even for resort hotels. The pastel colours of the curtains, the elegant dark wood and the beige-hued tiles combine to create a memorable stay. The illumination was pleasant, although we missed more light around the terrace and sofa. The management of lights and curtains is controlled by a modern touchpad, which is user-friendly and advanced. A quality bed is paramount in a resort where guests stay longer. Ours did not disappoint. As befits a five-star hotel, guests can choose from a pillow menu that ranges from goose-feather pillows to bamboo and orthopaedic silicone pillows. The bathroom elegantly complements the room. We appreciated the two freestanding round sinks that ooze prestige. Bvlgari cosmetics in the shower are a welcome addition. The final touch is the jacuzzi on the terrace with panoramic vistas of Lujo Beach and the setting sun. We only missed a work desk in the room, albeit the focus group of the hotel are leisure travellers.
Meetings centre
Lujo’s conference centre is hidden in the main resort building. The Grand Ballroom is the main star, convincing guests with a refined look, subtle lighting and modern technical equipment. It can capacitate up to 900 attendees in a theatre setting. For the recently held Luxe Bodrum event, the organisers decided to merge meetings in the Grand Ballroom with lunches in Koza Restaurant in the adjoining building. Besides the possibility of hosting events in the classic conference rooms, Lujo Resort offers a slew of unique venues for events. Pool parties can extend well into the night here. The Puppet Theatre, a floor below Pablo Esco Bar, is our top pick for event organisers seeking an out-of-the-box venue. Courtesy of the glistening sun that shines year-round, open-air events can take place almost any time of year. In short, Lujo Resort offers an enviable number of quality event spaces, conventional and unconventional.
DESSERT – The extras
The Sensum Spa is a safe retreat from the bass and treble echoing from the beach bars. The steam room and hammam are a wonderful retreat and a genuine Turkish experience. Guests can also enjoy massages and treatments there.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Although an army is needed to maintain the machinery of the resort, it seems the staff is less attentive during the off-season. There are bright exceptions, but we felt somewhat neglected during breakfast.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Joy Advisor is a welcome initiative that enriches the stay of every guest. Whether craving a late-night meal or requiring a buggy ride to the beach, the team will meet your demands within minutes.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
Several initiatives must be implemented for a resort to be sustainable. At Lujo Resort, sustainability is not a priority yet. Barring reminders to reuse towels, we did not stumble upon any green endeavours. The management should consider using green energy and improving energy efficiency.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Resorts, it is often said, are made for leisure guests, with luxury in mind. Lujo Resort is one of Bodrum’s most luxurious resorts, ideal for leisure guests wanting a secluded stay on the Turkish Riviera. The holistic offering, impressive greenery and views of the glistening sea transport guests into an alternative world. We commend the organic design and the natural materials – stone and wood – that blend seamlessly with the local flora. On the other hand, the level of service and hospitality was flawless on some occasions and underperforming on others. We do not doubt the staff works like a well-oiled machine in the summer. Lujo Resort may not be for everyone, but the youthful style and concept (take the crimson-red uniforms of the staff, for instance) will cater to guests who cherish originality.
Bodrum is one of Turkey’s most expensive destinations. Consequently, the price for an overnight stay in such a luxurious and refined resort is rather high compared to European counterparts. But what justifies the price is the range of activities on offer, paired with above-standard prestige. We warmly suggest getting spirited away to this oasis of tranquillity when travelling to Bodrum.
FINAL GRADE: 4.94 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Resort Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
