Exclusive Turkish resort Caresse, Bodrum celebrates tourism

Exclusive Turkish resort Caresse, Bodrum has won a coveted industry accolade.

Spa Caresse was named top ‘Luxury Destination Spa’ in the World Luxury Spa & Restaurants Awards, the hotel has revealed.

“We’re thrilled to have been recognised with this prize and extend our thanks to our many guests who took the time to vote for us,” said Makis Antonatos, General Manager of Caresse, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Bodrum.

“We always aim to deliver memorable experiences and go the extra mile for our customers.”

Caresse, Bodrum is just a short-haul flight from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, making it popular among high-net-worth travelers from the Arabian Gulf. Sitting upon rolling hills overlooking the Aegean Sea, the property offers awe-inspiring views of the gorgeous Mediterranean coastline. Spa Caresse which faces the sea, has been designed with this outlook in mind, with double-height windows and an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Even the music is unique. The hotel’s ‘ambience manager’, who job is to engage guests’ senses, has created a soothing soundtrack that is free of wellness clichés such as whale music. However, it is the traditional Turkish hammam that stands out.

Often reserved by private bridal parties for wedding day pampering, this enticing space offers the timeless benefits of steam matched with modern-day massage techniques. For instance, the Caresse Rose Experience starts with a thorough scrub of the skin using a traditional mitt called a kese, followed by a rose soap foam massage, a nourishing marine mud body mask, refreshing rose hair cleanse and a cool soothing rose ice ritual.

More unusual offerings include Shirodhara, a form of Ayurveda therapy that involves pouring liquids gently over the forehead. Locally sourced indigenous herbs are used in several of the spa’s own treatments, all of which start with a revitalizing mint foot ritual. They include the two-hour Caresse Retreat, in which clients’ senses are further invigorated with a natural salt scrub infused with spearmint and menthol, followed by the resort’s trademark poultice massage.

A shorter offering, evocatively named Drift Away, is a deeply therapeutic four-handed massage focusing on the scalp, neck and feet, which uses pressure point techniques to provide a feeling of total relaxation. The 40-minute ritual ends with a sleep-inducing tea infused with indigenous herbs from the region and a soothing lavender eye pillow.

The World Luxury Spa Awards are presented in 32 categories on a national, regional, continent and global basis. Voting is cast by spa guests, more than 100,000 of whom took part in 2017. Spa Caresse was also nominated as Turkey’s Best Resort Spa in 2016.