BEAUTIFUL beaches, a vibrant nightlife and charming old town bring hundreds of thousands of people flocking to Marmaris. But many heading to this holiday hotspot in Turkey might not know about another of its gems — the Adakoy peninsula. Connected via the marina, it is often referred to as “paradise island”, where electric blue waters meet soft, golden sands backed by rugged, beige cliffs. This is where you’ll find Cook’s Club Adakoy. And if the land it sits on is paradise island, then this is paradise hotel. Opened in 2019, the hotel is a 20-minute water taxi ride from the main town and hidden by a small island known as Bedir. Inspired by its waterfront setting, the hotel has a sleek, boho-chic interior, with geometric-patterned cushions and rugs, rattan lampshades, macrame wall hangings and tiki parasols by the pool. Yoga retreats Most of the rooms, the pool, the restaurant and its private beach look out on to Marmaris bay — where, if you’re as lucky as me, you can spot dolphins gliding through the waters. There are 151 standard, club and suite rooms spread across the grounds, each unique in terms of its architecture and featuring local handmade textiles plus wicker and wooden furniture. Guests can pick from bed and breakfast, half-board and “Feel Free” (limited all-inclusive) packages. The latter includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, but premium drinks are excluded and there is no buffet-style food offering — minimising waste — meaning the all-inclusive price is kept reasonable. It’s not the hotel’s style that impressed me most, however. It was the activities on offer both within and around it. Behind the property are pine-clad mountains, part of the national park, perfect for exploring by foot. Highlights are ancient caves, about a 30-minute walk from the hotel, and plenty of impressive view points looking over the shimmering Mediterranean sea. In recent years, Marmaris has become a popular spot for yoga retreats, and to reflect this, the hotel offers daily yoga classes, at sunrise and sunset, from a platform on the water’s edge. For those like me, who are into more active holidays, there are water sports including kayaking and paddle boarding. It was during a morning on the water that I was lucky enough to spot the rare sight of dolphins swimming by. As well as a gym, there’s a spa with a newly built traditional hammam steam bath. Playing a major part in Turkish culture, these are typically built in a marble room and involve people being cleansed with an exfoliating mitt. I was once told you can think you’re the cleanest person in the world, but you never truly know how dirty you are until you’ve had a Turkish hammam. The backbone of all Cook’s Club hotels is its music. Each has a DJ who is an expert in mood music, playing the ideal beats for the differing times of the day. Cook’s Club Adokay isn’t a party place though, and the tunes reflect this. Expect daytime chill-out tracks to relax by the pool to, then popular songs in the evening while you sip drinks in the -Captain Cook Bar. Culinary mecca The hospitality and the innovative food concept are other reasons to visit. Always up for a laugh, staff made the place feel like a home away from home — the only difference being we were waited on hand and foot. At its Cantina restaurant there are no bland crowded buffets. Instead, food is prepared and cooked using fresh ingredients in front of guests’ eyes. You can order from seven different food stations serving all types of international cuisine, from fresh pasta to traditional Turkish dishes. Plenty of meat, vegetarian and vegan options are available. It’s a culinary mecca. I particularly loved the fact the menus change daily, so you can expect something different every day of your stay. Food favourites for me were the shakshuka for breakfast, stone-baked pizza for lunch (made in the biggest pizza oven I’ve ever seen) and freshly made pasta (the kind that is so good it doesn’t need sauce). I also loved the Turkish chicken kebabs for dinner, and the Biscoff cheesecake for dessert — all washed down with some local red wine and a Turkish tea. Extras worth knowing about are the beach cinema which is open on selected nights, with films shown on a projector set up by the sea, an on-site gelateria with hordes of flavours and toppings, and a boutique store selling summer garments, local merchandise and drugstore items. This village-style hotel really does have everything. But if you are wondering what Marmaris town is like, or you fancy a day away from island living, hop on a water taxi (for a small cost), and reach the main town in just 20 minutes. A slightly longer journey across the water (about three hours via ferry) will take you to Rhodes in Greece — if you want to squeeze in another country to what is already a bucket-list holiday.But with paradise at my fingertips, why would I ever leave?