Kalkan

Born into a family of keen travellers, I have never had much say in where my family goes on holiday each year. With the endless choices and possibilities in the hands of my parents, I’ve simply gone along with their preferences, happy enough if it meant I could splash around in a pool all day. However, now, as a teenager, I’ve started to develop my own ideal of a ‘perfect holiday’. From playing mermaids in the pool with my sister to being irritated purely by her presence, my priorities and needs have changed and the things that once kept me entertained are no longer enough.

Kaş

Kalkan Regency

In 2023, my family and I visited Turkey for the first time. We stayed in a charming villa called The House of Dreams, tucked away from the main bustle of Kalkan. Though we enjoyed the peace and quiet up on the hill, my parents soon found themselves craving a little more activity – great! On the recommendation of our rep, we booked a traditional Turkish bath treatment at a lovely hotel called the Kalkan Regency. On the way there, we couldn’t stop talking about how excited we were, wondering what the experience would be like.

Never in a million years did I expect what came next. Placed in a large chamber, we were scrubbed from head to toe, my arms and legs covered in thick foam before a sudden waterfall of soapy liquid was thrown over my head. I walked out of that room drenched and speechless, completely in shock. My parents, on the other hand, were already laughing and rushing to book their next session.

Traditional Turkish steam bath

Afterwards, we grabbed some lunch at the hotel’s outdoor bar and simply took in our surroundings. Guests and staff socialised easily, chatting and laughing in the sunshine. The pool was vast and refreshingly cool, perfect for the scorching heat. And although I’ve never liked the idea of sharing my own pool with strangers, I found myself willing to start from now. Though the memory of the Turkish bath remained very prominent in my mind I still turned to my parents and said, ‘we have got to come here next year’. And so, we did.

After spending a lovely week in Kaş, we found ourselves back at the Regency in 2024. Upon arrival, the staff greeted us with warm smiles and handed us refreshing drinks—exactly what I needed after a long drive down those winding roads in the hills. Not even ten minutes later, we had all made our way down to the pool: sun cream applied, towels in hand, and ready to dive in. What amazed me most was how quick and easy it was to make friends there. My parents had already acquainted themselves with all the other families staying at the hotel, while my sister was perfectly content indulging in as much ice cream as she could manage. Even as a socially awkward teenager, I didn’t find it difficult to talk to the other kids my age – even if it took a little nudge from my mum - and, surprisingly, I’m still in touch with many of them today.

Regency Gardens

Regency Gardens

Regency pool and garden suite - Lynx

Regency pool suites - Virgo

One of my favourite parts of the trip was the weekly barbecue night hosted by the hotel. The entire place was transformed. Rows of candle-lit tables were arranged around the glowing pool, with live music playing softly in the background. The real showstopper, though, was the extravagant arrangement of food. There were meats, fish and a wide variety of colourful meze dishes, all generously stacked across three or so tables. People rushed up and began piling on everything they set their eyes on!

As the night went on and everyone began to feel full, the hotel staff gathered around and started performing a dance routine to the live band's music. Soon they were trailing between tables, inviting guests to join in. The whole thing turned into a kind of upgraded conga line. With everyone dancing along the edge of the pool, it might’ve looked a little ridiculous to some (especially considering most of us couldn’t dance at all) but it ended up being one of the most exhilarating and memorable nights of the trip.

Even as a 15-year-old, someone who under normal circumstances would rather disappear than dance in front of people, I found myself more embarrassed at the thought of sitting out. And I’m so glad I didn’t, because I left that night with some of the most amazing memories of the Kalkan Regency.

Another unforgettable experience at the Regency, especially as a teenager, was the boat trip on their private gület, the Poseidon. Cruising along the aquamarine waters, Poseidon takes you to hidden caves and secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat. The trip includes stops at three different swimming spots, where a stair ladder is lowered, letting you jump off the platform into the crystal-clear water for a swim or a dive.

For those who prefer to relax, there’s plenty of comfortable seating and loungers, both in the sun for tanning and in the shade to satisfy the more cautious (usually mums). A delicious three-course lunch is served on board, along with snacks and drinks handed out throughout the trip, perfect for someone like me, who seems to get hungry again the moment I’ve finished eating.

Now, having experienced it three times, I can confidently say: it’s not a holiday in Turkey without a trip on the gület, and if you want to stay somewhere that your teenage kids will love you for, Kalkan and the Regency is an excellent shout.