Turkish Delight at Phokaia Beach Club in Foca
After a pleasant four-hour flight to Izmir and a mere 1.5 hours in our air-conditioned transfer coach, we arrived at the impressive Phokaia Beach Resort – new in Mark Warner’s summer portfolio. This beautiful resort is located about 10 minutes from the small, typical Turkish seaside village of Foça – famous for its pretty fishing boats and modern sailing yachts with an array of high quality seafood restaurants right by the harbour with stunning views over the sea.
We arrived at the resort late evening and after a very speedy check-in process were greeted by dinner and drinks in the bar. I caught a first glimpse of the beautiful gardens and the incredible free form swimming pool with lovely daybeds dotted around.
I stayed in a superior, spacious and well-appointed double (with an interconnecting room, should you travel as a family with younger children) and a walk-in shower. A lovely Juliet balcony invited me for an early cup of tea the next morning and allowed beautiful views over the resort and the sea.
After a plentiful breakfast buffet, which we enjoyed on the sunny terrace, we got ready for our tour around the resort, which offers a Turkish Bath, excellent spa facilities, a heated indoor pool, a state of the art gym, a small shop and a carpet seller. What the Phokaia resort is famous for, of course, are the superb water sports, tennis, mountain and road cycling facilities and its outstanding childcare amenities.
The engaging and experienced water sports team talked us through the many options of activities when attending our morning ‘beach introduction’ talk. The large bay at Phokaia Beach Resort is perfect for novice as well as seasoned sailors, windsurfers, kayakers, SUP boarders, water skiers and wakeboarders. There’s even a local PADI dive team that offers free ‘pool try dive sessions’.
Over the next two days, we tried our hands at all of the above water-based sports as well as an introductory tennis lesson, fitness classes in the modern, open exercise pavilion - and played volleyball with the sports team and cycled to nearby Foça.
I had the chance to view the different types of accommodation available at this fabulous resort. Apart from twin, double and superior rooms (most with balconies and some with extra sofa beds or interconnected rooms) in the main hotel building, we viewed the family rooms that are located underneath the main pool area and are made up of a double bed plus spacious bunk beds. All the family rooms are ground floor with a terrace leading out to the gardens. If you are travelling with a larger family, you can choose from one of the stunning 2-bedroom villas for up to 5 people. I liked the fact that a villa holiday doesn't have to be isolated or set in acres of land with only a pool for activities – here customers get all the benefits of a Villa holiday PLUS the added benefits of having all the facilities on site.
To finish our tour around the resort, we got to see the excellent childcare facilities on offer. There are childcare clubs from the age of two to 17 years of age as well as a baby club from four months (which is payable). I watched the junior club having their own sailing and windsurfing fun sessions and the mini club playing in the shady fully equipped playground before they enjoyed their high tea and free evening childcare.
One of my highlights was our evening bike trip to Foca, where we explored the small shops and discovered a delicious ‘nut shops’. Here I found the best home-made Turkish Delight (in numerous flavours such as rose, pistachio, pineapple and coconut and even chocolate) and mouth-watering nougat. I loaded my small backpack with as much Turkish delicacies that it could hold – a welcomed souvenir for my family and friends back home! Our guide had booked a large table in the fabulous seafood restaurant ‘Sahil’, located right by the harbour, which guaranteed fresh fish from the fish market directly onto your plate. The owner greeted us and even provided some Turkish live music to enhance our lively evening out. After a complimentary, digestive drink called ‘Raki’, we promised to return on our next holiday to Foca!
What can I say about the food at the Phokaia Beach Resort? The restaurant offered an array of Turkish inspired dishes (as well as pizza and pasta etc for the less adventurous eaters). Included in the full board option are daily breakfast, lunch served in the main restaurant and five dinners per week. On your ‘two dining out evenings’ you can explore the many restaurants in Foça or remain at the hotel for an abundant Turkish barbeque or some snacks at the beach bar (at an extra cost).
My favourite place, however, were the gorgeous daybeds (cabanas) and hammocks where you could relax in the shade and read a book or simply have an afternoon siesta. And not to forget the lively seaside bar where I enjoyed a sundowner drink or two whilst watching the most beautiful and romantic sunsets. One evening, our group took part in the hotel’s quiz night, organized by chief bike guide Alex.
After a few very active, yet relaxing, days exploring and enjoying all that this fabulous new resort had to offer, sadly we had to say goodbye to Turkey and return to our offices to introduce this holiday destination to our own clients.
If you would like to find out more about Phokaia Beach Resort or would like me to cost up your own active holiday, then please get in touch with me. I can highly recommend it to anyone.