Inside Six Senses Kaplankaya: The Biggest Spa In Europe

On the northern coastline of Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula sits Six Senses Kaplankaya, one of the most spectacular wellness resorts in the world. 

At Six Senses Kaplankaya, you’ll find state-of-the-art facilities, dreamy design, high-end gastronomy and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.

Six Senses Kaplankaya sits apart from the main tourist hub of Bodrum. Rather than going south toward all the other resorts, Six Senses is located in the opposite direction towards the northern tip of the Peninsula. The drive to the resort will take you through rustic forests where black goats roam freely in the hills. Once you arrive at Six Senses Kaplankaya, there’s nothing but silence, serenity and beautiful views of the Aegean in every direction.

Kaplankaya is a sprawling property that stretches from the mountains to the sea. The resort boasts four restaurants, five private beaches, indoor and outdoor pools, wellness center, yacht marina, state-of-the-art fitness center and the biggest spa in Europe. As you explore the property, the Mediterranean flora and stone architecture over sparkling sea views harken back to ancient Aegean civilizations. Six Senses Kaplankaya is a seamless blend of contemporary design and luxury with a powerful sense of place and time.

The resort has 75 guest rooms in the main building and 66 Ridge Terrace rooms on the cliff overlooking the family beach. All of the guest rooms in the main building have a sea view of the calm, endless horizon. The hotel also offers 3-to-5-bedroom Pool Residences in the villas in the upper hills, each of which comes with ocean views and private infinity pool.

The design of the rooms is earthy and serene. The design uses local natural materials to create a space which seamlessly fits in with the surrounding environment. Straight wooden beams accented with native geometric textiles envelop you in a heavenly cocoon where you can find physical and spiritual rest. There’s a natural fluidity to the layout of the rooms which makes it effortless to float from one part of the room to the next. Each room features a spacious balcony or terrace where you can take in the zen and beauty of the outdoor surroundings.

Six Senses Kaplankaya proudly boasts the biggest spa in Europe, making it renowned primarily as a world-class wellness destination. The spa features plenty of cutting-edge features that even the most seasoned spa fanatics wouldn’t have experienced all in one place. Spread across three floors the spa features Turkish hammams, crystal steam room, Finnish sauna, experiential rain showers, watsu pool, salt grotto, meditation cave, igloo and salt grotto. There are multiple gendered and mixed relaxation lounges, as well as a mixed hammam.

As expected from a spa of this caliber, Six Senses Kaplankaya offers an impressive array of personalized wellness programs, fitness activities and spa treatments that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Guests can sign up for personalized wellness journeys that last from three to fourteen nights. Such journeys are centered around goals such as longevity, weight management, sleep and de-stress, fitness and detox. The programs include fitness and wellness assessments, private yoga or pilates, personalized massages, sleep tracking and full board wellness cuisine.

One of the most exciting features of Six Senses spa is access to world-renowned therapists and practitioners that visit the property throughout the year. Whether you want to learn about naturopathy with a healer or talk to an NLP-certified lifestyle coach, Six Senses provides access to eclectic wellness experts right on property to guide guests in their unique journeys.

The resort also has a wellness center for those who want to stay for medical recoveries and healing. The wellness center has the staff and facilities for health screenings, physical therapy and doctor assessments.

The resort has plenty of excellent dining options to please all appetites. Health nuts, get ready for the most spectacular breakfast buffet of your life. Six Senses does not skimp when it comes to providing fresh, healthy and wholesome foods for guests to start off their day. Every morning, guests can dig into amazing produce, nuts, yogurt, honey, herbs and juices. There are some hot food items available as well, but the focus is on nutritious foods that will feel good for your body. Breakfast is served at Sage and Sea in the main building. Sage and Sea also serves an international dinner menu and has a spectacular terrace where you can catch sea views with your meal.

Meze by the Sea is our favorite restaurant on the property, simply for its beautiful setting overlooking the ocean and authentic Turkish food on the menu. At Meze by the Sea, you can dine under twinkle lights hanging from olive trees while listening to the sounds of the sea. There are elevated preparations of traditional Turkish mezes like octopus salad in vinegar and eggplant that’s beautifully roasted with spices and topped with shrimp. You can also order your pick of freshly caught fish of the day plus high-end signature cocktails.

Other restaurants on property include Wild Thyme which serves modern Pan-Asian cuisine in an airy space overlooking the lounge pool. Ortakoy Beach Bar & Barbeque Grill is the fabulous al fresco restaurant right on the beach. The beach bar features a Drinks Master who can skillfully whip up craft cocktails, mocktails, juices and any other beverage that tickles your fancy. Meanwhile, the grill serves fresh or grilled local items to snack on.

The Alchemy Bar is a fun feature that you definitely won’t get at any other property. The Alchemy Bar is a gorgeous space next to the spa which functions as a laboratory and classroom. Each day guests can partake in eclectic classes and workshops like making their own face masks, hair masks, body scrubs and cosmetics from scratch with natural ingredients.

There’s a seemingly never-ending program of fitness and wellness classes that guests can sign up for every day. There are group yoga sessions, morning walks along the coast, kayak tours, guided bike tours and the whole gamut of watersports from jet-ski to windsurfing to snorkeling.

As expected from any resort of this size, you can call buggies to take you from one part of the resort to another. The hotel also offers shuttles which take guests to the main beach at Kaplankaya Bay every hour. Guests can set up boat rides to go out and explore the beauty of the coastline and cliffs surrounding the property.