Avalon is high, very high, above the eye-wateringly beautiful beach of Kabak Bay. From its improbably turquoise waters, backed by a strip of white sand and pebbles, the pine-clad Taurus Mountains push steeply up to 1000m and more: there are few places on the Med as narcotically seductive as this. And this charming place to stay matches the setting.
Staggered amongst pine, olive and fruit trees around a sea-facing infinity pool, Avalon’s 11 rooms take the form of wooden bungalows, all with small private gardens or decks and a slice of that stunning view. The ‘less is more’ approach to their design and décor feels perfect in a context of such great natural beauty, whilst the ‘think locally and ethically’ mission statement of the British owners sets the bar for small hotels in Turkey. The food is fresh, home-made and superb, the welcome genuine, and the place every bit as enchanting as the island of Arthurian legend after which it’s named.
Highs
- It’s worth staying for the views alone
- The caring approach of Val and Frank and their excellent team make Avalon even more special – and it's great value, too
- A footpath down to one of Turkey’s most beautiful beaches
- Food so good that you’ll be forgiven for eating all meals in house (choose between B&B or half-board rates)
- Each bungalow feels secluded, whilst the restaurant and pool make for easy socialising with other guests
Lows
- It's a little remote (30 minutes' drive from the nearest village, Oludeniz), but that's the joy of it
- It takes about 20 minutes to negotiate the rough path down to the beach, and a lot of huff and puff to get back up
- Not much in the way of on-site entertainment, but simply being here is enough to fill your days
Best time to go
Avalon is open from April to late October. May and June are ideal, as they’re a little cooler than July and August, when temperatures often soar into the 40s. September and October are also lovely, with chillier evenings but a warmer sea.
Our top tips
Make sure you pack a snorkel and flippers, or pick some up on your way through the town of Fethiye as you drive from the airport (the hotel has a few snorkel masks for guests use). And take along a star chart: the night skies here are simply unbelievable.
- Boutique Hotel
- 11 rooms
- Restaurant & bar (open daily)
- Ages 16+ only
- Closed: 22 Nov 2024 - 31 Mar 2025
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The wooden bungalows fan out to either side of the pool and dining area, among olive, pine, carob, fig and pomegranate trees. Each has its own mini garden or deck or both, and an all-glass façade that brings in the soaring view. We loved flinging open our French windows and pushing chairs out onto the deck, where the sea views are nothing less than spectacular. The décor is a little old-fashioned but thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind.
Inside are four-poster kingsize beds, planter’s style chairs and spacious cubby holes designed for luggage and hanging space. The wooden furniture was made by local craftsmen, and the spare decorative detail - embroidered cushions, Turkish rugs – sits well against all-white linen and floors of Siberian pine. Bathrooms are spick and span, with surfaces of shot-blasted marble, piles of towels (including some for the pool), and showers with corner seats. Beds and windows are draped in mozzie nets, and there’s air-conditioning should you prefer it to the breeze. In synch with the get-away-from-it-all vibe, there’s no TV.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Mosquito net
- WiFi
Eating
With a setting as memorable as this, all meals in Avalon's open-fronted restaurant and bar feel special. Vegetables and herbs are grown on site or nearby, and everything else comes fresh from local farms and markets.
The big Turkish-style breakfast could easily morph into brunch if you’re a late riser. Food is served at your table, with a festive array of dishes: seasonal fruits and salad, Turkish cheeses, homemade borek (paper thin sheets of dough filled with cheese and herbs), local jams, honey and peanut butter and fresh bread from village bakeries. The coffee is excellent and eggs can be cooked to order.
At lunch you can choose from the likes of homemade burgers, menemen (Turkish omelette) and salads. For dinner, you are invited to order ahead from a choice of meat, fish, vegetarian or vegan main courses which are served with a soup and followed by a home-made cake or pudding. The meat is top-notch: my main was an adana kebab that was as good as any I’ve had in Turkey. There’s also a short wine list featuring reds, whites and rosés from Kavaklidere, Turkey’s oldest winery. And if you prefer to dine out, you’re just a short walk or drive from several excellent restaurants.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Walk down to the beach at Kabak, where you'll find a pristine strip of white sand and pebbles, plus a few bars and restaurants. The busier, but equally lovely, beach at Kidrak is a 15-minute drive
- Other nearby attractions include the Saklikent gorge and Butterfly Valley
- Grab your snorkel and flippers: what’s beneath the water around Kabak is almost as beautiful as what’s above
- Hike part of the Lycian Way, a long-distance coastal footpath that loops straight past Avalon
- Take a boat trip along the coast from Kabak to visit some of the most enchanting coves and beaches in the Med, or sail out to the island monastery of St Nicholas
- Head off by car to explore some of the stunning archaeological sites of ancient Lycia: Xanthos, Sydimia, Pinara and Patara are all close by
- Take an extraordinary tandem paragliding flight from high above Oludeniz
- Or just spend a day with a book and that view, either by the pool or on your private deck
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Paragliding
- Scuba diving courses
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
Kids
Avalon accepts adults only, and there are no extra beds.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Avalon is set on a hillside high above Kabak Bay, 30km south of the town of Fethiye and 20km from the village of Oludeniz, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.
By Air:
The closest airports are Dalaman (70km) and Antalya (230km), which are both served by plenty of flights - click on the links below for a list of airlines. It's an hour and a half's drive from Dalaman airport - you can ask the hotel to arrange transfers, take the bus, or hire a car (see below).
By Car:
You won’t need a car if you plan on spending most of your time on the beach, but if you want to hire one to explore the area then see our car rental recommendations. The hotel has free parking for guests.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com. 
More on getting to Turkey and getting around
Airports:
- Dalaman 70.0 km DLM
- Antalya 230.0 km AYT
Other:
- Beach 0.8 km
- Shops 20.0 km
- Restaurant 0.8 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 8 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape