Where to stay in Turkey

Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, Turquoise Coast

What's so special?

This new resort is located on its own private bay on the Bodrum peninsula, in the southwest of Turkey. It offers seclusion from other holidaymakers, fantastic sea views and exclusive beaches.

How they rate it

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

"It's hard to imagine a more laid-back yet sophisticated and exclusive retreat," says Terry Richardson in The Daily Telegraph. Other than the odd passing yacht on the horizon, "once you enter the grounds there's nothing to remind you of the outside world".

There are two private beaches as well as an "elegant pool complex" just remember to bring swimming shoes, as the soft sand on the beach is imported and if you enter the water you will encounter hard Aegean pebbles. The rooms are decorated with "restrained elegance", and come with a decent-sized verandah.

The menu

The resort hosts ten different places to eat and drink. Olive Garden serves "excellent Turkish cuisine" by the beach, Kurochan offers Japanese-Asian food, or there is Assaggio, "with its own stunning pool", serving Italian dishes.

The cost

From £558 for a garden view suite. Visit www.mandarinoriental.com/bodrum or call 00 90 252 311 2888.

Hillside Beach Club, Fethiye

What's so special?

Hillside, like the Mandarin Oriental, is an impressively luxurious resort based around a beautiful Turkish bay on the Aegean coast. However, if you are taking the kids with you on your luxury break, this is the resort to go to The Times reckons this is the best family-friendly hotel in Turkey.

How they rate it

"It's hard to believe that there are 300 contemporary but simply furnished rooms here, staggered up the pine-covered hillside," says Jane Knight in The Times. "The resort actually feels small and exclusive."

As you might imagine, there is plenty to do. The kids' club offers "imaginative, fun activities that range from an archery competition to building your own robot". There are lifeguards on the beach and by the pool to watch out for children plus there are two adults-only beaches if you feel the need to escape.

The menu

You can choose between the evening buffet, "which is always excellent, with lots of fresh, well-cooked produce and a horribly good dessert section", or a "tasty" Mediterranean la carte restaurant.

The cost

Seven nights full-board costs from £632 per person including flights with Thomson Holidays. Find out more about the resort at www.thomson.co.uk or call 020-3451 2688.

Enjoy a private jet for a budget airline fare

Most of us assume that we will never fly by private jet, unless perhaps we win the lottery. But, according to Corey Charlton in the Daily Mail, this needn't be so there's a way to travel in the lap of luxury for a fraction of the price. "Tickets could be available for as little as £138."

How? You take a seat on a private jet when it is "repositioning" in other words, when the jet is having to fly empty in order to get to where the people who have chartered it need it.

PrivateFly"is encouraging travellers to buy up empty legs', flying with a jet that would otherwise be travelling without passengers... By making the most of an empty private jet and negotiating directly with the owner, the company claims groups can enjoy all the perks of elite travel, without thesky-high prices."

The newspaper found anopportunity for a group of seven people tofly by private jet from London to Corsica for£1,650 just £235 each.

That's a bargain for the type of travel we'retalking about but do be aware of thepotential drawbacks.

Firstly, you have tobe flexible about where you want to go andwhen, as this all has to be fitted aroundthe needs of the person who is actuallychartering the plane.

Also, there is the chance that you couldfind yourself stranded within minutes of take-off, as the flightcould get cancelled without notice if the person chartering theplane changes their plans. But, if you are prepared to be veryflexible, it seems it is in fact possible to grab a private jet flightfor less than an economy seat elsewhere.