Inside Yazz Collective: A Hidden Beach Resort In The Mediterranean

Europe, Hot Hotels, International, Travel

19th August 2024 | By Andrea Pinto

As far as birthday celebrations go, you know you’ve done well when you find yourself on a beach with glittering, crystal clear water lapping at your feet, sipping on a chilli marg (with one more on the way), as a labrador face-plants into the sea. It’s perfect. And for my first experience of the Mediterranean, my stay at Yazz Collective, an ultra-private hideaway along the Turkish coast, really sets the bar.

Yazz (translating to summer in Turkish) really lives up to its name. Because the summer holiday never ends here – whether you visit for the luxe beach club or for an escape into the wild blue. Here’s everything to know about this hidden beach resort in the Mediterranean:

First Impressions

The first thing that strikes me is the blue. Turquoise gives way to cerulean, and cerulean merges into indigo, as my speed boat slices through the deep, wild blue of the warm Mediterranean waters. The colours are arresting. And even though I spend three days on this little bay in Fethiye, it never gets old. As my boat docks on the private jetty at Yazz Collective, I have the odd impression that I have just sailed into a postcard. It’s clear, that this is the kind of place that invites you to leave real life behind. And I am only too happy to play along.

It’s clear, that this is the kind of place that invites you to leave real life behind. And I am only too happy to play along.

Sustainability lies at the heart of the resort, with the infrastructure, menu, ingredients and activities all planned keeping in mind the impact on the environment.

You won’t find plastic bottles, there are only glass water bottles here, and the rooms and facilities are built around the flora. When I arrive for an early dinner on the first day, I am told that guests prefer to dine after dark because the wasps like to play around the tables at dusk. It’s true- they do turn up, unfailingly, but while this might have been a big deal at another luxury resort – here, it’s an accepted part of life. You don’t disturb nature here, you work with it.

The Rooms

With just 16 rooms at the resort, Yazz is luxurious but intimate. The chic guesthouses are hidden away between the trees, and offer the utmost privacy – it’s hard to even believe that you have neighbours. Each room has its own private garden, and the suites offer outdoor showers. The interiors are earthy and soothing, with wooden cabinets and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the room with light. There is no flashy decor or shiny finishings, instead, the room almost feels like an extension of the forest. I find myself grateful for the air-conditioning when the temperature shoots up in the afternoon, which is when I retire to the comforts of the king-sized bed where I ponder over the extensive pillow menu. Not for long though, afternoons are meant for well-earned naps – after all, those hours of lounging on the beach, sipping chilli margs is hard work.

The chic rooms are hidden away between the trees, and offer the utmost privacy – it’s hard to even believe that you have neighbours.

The bathroom, fitted with a bamboo door, is stocked with locally made products, from body scrub to shampoo and conditioner – all filled in refillable containers. Modern comforts are all there, with Harman Kardon speakers, a well-stocked bar and a living room with a television – but you’ll rarely find yourself wanting to switch it on. There’s just something about Yazz Collective that makes you want to detach from the rest of the world and focus on what’s right in front of you – nothing but the forest, the sea and the promise of the catch of the day grilling on a wood fire, waiting for you.

The Facilities

A wise Ryan Gosling aka Ken once said, “My job is just beach.” Clearly, he’s holidayed at Yazz Collective. Your only job here is beach, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. A row of loungers border the property, with comfy Bali beds nestled between the rocks too, so you have your own little bedroom by the sea if you like. One side of the beach is reserved only for resort guests, and the tables between the loungers come fitted with buzzers so you can call for drinks and food which will be brought right to you. Grab some snorkels and look out for little fish who come to nibble your feet, or rent a paddleboard or Seabob for a slightly more high-octane beach experience. And if you are looking for something more than just “beach”, there are yoga classes in the mornings, movie nights, and art and craft workshops to keep you busy. There are also plunge pools hidden away between the trees that can be accessed all day and night and make for a lovely, serene spot for star gazing or sunbathing.

Food & Drink

My favourite part about the food and drink here is that it’s never too early for a cocktail or too late for breakfast. There’s no need to hurry out of your room in the morning to make it in time – you can order from the breakfast menu up until noon. The open-air dining area is perched right on the beach and is the heart and soul of the resort, transforming from a breezy all-day restaurant to a buzzing beach club as the sun goes down.

There is special attention paid to using seasonal ingredients and local produce, with seafood purchased from local fishermen, and herbs and vegetables picked fresh from the garden behind the resort.

Dinner at Yazz is the only time I felt compelled to dress up, partly because it’s when the very glamorous, very cool people sailing across the Mediterranean stop by to descend from their yachts and enjoy dinners on dry land at Yazz. A large wood-fired oven steals the spotlight, from the depths of which emerges perfectly cooked beef fillets, lamb chops and glorious smoked and slow-roasted beef ribs. As the night progresses, the restaurant effortlessly transforms from sunny alfresco restaurant to swanky beach club, until before you know it, there’s a DJ spinning beats, the lights are dimmed, and suddenly, it’s a party.

Things To Do Nearby

Since the resort is nestled in a bay that can only be reached by sea, you’re only options for adventures nearby are to take the boat to the mainland, or set off on a cruise and wander along to nearby islands for some wild swimming in secluded spots. The resort will be happy to organise boat trips ranging from a one-hour sunset cruise to an all-day outing that can take you across to visit the neighbouring islands, with plenty of opportunities to practice your best dives and swim in the crystal clear waters, where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean.

The resort works equally well for families travelling with kids as well as couples looking for an intimate getaway or large friend groups who are beach club hopping across the Mediterranean.