Last month we revisited Icmeler staying at the beautiful Sea Star and accompanied by friends who were first time travellers to Turkey. I won't lie the journey was quite long, 12 hours door to door with a flight of over 4 hours and a transfer of nearly 2 hours ... but it is worth every minute!
Our last visit was in May 2018, so much has happened since then, none more upsetting than the forest fire in 2021 which burnt all of the mountain behind the hotel. Luckily it didn't breach the main road but it must have been such a scary experience for those in Icmeler at the time. The brown mountain earth is slowly returning with signs of new growth but it will take a while.
Sea Star is an adults only small hotel, we felt like long lost friends retuning with hugs from many of the staff and a lovely welcome gift in our room. We have actually brought the wine home to enjoy here reminiscing about of Turkish retreat.
Icmeler has everything, if you want loud music and nightlife there are plenty of bars in the town; if you want a stroll along the sea front the promenade stretches right around the bay. Turning away from the town the promenade continues all the way to Marmaris. We took the ferry boar, a half hour journey across the bay with views of all the grand hotels including Sea Star. The boats are quite small, very basic but such fun, the pilots must have been sailing across the bay for many years as they steer the boats in quite a casual manner.
Marmaris itself is a much busier place, lots of bars and restaurants, a grand bazaar where you can buy anything you want. It's a maze of covered walkways where you are often encouraged by the shop owners to buy things you maybe didn't realise you did want, although without any hassle, quite an experience.
We had a great day out wandering around, although it was a little warm with the temeratures over 35°C. Along the harbourside we paused for lunch, only realising after we had sat down that this was the bar Hubby and I had visited before. The super expensive yachts were amazing, as were the pirate themed party boats, we often see (hear) them sailing across the bay out into the open sea.
Taking another small ferry boat out towards the Meditereanan we also visited Turunc, a much smaller place than Icmeler. The journey, sailing on the turquoise sea, is itself amazing as you pass by the many beautiful rock formations.
Our week's holiday was a chance to relax and with Sea Star being all inclusive the only worry we had was which cocktail to try next. I think between us we tried them all; some were definitely enjoyed more than once but others were most certainly one offs.
The food was delicious, every meal time there was plenty of choice with chef also preparing food on the outside grill. My favourite was the sea bass, filleted and cooked to perfection, although Turkish night with kebab meat in hand rolled flat bread was also a highlight. Our waiter looked after us really well, reserving a table poolside every evening and knowing exactly which drinks we all preferred.
It was lovely to be there again, and we will certainly be visiting Sea Star in the future, maybe in a couple of years as we have many more places to visit ... but it is like going home so it won't be too long.
Thank you Sea Star, especially Melis, Saygin our waiter and Mehmet.
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