How to do Kalkan like a pro

Hotelier Robin Hutson is founder and CEO of the Pig hotels portfolio but has a thing for the coastal Turkish hideaway of Kalkan.

Here are his best-loved spots...

Fish Shack

Perched on a hill rising above the beach and enveloped by olive, walnut and fir trees, the unofficially named Fish Shack is a stilted terrace scattered with sun-bleached sofas. Owner Yuksel produces great piles of tomato salad, grilled aubergine with zingy cucumber and yoghurt dip, chicken kebabs and grilled fish from his tiny kitchen. There’s no address — but ask a local to direct you to “the restaurant in Firnaz Bay”.

Villa Mahal

Villa Mahal sits atop the southern tip of Kalkan Bay, a six-minute boat hop from town. Hutson has been going for 20 years. It reveals itself slowly: a narrow, winding path leads you to the water’s edge, passing by the bougainvillea-fringed terrace, infinity pool and clusters of whitewashed villas, which house 13 stylish bedrooms and suites.

Patara beach

This sandy stretch is 11 miles long, making it the perfect spot to work on your tan or take a dip without having to jostle with fellow tourists. It’s also a

17-minute drive away from Xanthos, an ancient city and Unesco World Heritage site with beautifully kept ruins.

Tas Evi

A slick, contemporary affair with minimalist white interiors, top-end furnishings and an infinity pool overlooking the bay, this luxury villa, which sleeps 10, is just five minutes’ walk from town. It’s an ideal base for discovering Kalkan’s more “urban” pleasures – strolls to the labyrinth of alleyways for sundowners and alfresco dinners are followed by shopping for prettily painted ceramics and silver jewellery. korsankalkan.com

Kalkan Wellbeing Centre

Hammams abound, and Hutson’s wife Judy recommends the Kalkan Regency Hotel. Its Wellbeing Centre offers the traditional Turkish bath administered by a tellak: a person who gives exfoliating scrubs and soap massages. The scrub, kese, removes dead skin and opens up pores, while the soap massage makes for a squeaky clean finish.

Details

Red Savannah has seven nights at Villa Mahal from £1,155pp, inc flights. Tas Evi starts at £2,000 per week.