Ece Boutique Hotel Sovalye Island

Part of the Twelve Islands group in the Gulf of Fethiye, Sovalye is the closest to the mainland and the only one to be inhabited. Just a 7-minute boat ride from Calis Beach, or 20 minutes from Fethiye itself, Sovalye feels like a different world: there are no roads and no cars, just a string of small sand or shingle coves overlooked by tasteful private residences perched along the hillsides amidst pine and carob trees. Sovalye has become popular with writers and artists, drawn here by the peacefulness and the quality of the light, but you don't need to have creative tendencies to enjoy a holiday on the island, just the desire to switch off and succumb to complete relaxation.

The Ece Boutique Hotel comprises just 12 rooms spread across two buildings. All the rooms are light and airy inside, and extremely spacious (Standard Rooms are approximately 35 square metres, Superior Rooms 45 square metres), each having a comfy sitting area and an en suite shower room. Most importantly, each room has balcony or terrace with magnificent sea views, and as all the rooms are west facing, you can make the most of the stunning views at sunset. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning (warm and cold), safety deposit boxes, minibars, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryers and telephones; WiFi is available free of charge. The majority of the rooms have a double bed but there are also three rooms with twin beds. The Superior Rooms can accommodate a third person on a sofa bed, and there is also one suite with two bedrooms (one double, one twin) for up to four people.

The hotel is owned by Erdogan and Handan, a charming husband and wife team who named it after their daughter. At its heart, you will find the Terrace Restaurant where breakfast and light lunches are served, and a small but perfectly formed swimming pool, and from here, steps lead down to the hotel's private waterfront and jetty. For dinner, the hotel's restaurant Ada is set in a separate building close by, and is also popular with non-residents.

A 10-minute stroll takes you to the beach club at the tip of the peninsula, where hotel guests and day visitors can relax on sun cushions whilst listening to the sound of the waves gently lapping the shore. To walk the length of the island takes around 45 minutes, or you can circumnavigate it in a canoe in just over an hour. Swimming and snorkelling in the usually calm and crystal-clear waters around the island is an absolute delight, for submerged just off its shores lie the ruined remains of earlier settlements dating back to Roman times. Snorkelling equipment, canoes and kayaks are available free of charge for hotel guests (subject to availability). Should you occasionally fancy a change of pace or scenery, you can visit Fethiye and Calis using the hotel's courtesy boat service.

Please note that, due to the steep nature of the terrain, the Ece Boutique Hotel is not suitable for those with walking difficulties or of limited mobility. For the same reason, and to maintain the tranquil atmosphere, the hotel does not accept children under the age of 14 years.