Lovely mountain views from Ocakkoy's main pool
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Ocakkoy
Turkey › Oludeniz, Ovacik and Faralya › Near Fethiye/Ovacik
A unique holiday village of restored stone cottages set in extensive grounds close to Fethiye and Oludeniz.
- Approximately 30 Studios and 1-bedroom Cottages for 2-4 people
- Self-Catering
- Two swimming pools, plus paddling pool
- Air-conditioning
- Transfers included
Tucked away in a peaceful woodland setting almost equidistant from Fethiye and Oludeniz, Ocakkoy is a shining example of sustainable tourism at its best. Ocakkoy was created in the 1980s from an abandoned hamlet, its founders carefully restoring the derelict stone cottages and turning them into simple but charming holiday homes that would enable travellers to enjoy the natural beauty of the Turkish countryside whilst staying in accommodation that would not impact negatively on this natural environment. Since those early, pioneering days, the harbour town of Fethiye has boomed, the beach resort of Oludeniz has grown considerably and even nearby Ovacik – then just a sleepy farming village – has developed into a small resort in its own right, but whilst this means that there is now a much wider choice of facilities and activities within easy reach, the atmosphere at Ocakkoy itself remains timeless and serene.
All in all, there are around 30 cottages, which as you would expect vary a little in terms of size, layout and outlook - some are detached, others adjoining, but all offer a reasonable degree of privacy, and each has a partially shaded terrace where you can relax and enjoy the views, the scents and the sounds of the countryside - bees busily buzzing from blossom to blossom, birds singing merrily in the trees and the invisible applause of the cicadas during those lazy hours when afternoon gradually turns to evening.
Inside, the cottages are full of traditional charm, with stone-flagged or wooden flooring, rough-plastered walls and authentically Turkish decorative touches. A few are open-plan studios with double beds and are suitable for singles or couples, whilst most have a separate lounge with one or two divan beds and can thus accommodate families of up to four people. Whilst the cottages do not aspire to being luxurious, they do offer all the basic necessities, such as open plan kitchenettes equipped for basic self-catering (with a two-ring hob, a sink and a small fridge), renovated shower rooms (in most cases leading off the bedroom) and mosquito netting across all the windows. As the thick stone walls provide good insulation, many guests find that opening the windows to let through a breeze is all that is required to regulate the temperature inside, but air-conditioning has been installed in all the cottages, and does come in handy during the height of the summer season.
The unique combination of Ocakkoy's rural, restful ambience with its convenient location just 6 km from both Fethiye and Oludeniz, makes it popular with a wide range of guests, from singles and couples to families with children or teenagers, and from relaxation seekers to those who prefer more active pursuits. Fortunately, the sheer size of Ocakkoy's grounds means that different tastes can easily be catered for, and even in high season when all the cottages are occupied, there is still plenty of space for everyone to enjoy themselves in their own way. A huge advantage is that there are three pools; the two original ones near the top of the village have been designated adults-only and are therefore perfect for reading and relaxing in peace, whilst the largest pool at the lower end of the site caters for families, who will also find a shallow padding pool, a Jacuzzi and a children's play area here.
Whilst guests spend their days in a variety of ways, in the evenings everyone tends to congregate in Ocakkoy's appealing terrace restaurant, where authentic Turkish cooking is served, and in the adjoining bar. A Turkish buffet breakfast is also laid on here every morning (payable locally), whilst for those who prefer to self-cater, the small on-site mini-market stocks basic provisions. Alternatively, a 10-minute walk back up the track that leads into Ocakkoy takes you to the Fethiye-Oludeniz road, where you can pick up one of the frequent dolmuses linking the two towns, so you don't need your own transport to have access to a large variety of restaurants and an ample range of shops. Should you decide to make a night of it, a taxi home is unlikely to break the bank, and the facilities of Ovacik can be reached on foot in around 20 minutes, so car hire is by no means necessary here, although those wishing to explore the region's historical sites may wish to hire a car for part of their stay.