Whether it’s relaxing in the Dalyan Mud Baths, sailing through the Göcek islands, unwinding in a luxury spa, hiking in the Verdant Mountains or indulging your taste buds in delectable cuisine – Dalaman is the ultimate health, fitness and wellbeing destination for 2016 and beyond
With the Dalyan Caretta Run half marathon just finished, now is the perfect time to start training for the next one.
Sabi Phagura caught up with Tunç Batum, General Manager of Hilton Dalaman Alaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa to ask him why this stunning region of Turkey should be on our bucket list in 2017.
LM: What is it about Dalaman that makes it the ultimate health and fitness wellbeing destination?
TB: There are a number of reasons why Dalaman is regarded as the ultimate health and fitness wellbeing destination. Whether you are looking to relax in the Dalyan Mud Baths, sail through the Göcek islands, unwind in a luxury spa, hike in the Verdant Mountains or indulge your taste buds in delectable organic cuisine, the destination has something for everyone. Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa in particular, is perfect for those looking for a wellbeing getaway. It is surrounded with the natural beauty of lush green forests and white sandy beaches and enjoys a low humidity level because of this. The resort provides a number of sporting activities for those looking to get active, including biking tours, step bike, Kangoo jump, pilates, Zumba, tennis, scuba diving, volleyball, basketball, fitness and spin bike. We also provide various retreat activities including Yoga and breathing therapies, as well as special dietary food alternatives and detox programmes. Spa treatments like Hamam, Jacuzzi, various massages and skin care treatments are in our daily service range.
LM: We hear the Caretta turtle half marathon in Dalaman has just taken place. How many people take part and where do these people come from?
TB: This was the first time this event was held in the Dalyan/Dalaman area (where the Caretta turtles nest and live during their lifespan) and it was a huge success. There were over 750 registered participants from all over the world including Turkey, Europe, UK, Scotland, Ireland, and South America.
LM: What is the spa like at The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa ?
TB: The spa centre is established on an area of 6000 m² and consists of two sections: Byblis Spa (free of charge) and Elysion Spa (additional charges apply). In total it contains 22 Care Rooms, (4 of which are VIP), 2 VIP Turkish Baths, 4 Saunas, a Steam Room, Walking and Resting Pool, Beauty Centre, Hairdresser, and Fitness. The spa itself is architecturally inspired by the Roman and Hellenistic culture and the spaces are all given mythological names.
LM: What special treatments can be found at the spa?
TB:
- Caci –Ultimate Anti-Aging And Lifting Treatments for Facial and Body. Caci helps rejuvenates the skin and treats facial wrinkles, ageing, cellulite and skin cracks. It also uses micro-currents to help tone and lift the body.
- Ozone Sauna Cabinet – Ozone, or “activated oxygen”, is introduced into a special steam sauna cabinet, where it then is absorbed transdermally (across the skin) of the occupant. The result is a health effect on the occupant that combines the beneficial oxygenation and detoxification effects of both Ozone and Sauna Therapy.
- Body Treatments using Themae products, including Oriental Massage, Singapore Massage and Themae Wellbeing Onsen Ritual. All of our Themae massages and rituals are undertaken with as much care as the Teishu-Japanese Tea Master dedicates to the preparation of his special potions. It is our aim to bring warmth and softness to every treatment in the style of the celebrated Kerela masseurs who given gentle and effective Massages for generations.
LM: Could you tell us what the spa suites are like?
TB: There are 10 duplex Spa Suits which are 96 m² in the Spa centre. Our guests staying at one of our Spa Suites are able to have their spa treatments in their rooms if they so choose. Within each room is a massage bed, Jacuzzi and sauna. Perfect for a couple or honeymoon!
LM: What fitness facilities does the hotel have?
TB: We have an indoor fitness centre which is open 24/7 for guests who desire to continue with their day to day workouts. Other sports activities are available by the help of our professional team of trainers, including plates, Zumba, spin cycle and Yoga.
LM: What are the benefits of the Dalyan Mud Baths and thermal springs?
TB: The Dalyan city is home to an attraction that is unique to just a few places in the world – the famous mud baths and sulphur hot springs. These mud baths are touted to have medicinal benefits for the skin due to the nutrient rich nature of the mud. Rheumatic diseases, arthritis, and eczema are just a handful of many conditions that the mud is reported able to benefit. The concept of a mud “bath” is taken literally as the mud is filled into a small swimming pool that visitors can immerse themselves in before washing off in the warm thermal springs. The Dalyan Mud Baths have been popular throughout history, with some saying that Cleopatra herself used to visit, and the baths are also popular amongst A-list celebrities including Dustin Hoffman, Sting and Jack Nicholson. As the mud baths and sulphur pools are located on the far side of Lake Koycegiz on the outskirts of Dalyan, the most common way to reach these attractions is by boat.
LM: What kind of food is offered both in the hotel and around the resort?
TB: International and local varieties are served in five A la carte restaurants in Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa, as well as one main open buffet restaurant. Cuisine is everything from Teppanyaki, Sushi and Asian Cuisine, Indian Cuisine, Italian Cuisine, Aegean Sea Food, Turkish Cuisine and a wide selection of dishes served in the open buffet restaurant.
LM: Describe Dalaman as a destination and what guests can expect from the resort.
TB: Dalaman is a district of Mugla which carries the traces of many civilisations that were established thousands of years ago on the most fertile lands of Anatolia. Dalaman is a coastal area of natural beauty set against a backdrop of mountains close to many areas of historical or geographical interest. The town itself is ideally situated nearby such resorts as Dalyan, Gocek and Sarigerme and unlike other vibrant holiday resorts is still extremely tranquil with unspoilt beaches, ancient ruins and parks including Caunos, Lycian rock tombs and the superb Sultaniye thermal spas and the famous Dalyan mud baths. One way to see the unspoilt aspects of the region is to trek the Lycian Way.
The scenery between Fethiye and Antalya is breath-taking and for much of the stretch, the only humans you are likely to see will be the friendly farmers who tend their fields or the goat herdsmen as they walk their tinkling charges to the pastures each day. Paragliding in Dalaman and Fethiye has also become very popular and Olu Deniz is now the host for the International Air Games held each October. Other activities to try in the area include bird watching, visiting the incredible remains of Kaunos empire, watching the Caretta turtles preservation land and exploring the 12 islands of Göcek by boat. Dalaman Airport serves as a gateway to the tourists who visit this part of Turkey every year, which has direct flights from the UK.
LM: Thank you for your time.
TB: My pleasure and hope to see you soon at the resort
You must be logged in to post a comment.