Neo Dalyan Villas – Kaunos

One of just four luxurious, detached villas on this exceptional site, Villa Kaunos sits in lush, sub-tropical gardens that run all the way down the villa’s own river beach and jetty, with plenty of room for rest and play. It’s a very privileged spot to sit with a quiet drink and watch the birdlife that flocks to this protected area, or hop aboard the included kayak or SUP and get even closer to nature as you meander along the gentle flow of the Dalyan river. With luck you’ll be joined by a terrapin or a stately loggerhead turtle, or catch the silvery flash of a flying fish arcing out of the reeds.

The setting may be timeless, but the villa is state-of-the-art contemporary and superbly equipped. All the bedrooms are en-suite, the living space is generous and the pool is glorious, complete with a separate shallow section for your little ones. Alfresco living is front and centre here, with a fantastic outdoor kitchen that’s fully equipped with everything from an air-fryer to air-con! The upstairs bedrooms have balconies for the best views of the river and mountains beyond, creating a peaceful atmosphere that’s far removed from the relative bustle of Dalyan. You’ll certainly want to visit the town however, which has a wonderful choice of riverside restaurants, local shops and a lively weekly market, plus views over Dalyan’s iconic Lycian rock tombs, all within a ten-minute walk or easy bike ride of Villa Kaunos.

You can of course swim in the river at the end of the garden, but if you prefer the sea, Iztuzu beach comprises 4.5km of unspoilt sand, a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute boat trip away. The beach is an important breeding ground for loggerhead turtles, so development is kept to a minimum whilst still providing everything you need to enjoy this unique spot. And if all you want is to enjoy your time with family and friends, guests have access to a whole range of optional extra in-villa services, including a private chef, evening meal deliveries and massage/beauty treatments to make your holiday as effortless and relaxing as possible.

In our opinion, these villas are quite simply the best in the area thanks to their high calibre interiors and unbeatable location, and offer excellent value compared to properties of a similar standard elsewhere.

Our choice of Turkey properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.