BIJAL brings innovative services, immersive environments and well considered playful moments together to trigger imagination and creativity, enabling guests to adopt new perspectives on life’s challenges.
Leading Turkish hotel company Gürok Group, known for its exquisite properties including JOALI Maldives and JOALI Being, introduce their new brand BIJAL Resorts, with the first ultra-luxury all-villa resort officially launching in March 2024 in the Antalya Province, Turkey. BIJAL combines the outstanding Turkish hospitality the group introduced over 30 years ago with Ali Bey Hotels & Resorts, with the ultra-luxury experience they have acquired through multiple award-winning JOALI Maldives and JOALI Being.
The intimate, sustainably-minded, 19-villa resort designed by Autoban, responsible for various top hotel and restaurant projects worldwide, is hidden away in expansive grounds, including a pine forest – where the only audible sounds are cicadas and the breeze in the trees – as well as a pristine and unspoilt beach on the Turkish Riviera; the perfect backdrop for families, groups and couples to reconnect with loved ones and meet like-minded people.
The Psychology of Play and Travel
Revolving around the theme of play, with the motto “we see play everywhere”, BIJAL, meaning enlightenment in Hindi, is based on the insight that play processes have a positive effect on the mind and soul. Although usually associated with children, play is actually a crucial element for adults as well to aid relaxation and connection. The brand’s vision is to put play back into the lives of guests who have forgotten how to, with a stay designed to boost life energy and potential.
Outstanding service is provided throughout the stay with personal butlers allocated on arrival, allowing guests to truly switch off and immerse themselves in the experience. A range of playful activities are available to guests, with everything from painting workshops, through to pottery, zumba, sleeping under the stars, cooking classes, aqua-gym, games nights, cycling in nature, solving puzzles and events, such as Family Challenge and Murder Mystery, promoting laughter and fun through the celebration of life and human experience.
Villas and Grounds
Each meticulously designed one, two, three or four bedroomed villa at BIJAL comes with its own impressively sized private pool within a spacious walled garden offering total privacy. Every space is a masterpiece of modern sophistication, effortlessly blending comfort with natural materials and striking aesthetics to create an oasis of relaxation and style.
Guests choose from swimming in their private pool, the large lake-style pool at the ClubHouse or heading down the path lined with olive trees (five-minute walk or two minutes by bike) to the beach to dive into the clear turquoise Mediterranean or take a dip in the BeachHouse pool, complete with underwater sound-system. There is also a variety of watersports on offer, including jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and frantic boat.
Spa and Fitness
At the ClubHouse, the spa celebrates the art of self-care, offering a serene sanctuary where guests can reconnect with themselves; surrender to the healing touch of BIJAL’s spa therapists or embark on a journey of wellness and fitness in the state-of-the-art facility, which includes beautiful Turkish Baths, sauna and hammam, as well as three treatment rooms, offering Thai and Shiatsu massages.
At the fitness studio, workouts are turned into playdates. From heart-pumping group sessions like yoga, zumba and aqua-gym, to one-to-one personal training, whipping workout routines into shape, at BIJAL it is all about making fitness fun.
Dining
Michelin-starred chef Theodor Falser has developed the menus at BIJAL’s restaurants, with each dish, sip and snack being a celebration of flavours and fun. There is Italian fine-dining at the ClubHouse, which includes an expansive poolside terrace, fusing gastronomic artistry with the joy of sharing, and toes-in-the-sand informal dining at the BeachHouse Restaurant, with fresh seafood and local delicacies served up. As the sun starts to set, the DJ takes to the decks at the alfresco bar, with creative cocktails by the expert mixologists. In-villa dining can also be arranged for those after a more secluded experience, and there is also an exquisite Teppanyaki dining option outdoors on the beach.
Luxury Family Services
With space, privacy and a focus on play, BIJAL caters exceptionally well for family holidays. The Kids’ Club is open from 9am until 8pm, with fun activities to keep little ones entertained, such as mini discos, theme days, handicraft, competitions, horse-riding and cooking lessons. Babysitting is also available at an additional cost for infants over 12 months.
Location
BIJAL is situated one hour drive from Antalya Airport. The Southern Turkish coast enjoys warm and dry weather well into December, making it an excellent choice for Autumn, Winter, and Spring Sun outside of peak season.
The small harbour-side town of Side is just a 30-minute walk along the beach. It features a range of historical sites, with Greek and Roman ruins, including a colossal Roman Amphitheatre and Temple of Apollo, an excellent place for a sundowner.
The Turquoise Coast is home to rich myths, folklore, beautiful mountain scenery and has more than 600 miles of flawless shoreline. It is said that Mark Anthony chose this part of Turkey as his wedding present to Cleopatra. In fact, two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are also situated here: the ruins of the Mausoleum of Maussollos and the Temple of Artemis.
Spearheading Tourism Development in Turkey
Representing a $20 million investment, as part of the company’s wider expansion plans, Esin Gural Argat, Deputy Chairperson of Gürok Group emphasised the project’s contribution to the country’s economy, creating employment opportunities through foreign currency flow. In January – May 2023 there was a 23.65% increase in visitors to Turkey compared to the same time-period the year before. However, there is a need to move away from a reliance on all-inclusive coastal resorts, restricting tourists to their accommodation, preventing them from exploring the destination and meaning that local businesses miss out on sales. BIJAL Resorts is a trailblazer for ultra-luxury accommodation in the region and hopes that this model will lead to more high-end developments that serve to further enhance the reputation of this part of Turkey’s stunning coastline and great more opportunities for locals and tourists alike.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
