TRAVEL GUIDE | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA
Ebullient Turkish hotelier, collector and all-round bon viveur Sahir Erozan has long been at the helm of Maçakizi, Bodrum's most glamorous hotel. For decades, Maçakizi – founded by his mother, Ayla, in the 1970s – has been a magnet for artists, rock stars and intellectuals, and Sahir continues to bring global attention to his beloved Bodrum, launching an annual cultural festival and, this year, a new book, Maçakizi: Everlasting Summer. Sahir shares an insider's guide to his favorite spots on the Turkish Riviera.
BY SAHIR EROZAN | CABANA TRAVEL | 28 JUNE 2026

My Favorite Place to Stay: Maçakizi
I have had four different 'homes' in Bodrum over a 30-year period, yet I've never stayed in any one of them. Maçakizi is the only home I have. I spend seven months non stop at the hotel. So, in answer: I don't know any other bed than the one I sleep in at Maçakizi.
My Favorite Restaurant: Peperin
This year, I won’t go out during the busy summer time, but off-season I will check out the new places. There is a new place in Bodrum Town, Peperin, in a nostalgic building brought up to date, offering terrific Turkish food in an elevated modern way.
My Favourite Coffee Shop: Farina Bakery
I love Farina Bakery in Türkbükü—they do proper coffee, and the pastry is excellent.

My Favorite Shops: Anatolian Carpet Store and ‘74ESCAPE
For authentic kilims in Bodrum, Anatolian Carpet Store has many timeless pieces. Meanwhile, ‘74ESCAPE has a very bohemian vibe, especially for beachwear. In Dereköy, Leleg Living has an interesting collection of contemporary homeware.
My Favourite Antique or Vintage Shop: Galeria Anatolia
Galeria Anatolia, in Bodrum, is an antique carpet shop. They offer a stunning collection of authentic vintage rugs, and every piece has its own unique story.
My Favorite Museum or Gallery: Galerist
For art, my friend Melkan Tabanlıoğlu’s Galerist is the place for contemporary art and design. It's based in Istanbul, but they have shows and pop-ups in Bodrum. I also like Adnan Yerebakan’s Sanatorium Gallery, which showcases young, emerging artists.

The Galerist is based in Istanbul, but keep an eye out for its pop-up exhibitions, collaborations and special projects in Bodrum.
My Favorite Way to Spend a Weekend in Bodrum
During the summer, all my friends are in Bodrum. There is no better place to hang out than at the beautiful beach deck, where we enjoy chef Aret Sahakya’s amazing food at Cafe Med or the Michelin-star Maçakızı Restaurant. I also love taking my boat out for a day, either to a deserted Turkish island or one of the many Greek islands near Bodrum.
My Favorite Hidden Treasure: Villa Maçakızı
I would say Villa Maçakızı, nestled along Cennet Bay. It is a discreet, refined, and effortlessly elegant hideaway, adjacent to the Maçakizi hotel.

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Maçakizi: Everlasting Summer by Melinda Stevens, with photography by Oliver Pilcher, is now available to order. Published by Assouline.