The new BIJAL brand by Gürok Group is about combining the outstanding Turkish hospitality the group introduced over 30 years ago with Ali Bey Hotels & Resorts, with the ultra-luxury experience acquired through multiple award-winning JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING.
The resort is situated on the Turquoise Coast, a location that is home to rich myths, folklore, beautiful mountain scenery and has more than 600 miles of flawless shoreline. Rumour has it that Mark Anthony chose this part of Turkey as his wedding present to Cleopatra!
Image credit: BIJAL
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.
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.
Image credit: BIJAL
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. 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.
Image credit: BIJAL
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.
Image credit: BIJAL
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.
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. 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.
Main image credit: BIJAL