The $1.4bn Mardan Palace, which opened its doors in Antalya in 2009, recently picked up two major awards for World’s Leading Spa Hotel and World’s Leading Luxury Resort at the World Travel Awards.

Built by Azerbaijan billionaire Telman Ismailov as an opulent palace for elite travellers, the stunning property is leading the way with its combined holistic and medical based spa treatments and is soon set to unveil a brand new Jack Nicklaus golf course.

Hailing a return to the opulent, golden age of the Ottoman Empire, the property is the vision of Telman Ismailov, chairman of Russia’s biggest property developers AST, who fell in love with the region.

Surrounded by the dramatic Taurus Mountain range, the 546 room-property, which includes two Royal Suites with private pools, was designed with Turkish heritage in mind.

Each guestroom at this family friendly property is tastefully decorated and comes with all the mod coms you would expect from a high end hotel, not to mention an optional 24 hour butler service.

The architecture reflects distinctive landmarks of Istanbul - including ‘The Dolmabahce Palace’ and the ‘Da Vinci Bridge’. 

Some of the innovative and quirky features at the glittering property include gondolas that sail guests around an enormous swimming pool (the largest in Europe), an underwater fish restaurant with aquariums for walls and a dramatic amphitheatre which seats up to 900 guests and attracts performances from international stars such as the Enbe Band as well as spectacular laser shows.

Internationally acclaimed chefs have created over ten restaurants including French, Japanese, Russian, Thai and traditional Turkish. Guests can dine a la carte under a replica of Istanbul’s famed Maiden’s Tower.

There are also 14 bars and cafes as well as a two-story jungle themed nightclub.

Spa holidays

One of the highlights of this spectacular property is the award winning 7500 sq metre spa and wellness centre that provides all the necessities for serious relaxation.

As one of the largest spas in Europe, it is set apart by the fact that treatments available are both holistic and medical in their orientation.

Features include a vitamin and champagne bath, an oriental steam bath, snow caves, a hamman and a thalasso pool. Internationally inspired treatments include hot stone therapy, Thai, Balinese, Shiatsu massages and Hydrotherapy.

There are over 30 treatment rooms with all the latest hi-tech equipment.

On being named World’s Leading Spa Hotel and World’s Leading Luxury Resort at the World Travel Awards, Cumhur Ozen, General Manager, Mardan Palace, explained: 

“This is the second time in a row that we have been named World’s Leading Spa Hotel. We opened in 2009 and are leading with our spa all around the world. It is a unique spa as it is the first time medical treatment and normal treatments are available under one roof.”

Most recently, the Mardan spa introduced the Oberon Dienal diagnostic scannng system.

The Oberon system, which is performed by a trained doctor, assesses fluctuating wave characteristics of body tissue, individual cells and chromosomes.

The client is scanned by the Oberon using a pair of headphones which emit a range of frequencies of magnetic fields. The results of the Oberon scan are then compared to the resonant frequencies of all normal organs and common disease tissues in various stages of progression.

At the end of the scanning process, which is entirely painless, recommendation such as diet, herbal therapy, acupuncture, ozone therapy and / or massage are made for the client.

Other treatments at the Mardan spa include acupuncture, which is administered by a specialist doctor. Recommended for pain treatment and stress management, treatments last approximately 30 minutes.

The Ozone Sauna is a detox method which ensures the neutralisation of the toxins accumulated under the skin. Blood circulation is accelerated under the skin and between the muscles with ozone sauna,  thus a rapid muscle relaxation ensures.

Meanwhile there is also a chiropractor on hand to help guests with conditions such as spinal-cervical disc herniation, spinal orthosis and muscle spasm. Colon Hydrotherapy is an alternative therapy used to maintain and restore optimum health by dislodging toxic substances taken from the intestinal walls.

This treatment is recommended for individuals with allergies or weakened immune systems and functional intestinal diseases.

The Beauty Centre at the Mardan Palace combines luxury pampering and cutting-edge, results-focused, facial skin care and body treatments. Brand partners include Comfort Zone, Thali’sens, Carita, Algotherm and Dr. Murad.

A staff of professional estheticians is on hand to advise guests on the treatments best suited to their individual needs, accompanied by innovative products to take home and continue treatment.

Men’s skin care for all skin types and conditions is also offered with professional beauty therapist on hand to analyse the skin condition and determine which treatment is most appropriate.

The Mardan Fitness Centre offers personal instruction and guidance from a fitness expert who will recommend a wellness programme and offer solutions for detox, stress and burnout, fitness and weight control.

Also available at the Mardan Palace is an exhilarating selection of water sports, including yachts available to be charterd, tennis courts, bowling alleys, basketball, volleyball and squash.

A Jack Nicklaus 18 – hole golf course is set to open over the next few months for golfing enthusiasts, meanwhile there is talk of a marina being developed next to the property.

Antalya is one of the tourism success stories of the millenium, attracting nine million tourists every year.

The region is also forging a reputation as a hub for meetings, with its congress centre able to accommodate more than 50,000 delegates.

In recent years, the international airport has expanded its facilities and this combined with the jewel that is the Mardan Palace, means the future looks bright for this popular destination.