Elmali can be described as a secluded cottage in the woods, built on a dazzling scale as if it came out of a fairy tale. Throughout the house, seasoned cedar, chestnut, and oak, along with wrought iron and stone, are used imaginatively to reflect the natural surroundings and highlight the exquisite skills of traditional craftsmanship.
The cedar wood eaves sit comfortably atop the honey-colored stone façade, creating a harmonious blend. The stones, carefully gathered from the mountain village of Elmalı, gave this villa its name, adding their own unique history to Gökçe Gemile and enriching its remarkable story.
The natural harmony of the building creates a timeless atmosphere, which is enhanced upon entering through the solid, beautifully carved wooden door with its rustic, traditionally forged hinges. Inside, the house opens up to a spacious, open-plan living and dining area with a generous galley kitchen. High beamed ceilings blend Anatolian Ottoman style with cottage-chic touches and airy modern elegance.
In Elmalı, everything tells a story, even the charmingly understated white walls. These walls are finished with a traditional Turkish “wattle-and-daub” mixture—lime mixed with straw. This completely natural wall covering contains no modern additives, provides extra insulation by keeping the house cool in summer and warm in winter, and allows it to breathe.
Among Elmalı’s many natural features, the most impressive are the massive dining table made from a huge slab of chestnut and the coffee table carved from a single piece of oak. The warm tones of the wood and the subtle natural hues of the soft furnishings contrast with the darker shades of the stone floor, made from gneiss slabs fitted together like a complex jigsaw puzzle.
The name for this rock comes from the German word “gneist,” meaning “spark,” because the rock actually sparkles.
The shower rooms are each unique, showcasing masterful use of stone—some sourced from the Dalaman River. Basins made from single pieces of metamorphic rock and walls adorned with pebbles from the Dalaman River or lined with fossiliferous limestone from Elmalı and Gaziantep make these rooms ideal for luxuriating.
Downstairs, adjacent to the living area, there is a twin-bedded room, delightfully decorated with Ottoman touches. This adjoining shower room, serving as a guest cloakroom, features some highly original elements. Upstairs, there are two exquisitely furnished master bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, celebrating the skills of the stonemasons and carpenters who have worked on the Gökçe Gemile project.
Outside, the main feature of the totally private landscaped gardens with mature trees and vibrant shrubbery is the massive swimming pool and water features. Ingeniously constructed using natural stone and rocks, and with the calming sound of the waterfalls, this is a dreamy and peaceful environment in which to relax, whatever the time of day.
Indoors
Indoors
Living/Dining Area:
As you step through the front door, you’re greeted by an expansive living and dining area that exudes sophistication and warmth. Adorned with natural fabrics and materials sourced locally, the space showcases a palette of serene, neutral tones. Highlights include a stunning oak table paired with bench seating, a fireplace crafted from creamy Elmalı stone, and a floor elegantly paved with sparkling gneiss slabs. The room is bathed in natural light through double-aspect windows that offer picturesque views of the garden. A beautifully crafted open-tread timber staircase ascends to the first floor, adding a touch of architectural charm.
Kitchen:
Adjacent to the living area, the kitchen is a culinary haven, fitted with custom wooden cabinets and sleek “absolute black” granite work surfaces. A striking slab of creamy, polished Elmalı stone provides a dramatic backdrop. Sliding doors open onto the garden, creating an inviting space for alfresco dining and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Master Suite (North):
The north-facing master suite effortlessly combines the timeless charm of Elmali’s cottage style with contemporary sophistication. The vaulted ceiling, adorned with cedar and oak beams, harmonizes beautifully with the rustic wood and iron chandelier. Richly polished timber floors and traditional Turkish rugs, dyed with natural pigments, add warmth and character. A striking feature of the room is the suspended king-size bed, meticulously crafted from a single piece of polished Elmalı stone, complemented by matching bedside tables and a textured stone wall. The suite extends into a refined dressing area and an expansive shower room, where pebbled walls and a grand double basin hewn from metamorphic gneiss enhance the luxurious ambiance, along with a monsoon shower. With panoramic windows framing views of the gardens, pool, and forest, and access to a shared first-floor terrace, this suite provides an unparalleled retreat.
Master Suite (South):
The south-facing master suite seamlessly merges timeless Turkish design with contemporary flair. Its vaulted beamed ceiling and distinctive chandelier set the tone for this spacious retreat. The room features a handcrafted king-size wooden bed, a feature wall of seasoned chestnut timbers, and bespoke fitted wardrobes. The separate shower room boasts two basins carved from metamorphic gneiss, complementing the pebbled splashback and luxurious shower. Windows frame views of the gardens, pool, and forest, with access to both a first-floor terrace and the main shared terrace.
Twin-Bedded Room:
Located downstairs and accessible from the living area, this vibrant room embraces Ottoman design. It features two generously sized single beds, hand-carved bedside tables, and bespoke fitted wardrobes. A side window offers views of the forest, while sliding doors open directly onto the garden, enhancing the connection with nature.
Shower Room and Guest Cloakroom:
Adjacent to the twin-bedded room, this shower room also serves as a guest cloakroom. A showcase of original design, it includes a whimsical asymmetric mirror crafted from natural oak and an extraordinary hand basin carved from metamorphic gneiss, mounted atop a tree trunk, imparting a fairy-tale quality to the space.
Features & Amenities:
- Two master suites
- One twin bedroom
- Two ensuite shower rooms/WCs
- One shower room/WC/guest cloakroom
- Smoke alarms throughout
- Air-conditioning throughout
- Coffee machine
- Ice maker
- Dishwasher
- American style fridge/freezer
- Washing machine
- Induction hob/fan oven
- Microwave
- Chilled water dispenser
- Mosquito nets on some doors and windows
- Mosquito machines
- Iron & ironing board
- Hair dryers
- WiFi
- TV with Bluetooth and USB video facility
- Bluetooth wireless speaker
- Safety deposit box
- Light cleaning on a daily basis
- Towels and bed linen changed every 2 days
Outdoors
Outdoors
A mature shady carob tree under which to sit, a beautiful pergola that is perfect for dining, a wealth of vibrant Bougainvillea, local plants and shrubs and sun-drenched lawns; all this makes the gardens surrounding Elmalı a delightful place in which to sit and relax, while enjoying the the soothing sights and sounds of nature.
If that isn’t enough, there is a also the beautiful 125 sq. metre infinity salt water swimming pool, entered via stone steps incorporated into the water feature rockery, and a spa pool/hot tub lined with pebbles, big enough for all the family. While the water features are ingeniously constructed to great effect, using the natural stone and rocks of Gökçe Gemile, the paths, terraces and pool are laid with ochre and grey slabs of Bodrum Ayrak stone.
Bordered by pine forests and with the calming sound of cascading water to complement the gentle thrumming of the cicadas and the breeze rustling the leaves of the trees, this garden is the perfect peaceful environment in which to relax at any time of day or night.
Outdoor features & amenities
- Private coves and beaches
- Private funicular railway (inclined lift) to beach and clubhouse
- Water sports equipment:
- Kayaks
- Stand up paddle boards
- Snorkelling equipment
- 125 sq. metre infinity pool (heating available for winter season)
- Spa pool
- Alfresco shower
- Sun loungers
- Pergola
- Outdoor dining area
- BBQ and grill
- Trekking paths and trails
- Fishing equipment
- Gökçe Gemile boat
- Gökçe Gemile yacht
- Terraces with lounging areas
- Hammock
- Balconies
- Parking
- Gated grounds
- Sea and forest views
- Beach towels
Villa Policy
Villa Policy
- Maximum 6 guests
- Children welcome (adult supervision is required)
- Non-smoking villa
- No pets allowed
- Security deposit collected
- Social events permitted (only on request & at additional cost)
- Check in: 3:00PM
- Check out: 12:00PM
Smoking policy
As in the rest of the Mediterranean, fire is an ever present risk, especially during the tinder-dry summer months. For this reason we need to have a very strict smoking policy. As with all rental properties, there is a no smoking policy inside the houses. Guests may smoke in the gardens, but we respectfully request that they always use an ashtray and dispose of their cigarette butts responsibly. Guests may also smoke on the beach and in the private coves, always taking other guests, who may not smoke, into consideration. However, there is a very strict no smoking policy on the inclined lift and the surrounding area, leading to the beach. Here, we must insist that there is no smoking whatsoever due to the risk of fire and the fact that it is highly illegal!
At Extra Cost
What’s included and what’s not
Services included:
- Gökçe Gemile team
- Concierge service
- Daily housekeeping services
- Linen and towel change every other day
- Parking
- 24-hour security
- Grounds keeping and security team
- Well-provisioned welcome hamper
- Water & bread delivery service
- Welcome Breakfast served on the first morning at the beach clubhouse
- Beach Clubhouse (with services)
- Non-motorized water sport equipment (Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkels, flippers and basic fishing equipment)
- Table Tennis
- Table Football
- Beach towel service
- Beach Pestemal
- Separate jacuzzi (hot tub for winter period)
Available at extra cost
Please note that advance notice may be required:
- Waterside breakfast
- Waterside lunch
- Private BBQ dinner on the beach
- Private seafood dinner on the beach
- Private fish dinner
- All-inclusive meals and drinks
- Heating for private swimming pool during winter season
- Gokce Gemile House Helper (weekly)
- Scuba Diving (beginners & certified divers)
- Private luxury yacht return transfer airports
- Turkish cooking classes
- Private group yoga sessions: Hatha, Ashtanga & Yin Yoga
- Car rental
- Babysitting/childcare service
- Speed boats (crewed)
- Sailing course with Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42.2ft Sailboat (crewed)
- Additional charter of the Gökçe Gemile private skippered boat
- Private helicopter transfers
- Gökçe Gemile trekking (private guide)
- Villa pre-stocking
- Hair stylist
- Additional boat/bus fuel charge for longer cruises
- Sea fishing (safari and deep-sea)
- Sea kayaking or paddleboard safari
- Laundry services (no dry cleaning)
- Villa pre-stocking
- VIP airport transfer
- Baby equipment rental
- Activities and excursions
- Privately guided cultural experiences
- In-villa or Beachside Dining: Private chef or ‘home-delivery’ services from some restaurants
- Spa Services: specialty massage & treatments
- Home-delivery shopping (pre & post arrival)
- To protect the environment and maintain the peaceful atmosphere motorised water sports are not available at Gökçe Gemile. But, they are available at various locations within a 10-30 minutes’ drive
