Breathtaking "Ritual Temple" at a Bodrum Hotel Steals a Place on Our Wellness Retreat Wishlist
Away from the noise and chaos of digital life, Scorpios Bodrum, a unique blend of community, meditation, and life's simple pleasures, steps into the spotlight as a countercultural haven. Developed by the masterminds behind the successful Scorpios hospitality group in Mykonos, the founders, Mario Hertel and Thomas Heyne, aimed to bring the electrifying, united essence of nightlife into the daytime - minus the hangovers.
Opened last June, Scorpios Bodrum, the first property outside of Greece in the group's global expansion, is more than just a hotel; it's a state of being, a rhythm, and a philosophy that invites introspection and shared experiences. Nestled on a peaceful peninsula in the northeastern corner of Bodrum, Turkey, it offers more than just one of the best spas for design-savvy travelers but is a place that encourages time slowing, senses heightening, and the dissolution of self, nature, and community boundaries.
Berlin-based Lambs and Lions, the lead design studio behind both hotels, describe the property's concept as a journey within a journey, which, along with immersion in the Aegean nature, shaped Scorpios Bodrum. This vision of continuous transformation is reflected in the hotel's 'Ritual Space' and central pavilion, known as the 'Temple.' Yes, you have heard it right - temple, and the choice of words isn't mere coincidence. The hospitality group's inception was inspired by the concept of the agora, ancient Greece's marketplace, as a hub where people from all walks of life would gather to engage in various daily activities. Scorpios Bodrum reimagines the ultimate Greek getaway for contemporary travelers, with physical and mental well-being at the heart of a multisensory experience.
The hotel features 12 responsibly developed, low-rise bungalows, a sun-drenched restaurant, terrace, beach house, and an Asian-inspired bazaar. The design, a dialogue between Oriental influences, Brutalism, and Wabi-Sabi principles, preserves the earthy tones and tactile essence of Scorpios Mykonos while emphasizing refinement and articulation, as stated by Lambs and Lions. Crafted statement pieces, flowing linen, and trailing vegetation breathe life into these modern rustic spaces, capturing visitors' minds with a powerful manifestation of artistry.
Inspired by Bodrum's stunning maquis landscape, topography, and rocky grounds, as well as its crystal-clear waters, Scorpios Bodrum strives for a balance between unrestrained self-expression and introspection - a contrast that reflects "our community's intrinsic duality," according to GEOMIM. The Ritual Space, which includes a sound healing room, watsu pools, and a sauna illuminated by porthole windows alongside other rejuvenating treatment rooms, is where art, performance, music, and holistic rituals engage in a meaningful dialogue of presence, challenging conventional wellness notions and showing how it can be done better together.
By strategically positioning the Ritual Space on the eastern edge of the peninsula, it faces the sunrise and blends with the landscape. Its cassette ceiling allows dramatic beams of light to filter through, creating an ever-evolving environment that merges Brutalist architecture, nature, and atmosphere, inducing a sense of grounding and transcendence. This fusion of worldly and spiritual, sacred and profane, is also demonstrated by the multifunctional Temple, whose Inner Gardens programming encompasses everything from shamanic meditation classes to live concerts and artistic residencies.
Beauty awaits outside as well, where the hotel's pool, tea bar, and event decks symbolize a return from the inner world to the outer, marking the completion of guests' transformation journeys. However, at Scorpios Bodrum, the end of a vacation is more than just a conclusion; it's a new beginning.
"What lingers on is not just a memory, but a shift - a recalibration toward presence, connection, and essence," Lambs and Lions say. "In a world of excess, Scorpios offers something more elusive: the luxury of whole-being and meaning."
Book your stay at Scorpios Bodrum
- The Ritual Space at Scorpios Bodrum, a sound healing room, watsu pools, and a sauna, offers a balance between unrestrained self-expression and introspection, engaging in a meaningful dialogue of presence through art, performance, music, and holistic rituals.
- Scorpios Bodrum's design, a dialogue between Oriental influences, Brutalism, and Wabi-Sabi principles, preserves the earthy tones and tactile essence of Scorpios Mykonos while emphasizing refinement and articulation.
- Developed by the masterminds behind the successful Scorpios hospitality group, Scorpios Bodrum, a unique blend of community, meditation, and life's simple pleasures, aims to bring the electrifying essence of nightlife into the daytime.
- Nestled on a peaceful peninsula in Bodrum, Turkey, Scorpios Bodrum offers more than just one of the best spas for design-savvy travelers but is a place that encourages time slowing, senses heightening, and the dissolution of self, nature, and community boundaries.
- Scorpios Bodrum reimagines the ultimate Greek getaway for contemporary travelers, with physical and mental well-being at the heart of a multisensory experience, featuring 12 responsibly developed, low-rise bungalows, a sun-drenched restaurant, terrace, beach house, and an Asian-inspired bazaar.
