«Some of the most special moments at Papillon happen early in the morning, when the gardens are still wrapped in silence. It is precisely at this time that one of the hotel’s greatest strengths becomes most apparent — its harmonious connection with nature. Mature pine trees, lush gardens and the Mediterranean landscape create a sense of tranquillity and peace that has become increasingly rare in modern life,» says Erol Akın, Vice President of Papillon Hotels Resort & Spa.

«Parties and shows are wonderful, of course, but personally I love peace and greenery, so places where you can simply enjoy the quiet are important to me. What is also special is that we offer service directly to your sunbed. You can go to the beach, scan a QR code, order a drink, and it will be delivered wherever you are,» explains Valeria Dolgova, Deputy Director of Sales and Marketing.

That is what makes Papillon unique: complete relaxation exists alongside entertainment, active leisure and exceptional dining.

A Holiday Formula Built on Decades of Experience

The story of Papillon Hotels began in 1992. Since then, the brand has grown into one of the Mediterranean’s most recognisable resort groups, with Papillon Belvil, Papillon Zeugma and Papillon Ayscha now forming part of the collection. Over more than thirty years, Papillon has developed a clear approach to hospitality — one built around attention to detail, effortless service and thoughtfully designed infrastructure.

At Papillon, holidays are designed around different lifestyles and expectations. Some guests come for the sea and lazy days by the pool. Some prioritise family activities, while others — privacy, sport, wellness or gastronomy. All these elements are brought together into one seamless ecosystem, from accommodation and restaurants to beaches, fitness facilities, bars and quiet relaxation areas.

The Papillon Experiences concept brings together a variety of accommodation styles. Superior & Club Rooms are designed for guests who value contemporary design and practical layouts. Select Family Suites provide additional space for larger families and make travelling with children easier. Luxury Pool Suites focus on privacy and a more intimate waterside atmosphere. Deluxe & Presidential Villas offer the highest level of comfort and seclusion.

For the 2026 season, Papillon is introducing a new concept: the Adult Comfort Zone. These dedicated adults-only spaces are designed for guests seeking a slower pace of life. The Adult Exclusive Pool offers a stylish poolside setting with comfortable relaxation areas, while the Adult Beach Area reserves a section of Mediterranean coastline exclusively for adults, complete with loungers and shaded cabanas. Chill Zones create peaceful spaces for reading and uninterrupted downtime.

Active Children, Relaxed Parents

Papillon hotels are truly a paradise for both children and their parents. The Papy Kids Club is open from early morning until late evening, with a team of childcare professionals organising activities for every interest imaginable: creative workshops, sports sessions, competitions, games and themed programmes throughout the day.

Babies have access to a dedicated baby-care area complete with nap rooms, while toddlers enjoy their own play spaces. Older children can get creative in the art studio, become architects in the LEGO area, relax in the cinema equipped with PlayStation 5 consoles, or explore the indoor play area and outdoor playground. From May to October, Papy Kids Club also hosts a weekly carnival featuring themed shows, dancing and musical performances.

«We have a children’s sports academy that includes football, tennis and swimming lessons with professional certified coaches. Even if a child has never tried a particular sport before, they can come to Papillon and discover something completely new,» says Valeria Dolgova.

Before long, the children have disappeared into their own exciting world, nobody is asking for the tablet password, and parents are enjoying a hot cup of coffee for the first time in months.

Adults, meanwhile, can stay active too. The Fit Club offers yoga, Pilates and aerobics classes led by professional instructors. Tennis courts are available both for coaching sessions and independent play. And for those who never take a break from training, there is a fully equipped gym open throughout the day.

You can start your morning with exercise, spend the afternoon by the sea, and return to a slower pace in the evening.

A Gastronomic Journey in Its Own Right

At Papillon, dining is brought together under the Gastro Journey concept. The main buffet impresses with its scale and diversity, offering cuisines to suit every taste. Breakfast can be as light or indulgent as you wish, while lunch and dinner become culinary journeys through different traditions and flavours — from perfectly cooked steaks and fresh salmon to meat-stuffed artichokes and steamed fish with caper sauce. As for the desserts, they could easily rival a dedicated pâtisserie. After several days at Papillon Ayscha, we still hadn’t managed to try everything we wanted.

Meals are served three times a day, but if hunger strikes in between, options are plenty! There is a beach buffet serving food throughout most of the day, while the main restaurant even offers late-night dining after midnight. A traditional gozleme bakery prepares Turkish flatbreads with a variety of fillings.

For food lovers, there are five à la carte restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. The Restaurants focus on variety and Mediterranean abundance throughout the day. Bars & Lounges become social hubs for conversation and evening drinks. The Café & Patisserie is dedicated to coffee, desserts and elegant sweet treats. Fine Ambience Restaurant Corners create more intimate dining areas within selected restaurants and à la carte venues.

As evening falls, the experience continues at the Adult Bars, where signature cocktails, premium spirits and soft music set the tone. We chose the Mexican restaurant, where traditional tacos were served with sizzling meat platters, accompanied by perfectly salted margaritas and unforgettable churros. Candlelight and beautiful music completed the experience. Later, we spent the evening in the Martini Bar, listening to live music in an atmosphere reminiscent of a classic gentlemen’s club while sipping espresso martinis.

Everything You Need to Truly Switch Off

Papillon Ayscha genuinely offers everything required for a complete holiday experience. By the sea, there is a dedicated adults-only area designed for peace and quiet. For even more privacy, guests can reserve private beach cabanas equipped with sofas and dining tables. Drinks can be ordered directly to the beach or cabana, followed by lunch from the beach buffet for those wishing to spend the entire day by the water.

Pool lovers are equally well catered for. There is a large outdoor pool heated during the winter season through May, a heated indoor pool, a children’s pool and an extensive water park. Throughout the day, guests can join fun competitions, aqua aerobics classes and numerous other activities.

The evening shows deserve special mention. We decided to stop by briefly, simply to see what was on. Expectations were modest. Instead, we stayed until the very end. It felt less like a hotel entertainment programme and more like a full-scale circus production. Acrobats, dancers, motorcyclists — breathtaking performances, each more impressive than the last. One evening featured a circus-style spectacular. Another brought a musical production. The next showcased dance performances with acrobatic elements. And so it continued. A professional entertainment venue without ever having to leave the resort.

Natura Bissé and Reborn Spa: A Sanctuary of Relaxation

Papillon has its own spa brand — Reborn Spa. It is yet another world of bliss — a place from which you emerge happier, lighter and renewed. There is a traditional Turkish hammam, steam rooms and saunas, jacuzzis, treatment rooms, a private spa suite and relaxation areas. Guests can choose from a wide range of rejuvenating treatments, massages and even Nail Art services.

The premium skincare programmes from Natura Bissé, Babor and Thalgo deserve special attention. You can spend a couple of hours here between the beach and dinner or devote an entire day to recovery and self-care. Either way, time seems to slow down, everyday concerns fade away, and the feeling of being truly on holiday takes over.

I had the opportunity to attend an immersive masterclass hosted by Natura Bissé in collaboration with Reborn Spa inside the resort’s Presidential Villa. The experience allowed us to discover the brand and its products quite literally through touch and taste.

For a brief moment, we became chemists ourselves. In a specially designed interactive laboratory, we mixed creams and sprays using natural ingredients and tested our creations.

The event was inspired by Natura Bissé’s iconic Vitamin C collection, designed to restore radiance, improve skin tone and give the complexion a refreshed, well-rested appearance. The entire aesthetic revolved around citrus notes: vibrant orange floral arrangements, cocktails infused with orange and mandarin, and elegant canapés inspired by the ingredients and philosophy behind the collection. Particularly memorable were the mini vol-au-vents filled with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and walnuts, as well as a beautifully crafted lemon cheesecake.

The masterclass continued with a personalised skincare workshop led by Natura Bissé experts. The multi-step routine began with an exfoliating cream designed to renew and refresh the skin, followed by treatments for the lips and eye area, an oil-free facial gel and finally a protective sun fluid. My skin glowed for the rest of the day!

The collaboration with Natura Bissé was no coincidence. The Spanish skincare house has long been a fixture in some of the world’s most prestigious spas and luxury hotels. Many of its products are specifically formulated to combat the effects of stress, fatigue, dehydration and environmental exposure — challenges faced by virtually everyone living in a modern city.

Natura Bissé is loved not only for its results but also for the experience of using its products, something the masterclass brought to life beautifully. It was far more than a beauty demonstration. It was a true sensory experience.

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What ultimately defines Papillon is its multilayered experience. Within a single resort family holiday coexists with private villa stays, adults-only areas, gastronomy, sport, wellness and evening entertainment. Yet despite this diversity, everything remains intuitive and easy for guests to navigate. Everyone can find their own rhythm, and that feeling of Welcome Back emerges naturally through thoughtful details and genuine care.

Our own impressions were confirmed by Erol Akın: «Over the past three decades, the hospitality industry has changed beyond recognition. Yet one thing has remained constant: our belief that people are at the heart of every great holiday experience. From the very beginning, Papillon Hotels has been built on genuine care, warm relationships and the ability to create an atmosphere where guests feel at home. As a family-owned company, we have always valued long-term relationships over short-term trends. This philosophy is reflected in our Welcome Back concept. For us, it is not simply a greeting but an expression of the emotional connection we strive to build with every guest. Many of our guests return year after year, sometimes across generations. That continuity and trust remain one of our greatest sources of pride.»

And honestly, how could you not return to a world where everyone is happy!