A fortnight at Club Phokaia in Foca, Turkey
Club Phokaia is a large, spacious beach club with open landscaped grounds scattered with palm trees, interspersed with paths joining the various different blocks of accommodation, activity areas and sand and shingle beach, centred on the Olympic size swimming pool. There are lots of quieter spots to relax whether that be by the pool, in the spa, on a lounger or king-size double sun beds by the beach, in the air conditioned hotel lobby or on a patch on the grass. If packing in the activities is more your bag, the windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, mountain biking, road biking, tennis and various exercise classes should keep you busy. Whatever you're in to, the beach bar is the perfect place to kick back in the evening, reflect on the day and enjoy the stunning sunset and sea view. With a short transfer time of just over an hour from Izmir airport, the wide range of inclusive activities, friendly and helpful staff across all areas and recently refurbished rooms, there's a lot to like about this flagship resort.
Accommodation
Rooms at Club Phokaia are split between the main hotel and five blocks of 'garden rooms' positioned throughout the landscaped gardens. Whilst balconies from the main hotel rooms offer the most elevated views over the pool and windsurfing bay, we prefer the garden rooms for the natural feel of being amongst the gardens and closer to the activities. The bedroom have recently been fully refurbished based on a modern twist on local Turkish design with contemporary styling. The rooms have exposed stone walls sourced locally, soft neutral colours and are finished in a traditional Turkish design. Each room has a well-stocked mini bar with shower towels provided and daily room service. There is wi-fi throughout the resort with signal being most reliable in the main hotel and lobby.
Activities
Wind Conditions
Wind conditions at Club Phokaia are described as "excellent for experts", which is certainly true when the resort gets the most consistent Meltemi wind blowing cross-shore in July and August. During these months conditions tend to be windier in the morning, dropping towards the end of the day. At other times of the year and particularly at the back end of the season, conditions are most often moderate (best for early intermediate non-planing windsurfers and sailors) with 2-3 days a week when the conditions blow up strong making them perfect for experts.
Windsurfing
There is an excellent range of sails and boards with all kit laid out on the beach or stored very close by for easy launching. Windsurfing sails are all from Tushingham, ranging from 2m to 8.5m including start rigs for children and beginners through to T4, Storm and Rock rigs for the more advanced. My advice for experts is to get to the beach quickly when the wind starts blowing up because as you'd imagine everyone has the same idea and whilst there's almost always a board and sail available of some description, the kit you wanted may have been taken by someone else if you're not quick.
The gently shelving, long sand and shingle beach makes for easy launching and the sand bar 1,200 metres out that encloses virtually the whole bay makes for excellent, flat conditions most of the time. The variance of wind conditions across the day and week means there will be conditions for all abilities over the course of the week. Experts can try their hands at the bump 'n' jump conditions, particularly in the less protected end of the bay, when the winds pick up. YHA tuition is offered ranging from Beginner through Intermediate planing and non-planing to Advanced.
Dinghy Sailing
Again, there is an excellent range of kit ready rigged for you along the shore, including Laser Picos, Laser 1, Laser Bug, Laser Bahia, Laser SB3, Laser Dart 16, RS 200, RS 500 and Topper Topaz 16. Whatever boat you're looking for, a member of the helpful beach team will be on hand to help you with launching. As for the windsurfing, the long gently shelving beach makes for easy launching and conditions in the enclosed bay are usually flat. Advanced sailors can sail between the gap between the sand bar and Sirens Rocks to hunt out more challenging and wavy conditions.
A lifeguard is always keeping watch over the bay and there are manned rescue boats ready to come to anyone in need. As you'd expect, all beach staff are fully RYA qualified and safety on the water is made top priority. YHA tuition is also offered ranging from Beginner through Intermediate planing and non-planing to Advanced.
Wakeboarding and Water Skiing
The wakeboarding and water skiing station is situated along the pontoon from the beach bar, with crash jackets stored in one of the little huts on the beach nearby. The boats normally take you south away from the sailing area and the waters are generally flat in the mornings, although of course when the winds pick up it can get a bit choppy - but then you'd want to be windsurfing anyway. There are a range of wakeboarding, water ski-ing, knee boarding and mono skiing kit available in a range of sizes to suit everyone. There is also the option of a pontoon start if you fancy trying to stay dry! I found the tuition offered from the boat to be excellent even without signing up to the premium package, although definitely prompt your driver for tips on technique if they're not forthcoming. My advice is to sign up for a wakeboarding/water ski-ing slot first during the sign-up morning because they fill quickly.
Mountain and Road Biking
A great way to see Foca town and explore the surrounding area is to take out a bike, either with a partner/friend or by joining one of the organised rides. Organised rides range from a very leisurely bike to and around Foca town where your guide will tell you more about the local area, to much longer 4-5 hour rides taking in lots of the nearby hills and trails. Road biking is particularly good because of the number of ocean roads with stunning sea views and challenging climbs to tackle. The centre has good quality, well maintained Trek bikes - 20 mountain bikes and 15 road bikes - and dedicated guides who are always happy to assist.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Club Phokaia run kayak safari sessions 4 times a week where a member of the beach team will take guests to explore the nearby island or coastline. The beach is well equipped with 26 one and two man kayaks, always plenty to go around based on my experience, that can also be taken out free of charge at any time.
There are also 6 SUP boards that can be taken at any time are and sometimes used for a special aquatic take on the yoga classes later in the week.
Tennis
The resort has four hard courts set up in 2 groups end-to-end used for organised sessions targeted at all abilities ranging from beginner to advanced throughout the week. They are also bookable for social play at any time sessions are not running and are floodlit so can be used in the evenings for anyone keen to squeeze in a hit at the end of the day.
Fitness Classes and Swimming
Club Phokaia offers a range of fitness and relaxation classes throughout the week, ranging from high intensity running, cardio fitness and boxing sessions to yoga and 'stretch and relax'. The cooler morning or evenings are also the perfect time to fit in some length swimming in the 50m Olympic pool, which looks particularly stunning unlit blue at night. Attempting yoga on a stand-up paddle board towards the end of the week was a particularly entertaining highlight.
Spa
Boasting an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and five spacious treatment rooms, the spa at Club Phokaia is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hard day of activities. Use of the spa facilities is complimentary with treatments at an extra cost, charged to the room. During the first morning guests can sign up for treatments with 25% off, definitely worth taking advantage of. My partner and I booked a deep tissue massage which was a great way to relax at the end of our two week holiday.
Other Stuff
There is also the option to join regular volley ball games with Johnny (head of everything social), do a scuba diving 'trial dive' in the swimming pool (both inclusive) or sign up for an RYA ICC power boat qualification (extra cost).
Food and Drink
The normal Club Board package includes breakfast and lunch every day and evening meals on 4 nights with guests able to order from the a la carte menu in resort or head into Foca town to try one of the restaurants there on the remaining 3 evenings. Inclusive meals are all buffet style with plenty to choose from and lots of it. Chefs mix things up with, for example, special morning pancakes and evening fajita stands, both of which were delicious. Pizza from the large pizza oven was also particularly tasty. All resort meals are al fresco on the terrace with the option of indoor tables if you prefer. Various evening entertainment is provided ranging from the 'staff night' when resort staff put on a show for guests, fancy dress and a chilled-out/laid back guitar evening.
Local Area
The town of Foca is only 2 kilometres away and offers open air restaurants lined across the shore, a wide variety of shops, traditional Ottoman-Greek houses and a popular weekly market. Whilst tourism has taken over more recently, it's still evident Foca used to be a fishing town at heart with many small boats and nets visible across the harbour. I would definitely recommend visiting Foca to eat out on at least one of the non-inclusive night - it's an enjoyable 25 minute stroll or short hop on the minibus service or taxi - we usually started walking then jumped into the minibus whenever it came past (it stops at any point for anyone who wants to use it and costs about the equivalent of £1). My advice if eating out in Foca would be to watch out for the stray cats in restaurants, particularly around the harbour. They can be reasonably persistent and from the other tables we saw that decided to give them some food, they quickly call their friends along when they realise there are easy pickings, so don't encouraging them. Most of the restaurant owners are quite good at shooing them away and will try to accommodate you on a table where you're less likely to be troubled by the cats if you request this. Further a field is the world famous site of Ephesus, while the bright lights of Izmir with its historical importance, superb architecture and fascinating culture is just over an hours drive away.
Children's Clubs
Children's clubs run throughout the season for children aged from 4 months to 17 years. For the younger end of this range, there is a children's pool, cots, baby baths, buggies and a 24-hour baby room available.
