The Timeless Story of Martı Resort

Martı Resort Marmaris

For over five decades, Martı Resort has been more than just a destination—it’s a place where tradition meets community, and families return year after year. From its humble beginnings in 1969 as Türkiye’s first resort hotel to becoming a cultural icon on the Turkish Riviera, Martı Resort’s story is one of timeless hospitality and cherished memories.

➾  1964

The Dream Begins

A group of friends from Istanbul, enchanted by the untouched beauty of İçmeler Bay during an Aegean-Mediterranean voyage, dreamed of creating a retreat where people could gather and connect with nature. Their vision marked the beginning of Martı Resort.

➾  1969

The Birth of Martı Motel

In 1969, Martı Motel opened its doors as Türkiye’s first resort motel, offering just 33 rooms. It fulfilled a need no other hotel had yet recognized: a summer club in the South where people could come together and share experiences. Situated along İçmeler’s 12-kilometer shoreline, Martı quickly became a place where Turkish hospitality thrived, laying the foundation for what would later become Martı Resort.

➾  The ’70s

A Place Where Stories Are Made

Martı Resort quickly expanded to 100 rooms by 1974, becoming one of the most desirable and hard-to-book hotels. Families returned year after year, building lifelong friendships. The resort also hosted cultural events like the Marmaris Festival, which drew celebrities and offered a month-long parade of stars, classical concerts, and iconic disco nights. Martı became a gathering spot for the international jet set, princes, Hollywood stars, and even world leaders, blending glamour with the warmth of a family-friendly retreat.

➾  The ’80s

A Cultural Icon

The 1980s solidified Martı Resort’s cultural legacy. It hosted Yeşilçam films like Bu İkiliye Dikkat, further cementing its reputation as a cultural hub. The resort also made significant strides in sports, organizing sailing and windsurfing competitions, even bringing the world champion brand Mistral to İçmeler. With the opening of Dalaman Airport in 1983, Martı Resort became more accessible, attracting visitors for shorter stays.

➾  The ’90s

Growing With Grace

By the 1990s, Martı Resort had expanded to 280 rooms and continued to foster a strong sense of community. It hosted events that brought together locals and visitors alike, such as dance competitions that drew over a thousand participants. Through all of this, Martı remained a beloved place where returning guests felt like they were coming home, surrounded by familiar faces and shared experiences.

➾  The 2000s

A Modern Social Club

In the 2000s, Martı Resort remained true to its roots, embracing modern hospitality trends while staying committed to its mission of being more than a hotel. It became a summer house, a social club, and part of a community for guests who returned year after year, drawn by the familiarity and connection Martı offered.

➾  Today

 A Heritage of Love and Tradition

Today, Martı Resort stands as one of three all-inclusive resorts in the Martı Hotels family, still carrying Heritage at Heart. For over five decades, it has been a place where generations of families return to relive cherished memories and create new ones. Martı Resort continues to honor its legacy of Turkish hospitality while providing a timeless escape on the Turkish Riviera.