Simpson Secret – Uzumlu

Islamlar & Üzümlü , Turkey

Part of the Simpson Secrets collection

Our search for exceptional villas occasionally leads us along the road less travelled to find hidden gems just too lovely to leave behind. Aimed at the adventurous at heart, each Simpson Secret offers a unique take on what a holiday off the beaten track can be.
Simpson Secrets

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  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • Tastefully renovated
  • Set in traditional Üzümlü
  • Romantic retreat
  • Wonderfully private
  • 15min walk to Üzümlü and restaurants
2025 Early Bird Prices...
The majority of our 2025 holidays are now online, with early bird prices and lower deposits guaranteed until 30 November 2024. Book now, or use Advance Registration where prices are awaiting confirmation; with the planning done, the joy of anticipation can begin.

If walls could talk then this charming Simpson Secret would whisper stories stretching back to the turbulent years of the late Ottoman Empire. There’s been a building on this site for centuries, and it’s been in the family of the current owner Bayram Tufekci for over a hundred years. In times past the house was a waypoint for travellers from the Taurus Mountains bringing their goods and livestock to market down at the coast at Kalamaki, or Kalkan as we know it today.

Nowadays there’s still a welcoming sense of refuge about the cottage, which has been beautifully renovated keeping as much of the original building material as possible. Drawing on his experience as owner of popular Villa Sezim, Bayram has created a top-notch retreat for two, blending Ottoman-inspired elements with modern comforts such as an outdoor Jacuzzi and a traditional köşk in the private garden. Upstairs, the bedroom is fit for the noble rank of Pasha, with a carved ‘floating’ bed and the warm patina of natural wood creating a cosy and romantic atmosphere. Equally romantic are the sunsets over Patara beach in the distance, best enjoyed with a cold drink on the balcony before the stroll into Üzümlü for dinner.

Üzümlü is a thriving Turkish village and a favourite summer retreat thanks to its elevated position which makes it a degree or two cooler in the hottest months. There are several shops for daily food provisions, and a good selection of local restaurants. Nearby Islamlar is renowned for its fresh trout, and you don’t have to drive very much further to find yourself deep in the Taurus mountains and a world where low-key tourism works sustainably alongside traditional farming. With your own pool to enjoy and restaurants within walking distance you might not stray from this pretty hideaway for a whole week, but if you feel like a change of pace, Kalkan’s shops, cafes, restaurants and beach clubs are just a 15-minute drive away.

 


Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Islamlar & Üzümlü



Accommodation

Layout

  • 1 bedroom villa (sleeps 1-2)

Ground floor

  • Open-plan living/dining/kitchen area with Smart TV, Bluetooth speaker, leads to terrace and garden
  • Kitchen includes dishwasher, washing machine, fridge-freezer, oven, full hob and Nespresso coffee machine

Upper floor

  • Double bedroom (180cm bed) with en-suite shower room; leads to balcony
  • Sauna accessed via the balcony
  • Jacuzzi on balcony

General

  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Air-conditioned throughout
  • Heating
  • Iron, ironing board, hairdryer and bath towels provided
  • Twice weekly cleaning and linen change
  • Open car parking
  • Standard charcoal barbecue
  • Washing machine
  • Private chlorine heated swimming pool 7.90m x 3m (1.40m - 1.50m depth)
  • Pool is heated complimentary for May and October departures, outside these months there is a charge of £120 per week (please request at time of booking)
  • Please note there is a steep interior staircase with no banister on the first 5 steps
  • While alcohol is not sold in Üzümlü’s shops or restaurants, it is easily available in Islamlar, only a five-minute drive away
  • Optional meze delivery service on arrival (7 different mezes, £15pp, minimum order 2 persons)

WiFi

  • All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails*

* We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes due to factors beyond our control reliability can be affected.


Location

  • Village restaurants (Üzümlü) 15min walk downhill 
  • Kalkan (shops/restaurants/beach clubs)15min drive
  • Patara beach 25min drive
  • Dalaman airport 1hr 45min drive

Car hire

Car options

Based on the number of people travelling, the following hire car(s) are included in the package price of your holiday:

  • 2 guests – 1 Group B, Fiat Egea or similar*

* All our cars include full comprehensive insurance with zero excess. For this particular destination, the undercarriage, tyres and windscreen are excluded from the cover.

Car specification

Group B – 1.3 litre petrol engine, 2 large and 2 medium suitcases*

The following cars are available as alternatives on request (supplements apply). Please call our travel specialists for details.

Group D – Dacia Duster or similar, 1.5 litre diesel engine, 3 large and 2 medium suitcases*

Group F – Automatic Fiat Egea or similar, 1.6 litre petrol engine, 2 large and 2 medium suitcases*

Group A – Automatic Ford Kuga SUV or similar, 1.6 litre diesel engine, 3 large and 1 medium suitcases*

Group C – Automatic Citroen C4 SUV or similar, 1.5 litre diesel engine, 2 large and 1 medium suitcases

*Suitcase sizes are based on a large suitcase being approximately 75cm x 45cm x 23cm and a medium suitcase of approximately 60cm x 40cm x 23cm.

Our first holiday with Simpson travel and would highly recommend (and already have done since returning home!). Easy booking system, excellent communication before and throughout our holiday and wonderful accommodation. The welcome pack was an added bonus and we had brilliant advice and recommendations from our local concierge, including her assistance of booking trips for us. All in all a wonderful experience and can’t wait to book the next holiday with Simpsons.

Mrs Judith Kings, July 2024

We booked our last minute holiday less than 48 hours before departure and ALL the Simpsons staff were outstanding, from helping us find an ideal place, to helping change flights / airports, and also whilst on holiday, seeing how we could extend our holiday. In addition, the local representative was brilliant. Zeze was always available and gave us all the time we needed to meet us and answer any questions we had, e.g. where to go, local foods and customs, and all her recommendations and help were spot on. The Simpsons Secret villa in Uzumlu in Turkey was just perfect, just what my wife and I needed. Looking forward to our next holiday through Simpsons.

Mr Manmeet Gill, June 2024

This is a lovely villa - well equipped and comfortable with a delightful garden and pool. We visited both Kas, Kalkan, Patara (ancient site and beach), Xanthos and Letoon. All of which were very interesting. We also visited the village of Bezirgan, which is lovely. It is an agricultural area with traditional farming methods - no polytunnels! Thanks to ZeZe for her help and advice - she made herself always available. Thanks to the cleaning staff - they kept the place spotless and Alpaslan who tended to the garden & roof, and brought fresh bread every day.

Kathy & Alisdair, June 2024

Secret Simpson Uzumulu is a lovely villa; comfotable and well equipped, set in a lovely garden with a really great swimming pool. The temperature was exceedingly hot whilst we were ther in early June... up to 40 degrees! However, the thick walls of the traditional building kept it relatively cool and aircon at night helped. Our consierge Zeze was wonderful offering helpful advice and recommendations. The welcome pack was excellent. We enjoyed several trips exploring the local area and trying different restaurants. The Turkish breakfast Zeze booked for us was outstanding. On the really hot days it was just lovely to sit is a shady spot in the garden and enjoy the pool and the tranquility.

Mrs Kathleen Hinshelwood, June 2024

Simpson's Secret Üzümlü is a delightful house in which to spend a relaxing and stress free holiday. Though in quite a busy area for villas, the garden with its trees, shrubs and fencing give a privacy akin to the garden of Eden. The views from the balcony at sunset are beautiful and the tranquility of the area was bliss. The village is almost an idyllic Turkish haven with plenty of choice for local meals and even has a chemist and a barbers shop. The house is finished to a very high standard and equipped with very new white goods and well supplied with crockery and glassware. I was impressed that the owner has provided an Açerlik water cooler, a feature that many other owners could be encouraged to do like wise at other villas. The whole Simpson experience was a success from start to finish. Thank you.

Mr Chris Ford, May 2024

An individual and interesting villa which was a bit different. It had all the facilities you could wish for and a quiet, shady position on the hillside in the perfect October weather. You needed the car to get to Kalkan and the coast but the village was walkable with a stiff climb back home. The only criticism would be it was a little difficult to find and the local road was fairly steep although that was true for most of the surrounding villas. Mr Carn, October 2023

Mr David Carn, October 2023

We have the most wonderful week in this beautiful, peaceful villa. Everything was perfect. Complete relaxation. Thanks to Zeze for the top recommendations. We spent a pleasant morning in Kalkan and enjoyed iced coffee and lunch watching the boats come and go. A memorable holiday.

Liz and David, September 2023

This was just what we needed after a winter of living surrounded by boxes and building works. Complete relaxation, excellent food, sunshine and sea dips. We also like poking about in ancient sites, Patara was special as was the traditional pancake breakfast at the roadside gozeleme on the way in. Thank you Zeze for all the help, particularly with the boat trip recommendation that was a blissful day.

Colin and Cath, May 2023

A perfect hideaway for a relaxing holiday.

Colin Edwards, May 2023

We have enjoyed every moment here - the calm, the wonderfully ambient pool, the jacuzzi, the sauna everything! Eating out has been an absolute pleasure and the local produce is amazing. The scenery, together with the flora and fauna has been breathtaking, whether here or on our travels. We will take with us treasured memories to last a lifetime and thank you Zeze for her warmth kindness and knowledge.

Gary and Tracey, April 2023

Grading

Property Grading Key:

  • 5/5

    Excellent

  • 4/5

    Very good

  • 3/5

    Good

Close
  • Location

    4/5

    Position, view, serenity, privacy

  • Comfort

    4/5

    Space, style, overall furnishings

  • Facilities*

    4/5

    Property enhancements

  • Amenities*

    4/5

    Proximity to beaches, restaurants and shops

* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.

A pretty mountain village just above Kalkan Bay, Islamlar is a place of bucolic tranquillity and rustic architecture set against the dramatic backdrop of the Taurus Mountains. In the heart of Islamlar you will still find a truly traditional way of life, unchanged throughout the centuries: an old tea house, a bakery where flour is still ground by millstones and shepherds herding their sheep among the olive trees.

Nearby is Islamlar’s even sleepier neighbour, Üzümlü. This traditional village is wonderfully unspoilt – a place where you can fully immerse yourself in the every-day comings and goings of rural Turkey. 

But should you wish to experience a more cosmopolitan expression of Turkish hospitality, Kalkan with its beach clubs, vibrant waterfront bars and rooftop restaurants, is just a short drive away, giving you the best of all worlds.

To complete the picture, visit our handpicked selection of lovely villas in Islamlar & Üzümlü.


Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Islamlar & Üzümlü


 

Read more on our Islamlar & Üzümlü region page


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