Imagine starting the day exercising with British Olympic legends while receiving hints and tips to elevate your fitness. All this is set against the stunning backdrop of the Aegean Sea in the Delice Peninsula, Didim, Turkey. At the five-star Anda Barut Resort, this experience is a reality.
From May 7 to May 11, 2025, guests can experience a unique Wellness Week fitness retreat featuring celebrated athletes, including Max Whitlock, the most successful gymnast in Olympic history, and heptathlon gold medallist Dame Jess Ennis-Hill.
This year’s event followed last May’s successful launch of the luxurious €150 million resort by some of the country’s top athletes ahead of the Paris Olympic Games – and now some of them are back for round two this week.
Last year saw the launch by double heptathlon champion Denise Lewis and marathon champion Paula Radcliffe, double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, silver medallist hurdler Colin Jackson, Atlanta Silver medallist and 4X400m champion Jamie Baulch and one of the greatest athletes of all time, decathlon champion Daley Thompson.
This year’s roster promises an extraordinary lineup of activities and even more fabulous Olympians. Each day begins with a breakfast fit for champions and the choice of a walk with one of the greatest decathletes of all time, double gold-winning Daley Thompson, or a run with marathon champion Paula Radcliffe. This is followed by epic seafront circuits with London 2012 champion Jess Ennis-Hill and Jamie Baulch, who won silver in Atlanta in 1996.
This year, guests can enjoy peaceful beachside walks with Olympic medallists, perfect their rowing technique with Vicky Thornley and Ric Edgington, and swim with double Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington.
As the day progresses, guests can engage in energetic dance sessions with Strictly Come Dancing legends -Dance Shred with James, Ola Jordan, and Fitsteps with Ian Waite. Alternatively, there are boxercise sessions with Jordan from JE Thrive. As the sun sets each day, guests can unwind with yoga classes led by diving medallist Leon Taylor.
Last year, I was fortunate enough to experience the excellent facilities of Anda Barut firsthand. Now, I am lucky enough to return, and it is even better than before, with loads of new features. I can attest that the impressive hotel is exceptional in terms of accommodation. It is so vast that you regularly get lost walking around it, but there are always friendly staff, roller-skating waitresses, and waiters around to help you.
There are an incredible 547 rooms, from the penthouse to family rooms to rooms and suites in the adults-only area and mixed zone, some with stunning views of the Delice Peninsula. There are also 13 ultra-exclusive Bayou Villas, set in a private enclave of the resort. The premium offering is a three-bedroom private property with a pool and sun-soaked terrace.
When you stay here, you can access the invigorating wellness week activities and the all-inclusive amenities of the Anda Barut Collection hotel, including world-class restaurants. We stayed in a spacious family suite, overlooking the main pool and beach. The bathroom has twin sinks and a rainfall shower.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of my visit in 2024 was the incredible beachfront beach circuits camp with Daley Thompson, Denise Lewis, Paula Radcliffe, Colin Jackson, and Jamie Baulch. Arriving at the meeting area, crowds of healthy people milled about, sipping shakes as we waited to start the daily seafront circuits. 2025 kept the same spirit alive, adding the energy of Dame Jess Ennis Hill and Max Whitlock to the mix.
We warmed up gently, and then the world-class athletes started putting us through our paces, squats with Colin and planks with Denise as Jamie strutted the air guitar while trying to get us to do burpees. Daley was the king of the circuits, making us do stretches and HIT exercises and imparting words of wisdom with great humour.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a shake made by Chris Baber from NGX Protein Shakes and Energy Balls and chatted with Jamie and Colin before the next class. These two athletes go back a long way. Colin was Jamie’s coach, who lifted him into the Olympic medallist club, and it was fascinating to see their banter and camaraderie. It was incredible to see them and Denise and Paula milling about, interacting with everyone. Then it was off to the next class. With so many activities on offer, from yoga to aquafit and boxing, I wanted to do it all.
But as all the classes would be repeated for the next three days, I decided to pace myself and recharge the batteries. We found a sun lounger just by the family pool, and an hour later, my daughter and I decided to participate in Strictly Come Dancing star Ian Waite’s Fit Steps class. Our daughter was so excited to be dancing with a Strictly icon. She got into it immediately and ended up at the front dancing opposite Ian. It was a proud moment seeing her right up there strutting her stuff.
She also made friends with a girl named Ella, whose parents are Strictly stars James and Ola Jordan. It was wonderful to see her amongst Olympic and dance champions, with Ian’s Strictly partner Denise Lewis in the crowd. What an utterly surreal experience.
My fiancé had a swimming lesson with Rebecca Adlington. It was incredible to see this Olympic legend at work. She put the class through their paces and showed them new techniques. Our daughter, who is learning to swim, was in awe and came to meet her Olympic heroine. We finished the day’s exercise with James and Ola’s Dance Shred.
On the final night, we attended the Champions Dinner at the Kara Turkish Restaurant and found ourselves at a table with Rebecca and her husband, Andy. It was incredible to hear more about her journey and to eat a delicious meal together as we chatted about our families, travelling, and Becky’s hometown of Mansfield.
On another table were Denise and Colin, and on another Daley and Jamie and Cheryl and another with the rowers Vicky and Ric, and Leon on another and a table reserved for the Strictly dancers Ian and James and Ola. It was an incredible atmosphere; everyone mingled, chatting and enjoying a delicious dinner.
I also got to speak to Ian Waite, who invited my daughter and me to a special dance class when we returned to his hometown in Surrey. With that in mind, she went to the kids’ club disco to show off her moves. We continued to chat away and then all made our way towards the main stage, where a spectacular dance show kept us entertained.
Afterwards, we popped into the Olivae Patisserie for a sweet treat, like walking into Willy Wonka’s chocolate shop. It was a hit with the athletes, too. I discovered that Daley, in particular, has a sweet tooth. The hot chocolates are delicious and the delicate pastries are divine.
The third and final day was exhilarating as I got to run with Paula Radcliffe. She stopped afterwards at the juice bar to have a quick chat. We spoke about the run and how we had both lived in Loughborough. I couldn’t believe I was running with one of the greatest female marathon runners and spending time in this Aegean paradise.
When I wasn’t sweating, I indulged in the impressive array of food choices at one of 10 restaurants on the site. All of which are bookable via a handy app. However, the food was so good at the buffet that we returned time and time to the hotel’s Zestful Bazaar restaurant. The buffet offers everything from fresh pastries to colourful salads, setting the tone for daily fitness activities like boot camp sessions with Olympians.
At the buffet, I loaded my plate with sushi, avocado, fish, and delicious fruits. I had never seen so many colours on a plate and not a carb in sight, yet I felt wonderfully full and satisfied.
However, there was still room for dessert and the choice was incredible. Bake Off eat your heart out, the food at Anda is on another level. The Pink Rabbit kid buffet is ideal too for little fussy eaters. You can also enjoy sea views at the Fish Camp la carte restaurant, witnessing spectacular sunsets as you dine with champions.
The No Se A’la Carte restaurant served stunning Italian food. We spent the evening chatting to another family. Booking a table at any of the restaurants is easy with the Anda Barut app. The food in all of them is superb, with a wide variety of tasty and healthy choices for Olympians, especially at the buffet at Zestful Bazaar, where we went for pudding.
We stopped by the boutique to get some souvenirs, and then it was off to bed for an early departure the next morning. However, the main stage was still going with entertainment. It is a fantastic resort for families, and there is something for everyone.
At breakfast the next morning, I talked with Daley Thompson about what it takes to be one of the greatest athletes of all time, and he imparted some advice for my niece, who is currently competing at the county level in the high jump, which was an extraordinary moment. After all the excitement, I decided to swap Daley’s boot camp for the more serene environment of Olympic diver Leon Taylor’s yoga class. It was such a surreal couple of days that it was just what I needed to float back down to earth.
Leon was incredibly calm and measured, and his vibe helped me process the great weekend we had just experienced. It was also what my aching muscles required, and I stretched myself back into shape and meditated to get myself in a calm headspace for the journey home. While in such a relaxed state, my partner and I should have a couples massage. I was convinced to have a full Turkish bath with full body scrub and a massage, although there was an extra charge, while he opted for an Indian Head Massage, and we both had Balinese massages.
And as if that wasn’t enough, on the way home we got to share a VIP transfer with Colin Jackson, who told us about his journey to the top of his sport, what it was like to compete around the world and what he is up to now. What an incredible way to round off a trip of a lifetime. Best of all, I got to share this with my family, a holiday we will never forget.
The hotel is extremely family-friendly, with a dedicated kids zone, a park, and a fairground ride for hours of fun. It also has a full adventure park, waterslides, a games arcade, a zipline, and a climbing wall. Families can also visit the Temple of Apollo to acquaint themselves with this incredible region’s history.
The temple, dedicated to the god of light and music, was built in 150 AD. It was an extraordinary experience to see the huge pillars, touch the remains of the altar, where the oracle and high priestess once sat, and walk in ancient footsteps. There are still drawings on the temple wall. Before we left, we enjoyed a strong cup of Turkish coffee.
This year, I am back and will be reviewing the resort again. I can recommend that for those looking to combine a fitcation with wellness and family-friendly amenities, the Anda Barut Resort is a remarkable holiday destination. From boot camps with Olympians to relaxing yoga sessions, it’s a getaway that promises unforgettable memories. From the outset, it is clear that Anda Barut is one of Turkey’s finest hotels. The Olympic launch helped it become synonymous with health and fitness, which truly deserves a gold medal.
The Wellness Worldwide event was organised by the fabulous Cheryl Hicks, who runs Call Bruce. She has organised a superb event both years, and now it is firmly rooted in the Anda Barut calendar. Cheryl and her partner Jamie Baulch make an incredible team. Cheryl planned and executed both events and continues to do so across the globe. We met at The Body Holiday in Saint Lucia, where she organised a retreat with Derek Redmond.
Turkey holds a special place in her heart, and the Anda Barut collection is particularly special to her. Cheryl said: I chose Turkey because at 18, I worked as a nanny for a fantastic family, and I still cherish that experience. The people treated me like a sister, and I was captivated by it all. Now, 35 years later, with my children in university, I have the chance to reconnect with Turkey by working with the incredible Anda Barut hotel, and this is how it all began.
“I used to organise Olympic athletes to come to events in the Caribbean, and I regularly organise for Olympians to do speeches for corporates and clients, but wellness is where my heart is, so having the opportunity to put on an event for the launch of the Anda Barut collection was fantastic. During the first year of having all these athletes here, they all loved sharing their knowledge after their retirement and getting people to move, so that is why it all came about.”
She added: “So we have had all these incredible athletes launch the hotel last year, and in between that, we had the Paris Olympics. Then they came back this year to do it again, and this year, we have Dame Jess Ennis Hill and Max Whitlock with us.”
“The hotel is a joy to work with. We love working with Anda; the facilities are incredible, including the food, drinks, and service. What more can you want?
“The second year has been even better. We started with this as a wellness weekend, then it turned into a week, and now we are thinking about having a wellness month, with world-class yoga instructors and athletes here.”
I highly recommend staying at Anda Barut during this special week for those looking for a unique holiday. When else can you hang out with your sporting heroes and have the holiday of a lifetime? Guests can book onto all the classes when they stay, completely free of charge.
I flew with Jet2 from Birmingham to Izmir and will fly back from Bodrum to Luton. Book now https://www.jet2.com/
Book accommodation directly with https://barutanda.com/en
Next year the event will be even bigger and better. Register your interest .
