Turkey's 'Palace of Oba'

Sean Gillic, managing director of Turkish Property Invest (TPI) provides an insight into Alanya's Obasaray 4 development…

Obasaray 4 is a development which makes a bold statement; its literal translation being the 'Palace of Oba' – but does it deliver?

Looking closer at the development itself – a combination of 70 two-bed apartments and 15 four-bed luxury duplexes – the quality of build, attention to interior finishes and lifestyle 'add-ons', makes the answer to the initial question obvious.

Said 'add-ons' include a gym, massage facilities, European social centre, tennis court, 200m3 pool with aqua slide, as well as 'on-hand' 24 hour emergency apartment maintenance service with a fully automated, internet-based property management solution.

These properties, set within secure, landscaped grounds with a stunning communal pool area, and serviced by an on-site restaurant and juice bar, provide more than a simple holiday home. For families, they offer peace of mind in a genuine 'home away from home' environment, while investors can sleep soundly, knowing that Alanya's tourism industry is worth approx €1.1billion; is responsible for 9% of all tourism in Turkey; and extends to 9/10 months of the year.

Obasaray 4 would certainly appear to be an attractive proposition, located as it is, a mere 4.5 minutes (by taxi) from the city centre and its eclectic range of restaurants and buzzing nightlife, as well as being a stone's throw away from one of the most beautiful beaches in southern Turkey – Keykubat/Orange Beach.

Furthermore, the development lies next door to a comprehensive 10,000m2 shopping centre which incorporates a supermarket and all which the home may require, as well as a range of delectable eateries. If that were not enough, Tesco/Kipa has also just recently opened and is a mere 600m from Obasaray 4.

So why, in an environment that is addicted to the 'next best place' has there been so little coverage about Alanya, if on the surface it seems so attractive?

For one, it has taken its time, at its own pace, to appeal on all levels. Hasan Sipahioglu, Alanya's Mayor, has been instrumental in making this ancient, crime-free seaside resort a low emission, carbon neutral city with extensive public facilities, including a 4.5km walkway from the beach to the stunning Taurus mountains.

Similarly, Alanya made a conscious decision to wait for the right time to expound upon its virtues without jumping on the 'Turkey bandwagon'. Those virtues include its 4-5 degree higher temperature in the winter than other popular coastal resorts; its proximity to several internationally respected championship golf courses; 15km of beach; a second international marina (currently under construction) and easy access to high quality ski facilities.

All of this may sound very modern, but Alanya is a city of historical importance – the cliff-side castle and remarkable 'red tower' being testament to this. Its name dates back to the 13th century and is a derivative of the Sultan 'Ala ad-Din Kay-Qubad,' though the history of the city dates back many centuries before that.

The result of Alanya's many incarnations is its genuine acceptance of foreigners within its cultural heritage. Indeed, the integrated community has spread its wings to include recent buyers from Scandinavia, Germany, Holland, Ireland and more recently, UK citizens.

Medical facilities in Alanya are equally impressive with three private hospitals offering cutting-edge medical treatment facilities to Turks and Europeans alike. There are also a significant number of dental clinics offering exceptional levels of treatment. With treatment costing as little as 35% of their European counterparts, it is not surprising that dentistry has contributed significantly to the recent increase in medical tourism taking place in Alanya.

"For some it's the micro-climate with an average temperature of 72 °F (22 °C) and for others it's the range of facilities on offer", comments Mr. Gillic. "However, for most, Alanya's attraction lies in the overall package it can offer to whoever might be interested in discovering this unassuming gem."

Click here to browse the properties for sale in the Obasaray 4 development.

TPI is a trademark of International Property Investments (IPI) which is a company specialising in the development, sales and marketing of apartments, villas and commercial properties along the Turkish Riviera, specifically in Alanya.

Click here to read more about TPI.

Browse TPI's range of Turkish properties for sale now.

Information provided by M Group Ltd. and Turkish Property Invest (TPI). | Last Updated: 04 February 2008