Recommended Hotels
Given limited space, only those hotels that we can whole-heartedly recommend are listed – they must have great character, provide excellent value, be well located, particularly friendly or unusually well equipped with amenities.
The symbols below indicate the price range for a double room with bath, including breakfast, in high season; costs will be considerably lower at other times, although many coastal hotels close between November and April.
$$$$$ above £200 ($325)
$$$$ £130–200 ($210–325)
$$$ £80–130 ($130–210)
$$ £50–80 ($80–130)
$ below £50 ($80)
Aegean Coast
Assos (Behramkale)
Berceste $$$ Sivrice Feneri, Bektaş Köyü, 10km west of Assos, tel: 0286-723 4616, www.bercestehotel.com. Stone walls, flagged floors and wooden beams characterise this hillside guesthouse with fabulous views towards Lésvos. There’s a pebble beach 400m downhill. Half-board only.
Biber Evi $$$$ Behramkale square, tel: 0286-721 7410, www.biberevi.com. Peppers (biberler) are the theme here – 20 types in the garden, tiles depicting them in the 6 units. Fittings carved from recycled wood; a fireplace-lounge-bar is the big winter hit, though the upper terrace is the pièce de resistance. Half-board obligatory in season.
Ayvalık
Sızma Han $$$ Gümrük Caddesi, İkinci Sok 49, tel: 0266-312 7700, www.butiksizmahan.com. Beautifully redone olive mill from 1908; tastefully modern rooms with veneer floors and furniture preserve stone pointing. Common areas include a competent, seafood-strong terrace restaurant and a fireplace lounge. Booking essential.
Bozcaada (Tenedos)
Katina $$$ Cumhuriyet Mh. 20. Eylul Cad., tel: 90 533 737 1924, www.katinaas.com. Designer hotel occupying two former Greek houses; rooms vary save for grey-wood lattice ceilings throughout. Breakfast at tables in the lane under the vines, or at the cozy café opposite. Open April–Oct.
Çanakkale
Kervansaray $$$ Fetvane Sok 13, tel: 0286-217 8192, www.anzachotel.com/kervansaray.htm. Justifiably popular hotel comprising a 1903-vintage judge’s mansion and a less distinguished rear annexe. Best of the mansion rooms with their mock Belle-Époque furnishings are no. 206 or 207, overlooking the garden.
Çeşme Peninsula
Sheraton Çeşme $$$$ Sifme Caddesi 35, Ilıca, tel: 0232-750 0000, www.sheratoncesme.com. This Sheraton, like others in the chain, is an oasis of sumptuous luxury, with a private beach, kids’ programs and one of the best spas in the area.
Taş Otel $$$$ Kemalpaşa Caddesi, Alaçatı, tel: 0232-716 7772, www.tasotel.com. This former Greek village near Çeşme has a dozen boutique restoration inns; this, installed in an 1890s mansion, was the first and still about the best. Breakfast terrace overlooks the lawn-set pool; just 7 rooms, so bookings are mandatory. Open all year.
Eskı Foça
Lola 38 $$$ Reha Midilli 140, Küçükdeniz Bay, tel: 0532-617 2035 or 0232-812 3809. Boutique hotel occupying a former Orthodox priest’s mansion, with two upstairs units retaining their original ceilings and fittings. Three more rooms occupy stone outbuildings in the back garden with its lawn-bar, venue for scrumptious breakfasts.
Gallipoli peninsula
Gallipoli Houses $$$ Kocadere village, 7km north of Kabatepe road, tel: 0286-814 2650, www.gallipoli.com.tr. A restored main house and newer garden units offer boutique comfort. Breakfasts are hearty, while suppers are gourmet standard, with a full regional wine cellar. Half board only Mon–Fri in low season.
İzmir
Beyond $$$–$$$$ 1376 Cad. 5, Alsancak, İzmir, tel: 0232-463 0585, www.hotelbeyond.com. This trendy place near the seafront makes slightly disconcerting use of six colours in the rooms (supposedly for Chakra therapy), but it’s stylish, comfortable and has plentiful amenities for business travellers, including a good restaurant.
Wyndham Grand İzmir özdilek$$$ İnciraltı Caddesi 67, Balçova, İzmir, tel: 0232-292 1300. One of the best local luxury hotels, a round reflective tower in a quiet seafront location with all expected facilities (including the Agamemnon Spa) and a regular shuttle into the city centre.
Kuşadası
Kismet $$$ Gazi Beğendi Bulvarı 1, Turkmen Mahallesi, Kuşadası, tel: 0256-618 1290, www.kismet.com.tr. Built in 1966 by Princess Hümeyra Özbaş (1917–2000), a grand-daughter of the last sultan, this venerable hotel set on its own peninsula is still run by her descendants. Airy rooms and suites; large pool. Open all year.
Muses House $$$ Kırazlı village, House 158, 11km east of Kuşadası, tel: 0256-667 1125, www.museshouse.com. In one of the loveliest Aegean valleys, a very civilised, five-room boutique inn with plenty of homey communal areas (including scholarly library and garden-pool). Half-board available. Open Apr–Oct.
Pamukkale
Venüs $ Hasan Tahsin Caddesi 16, Pamukkale Köyü, tel: 0258-272 2152, www.venushotel.net. Friendly family-run hotel plushly furnished with kilims and traditional furniture; small garden, fireplace-lounge and pool. The garden restaurant has a good selection of vegetarian food.
Selçuk
Kalehan $$ North end of main through road (Highway 550), Selçuk, tel: 0232-892 6154, www.kalehan.com. Highest-standard hotel in Selçuk, with antiques and mock-Ottoman decor wedded to modern conveniences, and a competent restaurant. Extensive pool-garden with views up to the castle just behind. Open all year.
Nişanyan Hotel $$$–$$$$ Şirince village 5km east of Selçuk, top of south slope, tel: 0232-898 3208, www.nisanyan.com. Superbly atmospheric outfit comprising a five-room central building with sweeping views; three restored village houses suitable for families just below; a five-unit tower; and the idyllic İlyastepe cottages uphill, set amongst terraces of lavender, orchards and ponds. Spring-fed pool; restaurant.
Turquoise Coast
Bodrum and peninsula
Aegean Gate $$ Akçabük Mevki, Kumbahçe Mahallesi, Güvercin Sokağı 2, Bodrum, tel: 90 532 223 5089, www.aegeangatehotel.com. Beautiful Irish-owned mini-hotel (2 apartments and 4 suites, each fitting 3) in a dramatically rocky setting about 10 minutes from Bodrum centre; top marks for service.
Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay $$$$ Kızılağaç Koyu, Gerenkuyu Mevkii, Yalıçiftlik, tel: 0252-311 0303, www.kempinski.com/en/bodrum. Gorgeous, family-friendly resort includes the sumptuous Six Senses spa, several excellent restaurants and water sports, set on a virtually private bay north of Bodrum. 173 rooms, suites and villas.
Princess Artemisia $$$$ Tilkicik Koyu, Yalikavak, tel: 0252 385 4133. Situated in heavenly Yalikavak, near Bodrum, an oasis of casual luxury and serenity. Offers 80 rooms, tropical gardens and a 100 m long private beach. Facilities include a tennis court, watersports, children’s play areas and massage rooms.
Dalyan
Dalyan Resort $$$–$$$$ Kaunos Sok. 50, Maraş Mahallesi, tel: 0252-284 5499, www.dalyanresort.com. Riverside complex that’s the town’s most comfortable digs, with four grades of tasteful, travertine-tiled units, an airy domed restaurant, rental canoes and a hamam offering mud therapy. Popular with package operators.
Kilim $ Kaunos Sokağı 11, tel: 0252-284 2253, www.kilimhotel.com. Attractive and friendly little hotel with good-sized rooms (some air conditioned), proper stall-showers, a palm-shaded pool and indeed plenty of kilims. Riverside annexe where breakfast is served, home-cooked meals (plus regular barbecue nights).
Marmaris
Dionysos $$$$ Kumlubük, Bozburun Peninsula tel: 0252-476 7957, www.dionysoshotel.net. Olive-grove estate hotel with 27 secluded villas, some with private pools (complementing the communal infinity pool and spa). The restaurant may have delicacies like carpaccio-ed akya fish and marinated orkinos (tuna), as well as creative desserts. Most units available only through Exclusive Escapes (for more information, click here).
Lycian Coast
Çirali
Odile $$ Just north of mid-beach, tel: 0242-825-7163, www.hotelodile.com. The best-value top-end hotel here comprises 36 large, decently equipped rooms and suites, set in lush gardens around a large pool; there are also private beach loungers. On-site restaurant, mixed clientele and yoga/massage teaching area. Closed Nov–Feb.
Fethiye
Villa Daffodil $$ Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi 115, İkinci Karagözler, tel: 0252-614 9595, www.villadaffodil.com. Mid-range hotel on a landscaped shoreline 1km (0.62 miles) from the centre. A pool, restaurant, hamam and fair-sized rooms, make booking recommended.
Kalkan
Lizo $ Milli Egemenlik Caddesi, Kalamar Yolu 57, tel: 0242-844 3381, http://lizohotel.com. Two-wing, family-run hotel near the top of Kalkan, with bar-restaurant, garden and small pool. Great views, exceptionally friendly service and excellent food make this a firm favourite, in spite of the steep walk back from the beach.
Villa Mahal $$$$ 1.5km east of town, easterly bay shore, tel: 0242-844 3268, www.villamahal.com. At Kalkan’s most exclusive lodging, a segmented veranda snakes around 10 irregularly-shaped standard rooms, while steps descend past an infinity pool to the sea and lido – with jaw dropping views en route. A pool suite and two cottages share the same designer-minimalist decor. Open May–Oct.
Kaş
Deniz Feneri Lighthouse $$$$ North leg of loop road, 8km out on Çukurbağ Peninsula, tel: 0242-836 2741, UK bookings only via Exclusive Escapes (for more information, click here). Luxury hotel with just 12 minimalist doubles or family suites, overlooking gardens tumbling down to a 150m (492 ft) lido and a good (expensive) waterside restaurant. At reception level there’s an infinity pool, hamam and area for (excellent) breakfasts. Sunset views over the open sea.
Gardenia $$$ Hükümet Caddesi 47, Küçükçakıl, tel: 0541 231 1691, www.gardeniahotel-kas.com. Ambitious boutique hotel with just 11 varied rooms and suites featuring Philippe Starck decor and marble floors distributed over four floors. Buffet breakfast to 11am; no children under 12. Open Apr–Nov.
Hideaway $$ Anfitiyatro sok. 7 , tel: 0242-836 1887, www.hotelhideaway.com. Recently refurbished, this is the most attractive budget hotel in town, with airy third-floor rooms and a pricier jacuzzi suite. Features a small plunge pool, a library-lounge, and a stunning rooftop restaurant with homestyle cooking. Open all year.
Ölüdeniz
Montana Pine Resort $$$$ Ovacık Mahallesi, Hisarönü, tel: 0252-444 6859, www.montanapine.com. Set on a forested hillside overlooking Ölüdeniz, this self-contained resort has rooms and suites scattered in clusters, two pools, unusually good on-site restaurants, and all other facilities you’d expect in a four-star outfit.
Oyster Residences $$$$ Middle of Belceğiz promenade, tel: 0252-617 0765, www.oysterresidences.com. The area’s (very successful) first boutique hotel. The 26 large, wooden-floored rooms with quality soft furnishings surround a fair-sized pool with wooden decking, but they also have direct beach access.
Patara (Gelemiş)
Patara Viewpoint $ Top of east ridge road, Gelemiş, tel: 0242-843 5184 or 0242 843 5257, www.pataraviewpoint.com. This long-established hotel has an unbeatable setting, American-style wall showers in the bathrooms, a pool-bar where breakfast is served, and a cushioned, Turkish-style nocturnal terrace with fireplace. Advantageous weekly rates; open March–Nov.
Mediterranean Coast
Alanya
Kaptan $$$ İskele Caddesi 70, tel: 0242-513 4900, www.kaptanhotels.com. A well-established central hotel near the Red Tower, this makes a great (and affordable) base for exploration. Pool, terrace, bar and two restaurants, one harbour view.
Antalya
Hillside Su $$-$$$$ Konyaalti, 1.5km from centre, tel: 0242-249 0700. .Antalya’s flashest in-town digs is a dazzlingly cool sea of white with stylish mirror accents. There is a sumptuous spa, private pebble beach, fine dining and a popular bar with nightly entertainment.
Mediterra Art $$ Zafer Sokağı 5, Kaleiçi, Antalya, tel: 0242-244 8624, www.mediterraarthotel.com. Comprises three knocked-together Ottoman houses containing a total of 21 rooms and suites furnished with polished wood, exposed stone pointing and carpets. Features a courtyard pool, indoor/outdoor restaurants and bar.
Villa Perla $ Barbaros Mahallesi, Hesapçı Sokak 26, Kaleiçi, tel: 0242-247 4341, www.villaperla.com. Beautifully restored, 11-room family-run Ottoman mansion-hotel with a shady courtyard pool and excellent restaurant serving fine vegetarian food.
Belek
Ela Quality Resort $$$$ İskele Mevkii, Belek, tel: 0242-710 2200, www.elaresort.com. Very glamorous and cosmopolitan, this is among the newest of Belek’s 5-star resorts catering to golfers, with a private beach, plenty of other sports facilities and evening entertainment for between rounds.
Side
Beach House $ Barbaros Caddesi, tel: 242-753 1607, www.beachhouse-hotel.com. Small, friendly hotel with balconied rooms overlooking Side’s eastern beach. The resort’s first (1965) lodgings, it has plenty of character but is also well managed by an Australian-Turkish couple; affiliated restaurant is run by their son.