We had thought we would do some camping in Turkey but ended up staying in hotels and pensions as they were generally affordable and we like a shower at the end of the day! We haven’t included the rates we paid for each room as price is so variable in Turkey, depending on the season and how much the innkeeper feels like negotiating on any given day. Generally we paid between 50 -100TL for a room with an ensuite, wi-fi and breakfast. In some of the bigger cities (Antalya, Istanbul, etc.) we occasionally paid more than 100TL but never more than 150TL. In many places there may have been hostels and less expensive places to stay but we chose to spend a bit more to get a few more comforts.
Here are the details of where we stayed:
Cesme – Nese Otel, Inkilap Cad 16 Eylul mahallesi, 3025 Sok No 37 (www.neseotel.net). We had a double room with ensuite, TV, free wi-fi, breakfast included. Bikes were stored in the first floor hallway. The hotel is tucked away into a little neighborhood and was very quiet. It is a short walk to all the shops and the seaside. The room was basic but clean. The breakfasts were very good, with cooked eggs. The manager Emre was very friendly and helpful with good English and all of the other members of the staff were very nice. There is a lovely little courtyard to hang out in as well. Bikes were kept inside on ground floor.
Sigacik/Seferihisar (78k from Cesme) – Hotel Three B Marine, Sığacık Mahallesi, Akkum Caddesi No:55, Seferihisar/İZMİR (info@hotelthreeb.com.tr). We had a double room, ensuite, wi-fi, breakfast included. The hotel looks a bit old from the outside but the rooms are nice and clean and the family that runs the hotel is very nice. The daughter speaks very good English. Bikes were kept in dining room area.
Note this hotel is in the village of Sigacik, which is about 5k west of the main road toward the water, away from the larger town of Seferihisar. The only hotel in Seferihisar appears to be one on the main road about 2k before you reach the town center – we asked several people in town and they all pointed us to Sigacik. There are several other hotels and pensions in Sigacik, as well as some restaurants and cafes
Selcuk (78k from Sigacik) – Boomerang Guesthouse, Ataturk Mah. Ugur Mumcu Sevgi Yolu, 1047 Sok. No:10 (www.boomerangguesthouse.com) (on street just behind the Ephesus Museum). We had a double room with ensuite, AC/heat and small patio, b’fast included. Free wi-fi is available in terrace room upstairs. Our room was good size and clean. It was relatively cold when we were there so we were very happy to have the individually controlled heater. We heard from a couple of people staying in the dorm room downstairs that it was very cold and there was no heating unit down there. There are lots of different types of accommodation at the guesthouse. Bikes were kept in courtyard.
Breakfasts at the guesthouse were good, with cooked eggs. There is a great kebab shop right next door. The guesthouse is pretty central to everything. There are lots of accommodation options in Selcuk.
Didim (97k from Selcuk) – Kent Hotel Atatürk Bulvarı Kent Hotel No 11 Altınkum Didim (http://www.didimkenthotel.com). We had a double room, ensuite, fridge, free wi-fi in room, b’fast included. The hotel is on the main road heading down to the water. Room was a bit dated but clean. Lots of restaurants and shops nearby. Bikes were kept in basement room.
Bodrum (100k from Didim) – Myndos Pansiyon, Sanat Okulu Caddesi Carsi Mahallesi 1017 Sokak No 11. We had a double room, ensuite, free wi-fi in room, b’fast included. This was a lovely little pension just a couple streets back from the water. The family running it was very friendly and helpful, and the son spoke very good English. The room was bright and clean, bathroom as a bit small but sufficient. Breakfast was good and was served in the rooftop terrace. It was quiet at night even though it was close to the busy shopping/restaurant area. We stayed 3 nights and could have easily stayed a few days more. Bikes were kept inside on the ground floor.
Datca (ferry across from Bodrum) – Tunç Pansiyon, Iskele Mah Datca. We had a double room with ensuite, free wi-fi in lobby area, no breakfast (too early in season). This is a great family-run pension right in Datca town centre. The rooms were bright and clean. Bikes were kept inside under stairwell.
Marmaris (73k from Datca) – Otel Dost, Org. Mustafa MuglalI Cad. No: 74, Marmaris. We had a double room, ensuite, free wi-fi in room, b’fast included. This was a newly refurbished hotel and was a great bargain, with the rate about the same as much dingier pensions around. Bikes were kept locked in the garden area on the ground floor.
Koycegiz (64k from Marmaris) – Flora Hotel, Ulucamil Mah, Kordon Boyu 96, Koycegiz (www.florahotel.info). We had a double room with ensuite, free wi-fi (slow) in dining room), b’fast included. The room was pretty small but was clean and included a balcony with views to the lake. Bikes were kept in the dining room area. There is a great terrace at the front of the hotel, looking right over the lake – very picturesque. Alp, the owner of the hotel/pension, is a great guy and can give lots of information about the area. The town doesn’t look like much at first but I think it would be a great place to hang out.
Fethiye (74k from Koycegiz ) Yeniceri Hotel Gaffar Okkan Cad No:10, Fethiye. We had a double room with ensuite, balcony, fridge, free wi-fi in room. The hotel is a little bit dated but the room is clean. Hotel is in the town centre, close to the water on the main road running through town.
Kalkan (84k from Koycegiz) – Kalkan Gul Pension, Yali boyu mah. 7 nolu sok no 10, Kalkan (up narrow road by the Sofra (?) Restaurant. We had a double room with ensuite, including breakfast. Wi-fi was available on the terrace. Bikes were kept locked in owner’s yard downstairs. This was a fairly basic pension but was clean and the owner was friendly with decent English. It was relatively inexpensive for Kalkan standards – most places seemed somewhat expensive and often prices were quoted in euros. There were a couple of other pensions right nearby that were okay as well but a little more expensive.
Kaş (28k from Kalkan) – Hideaway Hotel, Eski Kilise Arkasi. No:7, Kas (www.hideawayhotel.com). We had a double room with ensuite, free wi-fi, breakfast included. Bikes were kept locked on patio under eaves of hotel. Great little hotel with newly renovated rooms, bright and clean, a real bargain for what you get. There is a great terrace looking out over the sea where they serve good dinners as well, with wine and drinks to purchase at decent prices, as well as a lounge area to hang out in and meet up with other travelers. There are some cheaper places in town as well. We much preferred Kas to Kalkan – feels like a much more relaxed place with a good Turkish population, not just a resort town.
Finike (76k from Kaş) – Engin Hotel, on a frontage street just off the main road going through town after you pass the marina (on the right). This is a fairly basic business man’s hotel but room and ensuite bathroom were pretty clean, simple breakfast was included, wi-fi worked in the room. There are a couple of other hotels in town but they seemed relatively expensive. Bikes were kept locked in a storage area on the ground floor. There are some restaurants and cafes in the small town area near the hotel.
Çirali (53k from Finike) – Oleander Pension, Ulupinar Koyu (www.oleanderpension.com). This hotel/restaurant was down near the beach but not too far of a walk from the main little town area. The room was decent, with ensuite and A/C, breakfast included, no TV. Wi-fi was available but unfortunately did not work in our room. There are many, many, many hotels and pensions in Cirali and it is a bit hard to pick something as they are relatively spread out. This place was fine though we probably could have found something cheaper if we had been up for searching a bit more.
Antalya (81k from Cirali)– Village Tulipan, Kiliçaslan Mah. Kaledibi Sokak 6 Antalya (http://www.villatulipan.com/). Great renovated house in the old town area of Antalya, with various room options. We stayed in the quirky ‘Bird Room’ up on the top floor, extremely comfortable bed, ensuite, TV with English channels, wi-fi in the room, breakfast included. It was right next to the rooftop terrace so might be noisy during peak season but was perfect when we were there. Bikes were kept in locked garden area under cover. There are lots of accommodation options in this big city, including lots of other hotels and pensions and hostels in the old town area.
Side (78k from Antalya) – Beach House Hotel, right on the beach in the old area of Side (http://www.beachhouse-hotel.com/). We had a nice clean room with a balcony facing the sea, ensuite, wi-fi in the room, breakfast included, bikes kept locked in the garden area. We stayed here two nights. Easy walking distance to the Side ruins. There are lots of restaurants and cafes around the area.
Alanya (65k from Side) – Miray Hotel, Saray Mah. Ataturk Cad. No : 146 (http://www.mirayotel.com/), just across the main road from Kleopatra Beach. Older hotel but rooms are still decent and clean. We had a nice room on 4th floor with balcony facing the sea, wi-fi in room, TV with English channels. Rate was half-board so dinner and breakfast were included, food was decent. Bikes were kept locked in luggage storage area. Lots of hotels in Alanya and lots of cafes and restaurants.
Gazipasa (52k from Alanya) – Selinus Beach Club, Yat Limani, Marina, Selinus Beach. This didn’t turn out to be a great hotel as it seemed to be not really ready for guests so we had lots of things that didn’t work – initially no hot water, wi-fi didn’t work until later in the evening when someone came to fix it, TV didn’t work. The room wasn’t all that great and the place seemed like a morgue. The room rate was half-board but the restaurant wasn’t serving, you had to go over to a little restaurant on the beach for dinner. Food was okay but we left before breakfast. Bikes were kept locked outside under the eaves of the hotel. There is not much around the hotel as it is at the end of the road at the beach.
There is one other hotel on the road down to the beach that might be a better option. We could see a hotel closer in the town area but it would be worth trying to see if there was anything there.
Anamur (89k from Gazipasa) – Hotel Esya, Iskele Mah. Inonu Cad. No: 55, just across the street from the park that runs along the beachside. We had a very comfortable double room with ensuite, wi-fi, TV, breakfast included. Bicycles were kept locked in a stairwell outside. This is a lovely little family-run hotel, very clean and tidy and very friendly. The mother and father don’t speak much English (father speaks French) but the son and daughter do. Nice little seaside town with a castle, good place to relax.
Aydincik (55k from Anamur) – Aydincik Oğretmen Evi (Teacher’s house) for visiting teachers, on main road through town on the left hand side, up off the road. Basic rooms but clean and tidy with ensuite and wi-fi in room, breakfast included. Bikes were kept locked outside. There weren’t a lot of options in this town, though we did see at least one other hotel as we headed out the next day but it looked pretty rough. Not a lot of restaurant options around but there are some small stores for basic supplies.
Tasucu (73k from Aydincik) – Olba Otel Sahil Yolu Tasucu, down along the seaside in town. We had a double room with balcony looking out to the sea, ensuite, wi-fi in room, breakfast included. Bikes were kept locked down in the reception area. The room was clean and comfortable and the bed seemed to be brand new and was very comfortable. Breakfast was okay, served up on the terrace with views out to the water. This place was probably overpriced and if we were to do it over again we would probably stay at one of the hotels closer into the little town area. Lots of restaurants in the area.
Kizkalesi (37k from Tasucu) – Hotel Hantur, Ahmet Erol Cad.Akdeniz Mahallesi. No: 21 (www.hotelhantur.com). We had a large ensuite room with a balcony out to the sea. The room was clean and bed was comfortable. Free wi-fi on the terrace downstairs. Breakfast was good and included an omlette. Bikes were kept in the dining room downstairs. The older couple running the hotel were very friendly – the fellow spoke some English.
There are lots of hotels and pensions in Kizkalesi, especially for such a small town but we expect it is packed in the warmer months as the beach is really nice – wide and sandy. Also lots of restaurants and markets.
Tarsus (90k from Kizkalesi) – Selale Hotel, located out near the waterfalls (ask a local for directions). This seems to be a bit of a business hotel and it charges at that kind of rate. We had a very large room with ensuite and including breakfast. Wi-fi is free but they were having trouble with it the night we were there. There are a couple of restaurants right near the falls and a little village about a 10min walk where you will find the usual kebab shops and patisseries and small markets. Bikes were kept locked in a room on the ground floor. We couldn’t find any information about other hotels in the area.
Pozanti (81k from Tarsus) – Arikan Otel, on D750 on the northern end of town. We had a double with ensuite, wi-fi available in room. We chose not to get breakfast as we are trying to get an early start but breakfast was available for an additional 10TL. Basic hotel that has seen better days but there are very few options in Pozanti. There is another hotel/pension nearer to the city center but it looked very rough from the outside so we did not go in and check out the rooms. There is a restaurant about 50 meters down from the Arikan Otel (next to the Shell station) where most of the buses seem to stop. Food was decent and there is donor/kebab stand and a small patisserie there as well. There is a mini-mart at the Shell station where you can get water, juices and the usual snacks. Bikes were kept locked down at reception.
Nigde (92k from Pozanti) – Grand Nigde Hotel, Hukumet Meydani (http://www.grandhotelnigde.com). A bit of a splurge here – we had a double room with ensuite, wi-fi in room, breakfast included (though posted rate was a lot higher – they quickly came down significantly when we stood outside a bit and came down a bit further when we asked for more discount). Bikes were kept locked down in the hotel’s parking garage. This is a business hotel and probably one of the nicest in Nigde – room and bathroom were modern, clean and very comfortable. The buffet breakfast was the largest and best we had in Turkey – tons and tons of food, including hot eggs, borek, juice, cakes, etc. Almost made the price worth it, though we wished we could have taken the day off just to eat more of the food!
Lots of shops and restaurants right around the hotel, including a great nut shop just across the street.
Goreme (89k from Nigde) – SOS Cave Hotel and Pension (www.soscavehotel.com) (on Pigeon Valley side of town, first valley when you come down from Uchisar). We stayed 4 nights but had to change rooms after 2 nights. We stayed in a cave room the first couple of nights and then a standard room the other two nights. The rooms were lovely, clean with comfortable beds, and had TV with several English channels. The hotel had a great terrace overlooking the valley with fairy chimneys, and you could often watch the hot air balloons going by. The people who run the hotel are great – very helpful and friendly. Breakfast was plentiful and good, and usually included hot food like borek and/or fresh gozleme.
There are cheaper places to stay in Goreme (though it is relatively expensive) but we really enjoyed our stay at the SOS Pension. There are also lots and lots of restaurants and markets in town.
Aksaray (90k from Goreme) – Hotel Vadim, Taşpazar Mah. 818 Vadi Sok. No:13 Çarşı, Aksaray Merkez, Aksaray (www.otelvadim.com). We had a triple room, ensuite, wi-fi in room, TV with English channels, breakfast included. Bikes were kept locked in downstairs reception area. Room was a bit dated but was clean and comfortable.
Lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and decent grocery stores right near the hotel. There is even an actual shopping mall within walking distance. There are some other hotels in Askaray but many looked pretty rough or were up very steep stairs with no place to store the bikes.
Sereflickochisar (79k from Askaray) – Hotel Has, on the main road through town. We had a double room with ensuite and wi-fi, TV with some English channels and a refrigerator. Breakfast was not included. The hotel was okay and bed was comfortable but bathroom was a bit dirty. There was no aircon or fan, which was fine as it was not hot when we were there. We had the end room with a small balcony so could get some breeze s well for fresh air. Bikes were stored in a locked room downstairs.
There are at least 3 hotels in Sereflickochisar. There is one a bit further north on the main road called Hotel Yilding (or something like that) that looked a bit nicer, at least from the outside. We did not go look at a room there but probably should have.
Haymana (127k from Sereflickochisar) – This is a thermal resort town and has quite a few pensions and hotels. We stayed in the Saracoglu Termal Hotel at the end of the main road through town. It is a once-grand hotel that is now not so grand but was an experience with all of the other Turkish tourists. The room was okay, two single beds, with ensuite, and wi-fi in the lounge area near reception. It is a half-board approach so dinner and breakfast are included. Bikes were kept locked in a room off the reception area. There is a much nicer hotel right next to it if you feel like splurging, and several pensions right in the area. Lots of restaurants and cafes around as well.
Polatli (42k from Haymana) – We stayed at the Polatli Hotel Gordion, Ataturk Caddesi No. 43 – it is right across the street from the train station. A basic but clean room with very small bathroom and balcony, wi-fi in the room, bikes kept locked in reception. The hotel overlooks a square.
Sivrihisar (62k Polatli from Polatli) – We stayed at a hotel that was on the main road up through the town off the highway – the entrance is right near a restaurant on the right hand side and it is painted pink. The hotel was very very basic, with a shockingly dirty shared bathroom, and breakfast is not included. There is a hotel up at a tourist rest stop a couple Ks before the turn-off to the town (coming from Polatli) and I think there might be another hotel just at the south end of town before you head up the hill into town. There is also a Teacher’s House in the town, apparently right near the building marked as the Meterology office on the main road up into town. I’d suggest trying one of the other hotels or the Teacher’s House before heading further up into town.
Eskişehir (100k from Sivrihisar) – We stayed at the Ibis Hotel, Hosnudiye Cad. Silo Onu Sok No 5, an old converted silo right next to the train tracks. This was a bit spendy but not really more than the other hotels in this town, which seemed relatively expensive and we got breakfast thrown in (not normally included and it was a great buffet breakfast so we ate as much as possible). It was a great room with all the mod-cons – a very nice change from the previous night. The only downside was the bikes had to stay outside in the guarded parking lot not undercover. We convinced them on the second night to allow us to store in the luggage room.
We took a rest day in this town as there was a great vibe and lots of things to see and do and eat.
Inegol (105k from Eskişehir) -We stayed in the Kaplan Hotel, Cuma Mah. Nuri Doğrul Caddesi No.46/1 (İNG BANK üstü) İnegöl (http://www.kaplanhotel.com). It was just being freshly repainted and cleaned up and was nice and clean. The room was nice and clean, good bed, refrigerator, TV with a couple of English channels, breakfast included. Room rate was negotiable when we were there. Friendly young guy carried all of our bags up to the 3rd floor room. Bikes were stored in a room off the reception area on the 1st floor (up from ground floor). One of the women who worked at reception was fluent in English.
Lots of restaurants and cafes, and Inegol is known for its meatballs. We had a great meal at a restaurant that the young fellow from the hotel escorted us to.
Yalova (88k from Inegol) – We stayed at the Hotel Oncu, Suleymanbey Mah. Yali Cad No. 13 (www.hoteloncu.com). It is right on the main street through town and only about 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal. This hotel was relatively expensive for this town but the hotel appeared to be relatively new and it was heads above anything else in town. The room was great, comfortable bed, ensuite with great bathroom, refrigerator, free wi-fi in the room, breakfast included. Bikes were kept locked in a small area off the reception area. We did try to find some cheaper accommodation but had trouble getting a place that would allow us to keep the bikes inside.
Istanbul (ferry from Yalova) – Side Hotel and Pension, Utangac Sokak No 20, Sultahahmet (right next to Four Seasons Hotel) ( http://www.sidehotel.com/english/index.asp). Very clean room with ensuite, wi-fi (works in some rooms – it did in ours on 2nd and 3rd floor), simple breakfast included. Great location, walking distance to major sights and everything is kept clean and tidy. Rooftop terrace and enclosed breakfast room to hang out in when you are not seeing the sights. We paid 50€/night, which is not a bad price for this area during this time of year (May). Bikes were kept locked downstairs in basement area. Best rooms are those with exterior windows – our 2nd room (Rm 15) had no window outside and was on the 1st floor and seemed much noisier than our first room on the 2nd floor (Rm 25).
Silivri (74k from Istanbul) – Park Hotel, Sanatkarlar Cd. No.2 34570 Silivri (www.siliviriparkhotel.com). This hotel looks a bit old from the outside but is a decent hotel inside. The rooms are very large, with comfortable beds, clean bathrooms, wi-fi in the room, mini-refrigerator and TV with some English channels, large buffet breakfast included. It is probably not the cheapest hotel in Silivri (I think there may be one or two other hotels there) but they did bargain a bit on the price and we were too shell-shocked by the ride out of Istanbul to deal with shopping around. Bikes were kept locked in a storage room in the basement. There were some good restaurants right near the hotel.
Luleburgaz (90k from Silivri) – Hotel Suruc, İstanbul Caddesi No: 6 Lüleburgaz (http://www.surucuotel.com). Basic hotel with very small but clean room and bathroom, wi-fi in room, breakfast included, bikes kept locked up in hallway near room. There were several other hotels right near this one, all about the same price (but lesser quality) except for one across the street that was asking quite a bit more for a nicer room but not great bike storage (in a store away from the hotel). Lots of good eateries nearby.
Edirne (78k from Luleburgaz) – Tuna Hotel, Maarif caddesi 17,Edirne. Good hotel with clean room and bathroom, comfortable bed, wi-fi in room, TV with English channels, breakfast included. Bikes were kept locked in an internal courtyard area. Price was pretty consistent with the other hotels in the area (other than the Efe Hotel up the street, which was a lot more expensive). Easy walking distance to lots of restaurants and cafes and the mosques.
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