Huzur Motel

We loved starting the day with a short walk across to the beach for a swim, then driving about 17 minutes to Amasra in the evening for the sights and seafood. We stayed three nights, four days, and the owner's warmth, the young children's respectful and attentive manner, the good breakfast, and that delicious evening tea from the old teapot all stayed with us on the way home. We knew it was a motel, so the older beds didn't bother us much. Still, there was no fridge in the room, and Wi-Fi only worked in the entrance hall. We hope to cross paths again. See you!

We left after just four hours. The balcony view was the one good part, but everything else was awful. I had to try cleaning the room myself when we arrived. The sinks seemed to have been bleached for the first time, and there was about an inch of dust on the parquet floor. The beach isn't great for swimming either, with strong wind and rip currents. A good manager could have made much more of that beautiful view and created a different atmosphere. Nearby businesses also seem very good at overcharging customers. Such a disappointment.

We stayed for three nights and four days, knowing we had booked a motel. If you're expecting the kind of hotel comfort you get in the Mediterranean or Aegean, this isn't that. A motel is a small place for people traveling by car, with safe parking and the basics for a stay, and we were fine with the limitations. Our room was small, with an old bed, no refrigerator, and an old 37-inch tube TV that I never turned on. The bathroom and toilet were cramped but hygienic. There was no air conditioning, but in early August we didn't need it, and at one point we even needed a blanket at night. The family running the place were friendly. Their children, Samet and Reyhan, were especially polite, respectful, and helpful. Breakfast on the beach in front of the hotel, and unlimited tea while relaxing there in the evening, were priceless. The beach is right beside the motel, just 50 meters away. We took our towels over each morning for a swim and even washed our hands and faces in the water. The Black Sea can be rough, and lifeguards warn people and stop swimming when rip currents make it unsafe, but the sea and scenery are magnificent. Çakraz is tiny. There's a run-down A101 next to the hotel where we got nearly everything we needed. Prices for food and drink were generally reasonable, and shopkeepers didn't seem greedy. For example, simit was 20 TL, minced meat pide was 200 TL, fried fish for three was 600 TL, a fish sandwich was 100 TL, and soup was 80 TL. Finding meals was harder. Most restaurants focus on fish, with only a few serving soup, meatballs, and pide, and we couldn't find stews or other main dishes. I'd suggest people in Çakraz consider opening a place for those. We ate in Amasra the first night. It's beautiful, but parking issues led us to stay in Çakraz for dinner after that. Street parking in Çakraz is prohibited by a provincial administration decision, though there isn't really a parking problem: hotel guests can park behind the hotel for 50 TL, while the usual daily price is 100 TL. The main beach issue is the sun lounger rental. Bartın Provincial Administration auctioned off the beach and gave the contract to someone from outside the village. Two loungers and an umbrella cost 600 TL, which both local residents and businesses complain about. In four days, I didn't see anyone rent them. The beach hotels, ours included, provide umbrellas and chairs for guests free of charge. If you want a relaxed stay with your spouse or partner and can live with small issues, this is a lovely spot. We enjoyed it and will definitely return.

The sea view from the room and the hotel's location were great. The rest of our stay was miserable. The bed was so worn that its springs sagged, and although we had our young child with us, we were given a double room only 1.40 meters wide. It was the most uncomfortable hotel night I've had. The building looks at least 30 or 40 years old. Age aside, management really needs to review the rooms and facilities. Please start with some updates, even changing the teapot. Don't businesses ever make improvements?