Ersoy Efe Pansiyon

The room was right by the entrance, where the guard played his TV loudly all night. Cigarette smoke filled the room and soaked into all our belongings. One of us is allergic, and it was unbearable. There wasn't a single spot to put our things, not that we'd have wanted to leave them in that filthy room. They didn't provide drinking water either. The plumbing was broken, so washing our hands sent water straight onto the floor. The room we paid for through Booking.com didn't exist. We were given a terrible replacement, while the first photo showed what we were meant to get. It was too late to cancel or find another place, so we were stuck. The room was disgusting, with no hygiene at all. The photos speak for themselves. I could list more, but I'll be filing a complaint with Booking.com about how they allow scams like this. If you're considering staying here, read this and keep as far away as you can.

The receptionists were friendly, though it would help if they understood English. Free WiFi is available if you ask them for the password, and in my case the air conditioning did work. For a budget stay, it was decent enough, but this isn't a place for a luxury vacation. There are several easy fixes that could make things better without much extra cost. They should provide toilet paper in both shared and private bathrooms, and improve the bathroom drainage so water doesn't pool. Wall mounted soap and shampoo dispensers would help too, since the shampoo portions they give are tiny. In the summer heat, they should make sure the AC is running before check-in. I only got mine working the day after I arrived, after taking off the front panel and pressing the button underneath. If you're willing to cut back for a low cost stay, it's alright.

For a low budget trip, it was very good value, costing less than half what most nearby hotels charge. The rooms and facilities are basic, and though clean, they look shabby. The rooms are old and have defects, with no towels or chairs. Staff were helpful but didn't speak English. The location is handy, near the main shopping street with lots of restaurants. The restaurants there are good quality and much cheaper than in the old city center. Walk straight along the road and you'll reach the old city center in about 20 minutes.

I had booked a room a month ahead, and the hotel confirmed the night before that everything was fine. But when I arrived, a man said my room wasn't available anymore. The only alternative, without a shower or air conditioning, cost twice as much. The listing photos didn't match what was actually there, and both communication and atmosphere were awful. Find another place if you want to avoid a stressful, miserable night.