Cunda Despot Evi

We went to 1862 restaurant for lunch and shared a pizza (1862) and a salad. The view was amazing. The price felt a little high for what you get, but we didn’t have any other complaints.

The staff were warm and very nice, and breakfast was good, with a nice bakery selection and great cheeses. But the hotel has too many problems for us to come back. Since it’s an old house, the walls are incredibly thin and you hear people in every room as if they’re beside you. During the day that’s fine, but one night the child in the next room played and screamed until 2am, so I was awake the whole time. The generator also switches on and off without warning, making the lights and TV come on in the middle of the night. It’s alarming and wrecks your sleep. I asked for a slightly undercooked egg with a runny yolk, but they kept bringing it hardboiled, even after I sent it back twice. I speak Turkish, so it wasn’t a communication problem.

The bed was surprisingly comfortable, which alone earns five stars from me. Finding a soft, comfortable mattress in a Turkish hotel is rare. The renovation of this old, run-down stone building is impeccable, with beautiful materials and colors and excellent attention to little things like the door hinges, knobs, lights, sinks, and headboard. It’s right on the main street in central Cunda, across the water, near shops and plenty of restaurants. There’s also a restaurant, a nice pool, and a private boat for trips to other islands and beaches. It’s ideal for couples, though not a place for children. I was impressed to see such a successful Turkish business run without a foreign company. Anyone who appreciates beauty, taste, and detail should stay here.

We rented one of the daily boats and the service was great. The boat was super clean, and we loved it. The hotel also has a separate beach. It’s in an old historic building right at the entrance to Ayvalik restaurants road, in a great central location. I totally recommend it.