Özükara Apartments I & II

The big terrace was a letdown because there were no chairs, table, or place to dry laundry. Inside, though, the apartment was spacious, clean, and basically equipped, with a roomy bathroom, and housekeeping was good. The pool water was really clear, and there was a bar. A supermarket, some excellent restaurants, and a bakery are right by the complex, while the bus stop and taxi stand are just out front. The staff were fine. Air conditioning costs extra, €40 for one unit or €65 for two for seven nights. It gets really hot inside, so I recommend two units, especially since the power shuts off automatically when you leave. The main issue is the nightclubs nearby. The music is terribly loud, so if you want to sleep before 1 a.m., bring earplugs.

I stayed one night, and that was quite enough. I should have been there for two weeks, but after this experience I wouldn't book again or recommend it. The room door kept jamming, so I had to kick it open every time. The shower enclosure wouldn't close, and the bathroom fixtures were loose and hanging off the wall. There was even a wall switch fitted so badly that the gap around it was wide open. Reception couldn't or wouldn't fix any of it. The manager was off that day, and they refused to move me unless I paid extra, even though all the faults were theirs. I don't understand how this place got three stars. I'd give it one. If you want a pleasant, relaxing stay, this isn't the hotel for you. It felt like Faulty Towers.

The apartments are roomy and comfortable, and the pool is small but nice, with normal music. The staff are very cool and polite. Rooms are cleaned daily, and sheets and towels changed two or three times a week. The safe and air conditioning cost extra, but that's fine if you know when booking. It's centrally located in Gumbet, close to discos and bars. The discos aren't for me, with their gold and Turkish pop music, but they close at 1 a.m., so sleeping was easy. The beach is about five minutes down the street, and a dolmush to Bodrum center stops in front. There are really good Turkish restaurants nearby, a great bakery and shops, and the taxi stand is about 10 meters away. Wi-Fi works okay, not perfectly. With a few small changes, this aparthotel could be a top-quality three-star place. They should add shade over part of the pool.

Apart from the pool bar tab, the hotel was fab. We were drinking one beer between two of us, but they put 10 beers on our friend's bill even though he hadn't had a single Efes, then charged us for another nine. If the three of us had drunk 19 beers, we'd barely have been able to walk. We got seriously ripped off and weren't happy. If you run a tab at the pool, keep track of what you're ordering.