Esperanza Boutique Hotel of Lykia

We’d saved this place years ago and were excited to finally stay, partly because of the great reviews. But from our first conversation with the staff, we felt uncomfortable. The atmosphere was unfriendly. Apart from the person at reception, who may have been the owner, nobody spoke to us, and the staff seemed as if they were being made to work there. On checkout day, we arrived a little early for breakfast to explain that we had to leave within minutes for a boat tour in less than an hour. Nobody was at reception, and we had to ask several times before someone came so we could check out. Breakfast was supposed to start at 8:30, but when we arrived then, they seemed surprised we were early. It was served much later, and some of the food was from the day before and inedible. I guess there wasn’t enough time to make everything fresh. When the food was fresh, it was great. We travel a lot and have visited Turkey many times, partly because of Turkish people’s hospitality. We always read reviews, so it was shocking to have an experience here so different from what most people described. This is just what happened to us, and I hope the owner takes the feedback on board rather than replying rudely, as I’ve seen in responses to other reviews.

Dinner is well worth ordering if you want properly tasty Turkish food. We also found having our own car useful, since there are some beautiful spots near the village. The hotel itself is stylish and peaceful, with spotless rooms, gleaming plumbing, and everything in working order. The owner is very welcoming, stays on site, and keeps an eye on things. You can tell the place was put together with guests in mind.

There isn't much to do nearby, so this is a great hotel if you want to switch off and relax on site. We loved our stay: the staff were fantastic, the rooms were clean, and the food was good. The photos really don't capture how nice it is. By far the best hotel we've stayed at in Turkey, and it meets Western standards. We'd absolutely recommend it.

Renting a car makes sense if you want to see the nearby sights. We ordered dinner too, and it turned out to be a great idea, really delicious. The hotel has a lovely atmosphere, with a beautiful view, clean rooms, a cozy outdoor area, and the scent of pine trees around. The food is tasty and the price is reasonable. If you're after a quiet place with a view, this fits perfectly. Every part of it feels cared for.