Ephesus Boutique Hotel

The chef is a star, bless her hands, eline saglik! We ate some of the best food of our lives, and nearly everything was grown and harvested on their own garden or farm. Owners and staff made us feel like family. The room was lovely and comfortable, and the whole place was a peaceful little escape with understated luxury. If you can, treat yourself to a jacuzzi suite. 150% recommend.

After staying at many hotels up the coast, this one was my favourite. It’s in the hills above Kusadasi, in a small village just 15 minutes from town, far from the tourist crowds. Vines, orchards, and forested hills surround the village. Mustafa grows all the food locally, then he and his wife, with a bit of help, cook a feast. They make their own bread, jams, and fruit preserves and pastes. The rooms have a brilliant old-world feel, and there’s a pool. If you need a taxi, ask for Talip. He’s patient and friendly, and knows loads about the area.

The food was so wonderful that we ate there every night. The owners were also incredibly helpful, even giving us lifts now and then because we hadn’t hired a car, though local buses are available. We even had the delicious pool with a view to ourselves, often with the very friendly hotel cat for company. This family-run place is in a tranquil village well away from Kusadasi and Ephesus’ tourist crowds. Brown or orange sheets may not be what you picture when you hear “boutique,” but look past them and you’ll see how special this hotel is.

The staff were kind and nice, I’ll give them that. But the price was exorbitant, and comparing the cost with the quality, I definitely wouldn’t recommend it. My girlfriend made the booking without telling me beforehand.