Dalyan Tezcan Hotel

Definitely spend a bit more for a room with a view. We didn’t, and wished we had. The hotel sits right by the river in town, in a fantastic location, and it was clean throughout. Breakfast was repetitive but adequate, and most of the staff were lovely. The pool area was nice, and even in peak summer there were sunbeds available.

Even though we were staying only one night, we got such a kind welcome. The staff were friendly and very helpful, including when they helped us move to a lower floor because of our mobility needs and the lack of a lift. The hotel is older, but our room was clean and comfortable, and the river and rock tomb views were amazing. There’s a large pool and a lovely spot to relax while watching the boats pass. It’s right in the town centre, and many guests return. We’re hoping to stay longer next year.

We stayed in Dalaman five years ago and thought we’d try somewhere more central, but we really didn’t enjoy this stay. The view over the boats was nice, and the location has potential, but the hotel felt lifeless. Staff seemed miserable, rarely smiled or welcomed us, and often walked around the garden with their heads down and arms crossed. Some smoked just below our balcony. Communication was difficult because many couldn’t speak English. When I asked why the hot food was cold, they couldn’t understand without using a translation app and then just shrugged. The breakfast was the dullest hotel spread we’ve had: a drab canteen room, orange juice and omelettes charged extra, chips and other hot food always cold. One day I asked for a soft-boiled egg and they took it away to heat it up, so I had to stop them. Bread was chopped into small pieces and kept in a supermarket carrier bag, which felt careless. Other guests said similar things. The rooms were basic, dark and depressing, and we didn’t like returning to ours each day. The dressing-table lights didn’t work, so getting ready in the evening was difficult. The nearby mosque meant a 5 am wake-up, which we understood. On a walk one day, we found a lovely little hotel while stopping for lunch. Within two hours, the staff had introduced themselves, learned our names, and we’d met many of the guests, some of whom had been coming for over 20 years. The riverside setting was beautiful and calm. We asked if we could move there, and did, then had a wonderful holiday with staff who were friendly, helpful and clearly wanted to be there. So, the view here was good, but the atmosphere and breakfast weren’t. It might once have been a great hotel, but I wouldn’t return. If you want peace and quiet, this may not be for you. There are plenty of other nice hotels around, and this place could still be made to feel cheerful and welcoming.

The only good part was the view from our room. We’d booked because the hotel looked lovely, right by the boats and close to town. We’ve been to Dalyan many times without a problem, but this was the worst place I’ve ever seen. Don’t book it, save your money and choose one of the many other nice hotels. The room and decor were filthy and in terrible shape. There was mould all around the bathroom, shower and toilet; the seat was stained and peeling. The washbasin area was falling apart, with blistered, peeling surfaces and broken bits, and hair was left in the shower drain. It made me feel physically sick. The bedroom was just as disappointing, with stains and burn marks on the furniture, paint thrown messily over the walls, torn curtains and lights that didn’t work. The patio door was broken and wouldn’t lock. The patio floor was covered in paint marks and footprints, and the railing moved, so it felt unsafe. I would have left right away, but it was 3 am and our mum is 80 and needed rest. I looked for the receptionist, but he’d disappeared. I slept on top of the bed and got up early to find him again. This time he showed up. I tried to explain what was wrong, but we couldn’t communicate well, even using a translation app. He just gestured with his arms. We woke Mum and left for another hotel that luckily had space. Outside, the pool water looked cloudy and dirty, the chairs were broken, and bricks had been put under the tables. In the dark corridor, Mum couldn’t see because the lights didn’t work, so I used my phone torch to guide her. That’s when we saw human feces on the floor, dragged along the corridor with some liquid and dry drag marks all around. We handed back the keys immediately and walked out. I wouldn’t set foot here again.