Ilgin Hotel Ortakent

We had a pleasant 24-hour stay at this sweet, basic hotel, which doesn't pretend to be anything more. We booked full board, but that was misleading since we were charged separately for every drink and for extras the children ordered.

The rooms are old and neglected, with no refrigerators, and the dusty, dirty garden by the pool isn't pleasant to sit in. In the evenings, mosquitoes swarm you if you try to use the garden or balcony. This feels more like a guesthouse with a pool than a three-star hotel. Breakfast and a pool are available, but I wouldn't call it somewhere to stay, and dinner comes with a hefty price tag. They take dinner reservations from outside customers every evening. Those customers get priority at the best beach spots during the day, so the beach area meant for hotel guests gets crowded. They're constantly milling around, and the young workers there can be a pain. It seems that if you have money, you're treated properly, but if you don't, they won't even look at you.

We had a lovely holiday, and the evening meal on the beach made us forget the drawbacks. The owner and staff provided satisfactory service. The narrow frontage of the property makes the beach feel crowded, and it looks like the rooms and poolside haven't had investment for a long time.

A calm, family-friendly place where you can get a feel for Bodrum's authentic atmosphere. It's an affordable way to get away from the usual all-inclusive hotel experience. Many thanks to Mr. Cafer and Mr. Ufuk.