Elifin Gizli Bahçesi

Elif Hanım welcomed us with such cheer and hospitality that we immediately felt at home. The mountain house was tidy, spotless, and carefully prepared, with a spacious feel as soon as we walked in. We spent two nights at Şifa Mountain House and enjoyed every moment. A wooden home in the middle of nature, chestnuts roasting by the fireplace, and salep made for an unforgettable stay. Birds sang all day, and after dark we could hear wild animals in the distance in the peaceful quiet. It gave us a real sense of being close to nature. Thank you for everything. It feels like we have a home in Sapanca now, and I think this is a special place to visit in any of the four seasons.

The host deserves a special mention. She's so kind, always smiling and attentive, and she prepares the meals herself. Everything we ate was delicious, whether meat or vegetarian, with generous portions and the feel of lovingly made home cooking. The mountain views are breathtaking, and the wooden bungalows have such charm. They're comfortable and authentic, and being surrounded by nature feels like a real change of scenery. A true little paradise. I highly recommend it!

At Alkan Mountain House, everything felt sincere and natural. Elif Hanım and her husband brought such warmth to the holiday that now we're looking at photos to console ourselves. We hope we can return again and again ✨ We spent two lovely days away from the city, reading, relaxing in the sheltered garden, lighting the wood stove, and getting cozy. We also cooked potatoes and onions in the garden and tried things that were new to us. The house was warmly furnished and spotless, with clean slippers inside and by the door for walking in the garden. There was a view from the jacuzzi, plus reliable WiFi and air conditioning. Getting to this beautiful spot means going down quite a few stairs, which can make luggage and trips to and from the car difficult. There were a few power cuts, but the house had a generator, so they weren't a problem for us.

The only hard part is that we leave tomorrow. We're already looking forward to coming back, and have decided to visit Sapanca every year just for this place. You need to get away from the city's noise and listen to the quiet and peace here. Ms. Elif had every detail ready with such care, including lighting the stove just before we arrived, so the house was warm when we got in. The Wi-Fi was fast and worked perfectly. The house and kitchenware were spotless, there was plenty of wood in the garden to burn inside, and the upstairs heater worked well. Hot water from every sink was such a comfort after our previous stay, where our hands had been freezing. We'd choose this beauty over a five-star hotel, and Ms. Elif's kindness and cheerful manner made it even better.