Ephesus Hostel

I spent all three days at the very nice pool in a nearby hotel, which has the same owner. Yousef was friendly and suggested I use it. The location is handy, right beside the Ephesus museum and a short drive from the ancient site, with plenty of markets, restaurants, and McDonald's nearby. I stayed three nights. The beds were big and comfortable, smelled nice, and the AC kept me cool while I slept. The hostel seemed quite new and was clean, though the underside of the toilet seat needs cleaning. The pans in the kitchen are so damaged they don't heat food properly, so they need replacing. I got the price down to 1,000 liras per night, paid by card. The owner wanted cash, but I refused because Turkish banks use a very unfair exchange rate when withdrawing money, even when they claim there are no fees. They still rip you off if you decline their conversion. Laundry cost 400 liras to wash and dry.

There isn't much shared space, but the rooms and washrooms were spotless. I loved the rooftop and did yoga there each morning. Everything looks brand new, and the staff are friendly, helpful, and happy to suggest what to see and how to get around. It's conveniently close to the bus station, castle, museum, and laid-back restaurants and cafes. Across the main road, near the only place in town to exchange money, Western Union, there's an alley with great local food. I went back several times in my three days.

A very clean, well-kept place with a pleasant atmosphere. The staff were so friendly and gave me useful pointers for getting around the city. This newly opened hostel made for a great stay, and I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for somewhere memorable.

Good room, great location, and really good service. I'd stay here again and recommend it, but the kitchen needs work. The hob could barely boil water, the oven didn't work, and there weren't many utensils. If they provide a kitchen, they should make sure it works properly.