Osmanli Marco Pasha Hotel

It’s easy to reach Tarsus’s historic sights on foot from the Osmanli Marco Pasha Hotel, and there’s a car park in the courtyard. I found it a lovely base for exploring. The hotel is a restored Ottoman mansion in the heart of the city, with a courtyard garden that feels like a calm retreat from the busy streets. Pigeons occasionally coo nearby. The gracious, quiet host has preserved the building’s historic character while adding shabby chic decor. Mature orange, lime, and olive trees, plus whimsical touches, give the garden a peaceful feel. There are metal chairs and glass-topped artificial stone tables where guests can sit in the evening and enjoy the lovingly prepared Turkish breakfast. The bar has limited stock, though the attentive host is happy to replenish it when needed. There’s no restaurant in the hotel, but local places serving kebabs, hummus, and soup are a short walk away. The rooms are exceptionally clean. The beds may feel a little firm, but I found them comfortable. The balcony could use a better clean because of the pigeons, though that doesn’t take away from the hotel’s charm. Nearby sights include Cleopatra’s Gate, said to be where Cleopatra met Mark Antony; St. Paul’s Well, said to be near St. Paul the Apostle’s birthplace; and St. Paul’s Church, now a museum. You can also walk to the well-preserved Roman Road, Tarsus Waterfall, and the 16th-century Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), which blends Seljuk and Ottoman architectural styles.

I stayed four nights, but left because I was afraid for my safety. In the evening, the hotel owner came over while drunk, repeatedly made passes at me, and suggested he would come to my room at night. I asked for the money for that night back, but wasn’t given any reimbursement. As someone just looking for a place to stay, I did not deserve that kind of sexual harassment. I wouldn’t stay here or encourage anyone to support this business, especially if traveling alone as a woman.

The sheets weren’t fresh and the shower didn’t work properly, though the place itself is very beautiful. Breakfast under the tangerine tree was lovely. I’d recommend it for a stay of a couple of days.

A nice boutique hotel in an old house, with a traditional Turkish Armenian style.