Hotel Efe

The bedrooms look a bit worn, though the beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are clean. The hotel is centrally located and clean, the staff are friendly and helpful, and they serve a good Turkish breakfast.

I booked a private room for 500 lira, which seemed to be the usual rate at the hotels along the block. There’s Wi-Fi on each floor, and the front desk can arrange reasonably priced tours. The minibus to Sumela monastery is a five-minute walk away. It’s a great option for backpackers, two blocks from the center square and close to the main bus stations. Breakfast is traditional Turkish fare: eggs, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, bread, honey or jam, and tea.

The owner was really helpful with arranging bus rides to the tourist attractions, and the location is perfect. The rooms are small and the building has seen better days, but it’s clean. I liked it more than I expected after my first impression.

The rooms are modest, the internet is bearable, and there’s no elevator. It looks like a cheap one-star place, but it’s clean, the staff are very pleasant, and a modest breakfast is included. Could work for a one-night stay.