Arts Hotel Yalikavak Bodrum

There are lots of better options. The good thing is the hotel's location close to the marina, with its shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Getting there from the hotel was the problem: we were repeatedly told the yellow taxis were too busy to collect us, though getting one back was easy. A staff member, Caner, arranged rides with people he knew, but they were very expensive. A licensed taxi back to the marina is about £3, while for the ride there we had no choice but to take one of his friends and pay him £10. His friend said never to use yellow taxis because they were so expensive, but they genuinely cost a third as much. It's a bit silly to profit from customers who pay thousands of pounds for their holiday.

I wouldn’t stay here again or recommend it. The hotel didn’t feel like a five-star experience, and the taxis arranged were unlicensed and twice the price. Staff didn’t greet us or explain where anything was. I was especially uncomfortable when male staff kept staring at my young daughters. When I looked at Caner while he was doing it, he didn’t look away. It felt completely inappropriate and frightening.

The location and service were great, and the staff made the stay. Caner in particular was one of the best employees, helping us with directions, transport, restaurant suggestions, and things to do nearby. I’d happily come back.

I ended up cancelling the stay and asking for a refund well ahead of time because the hotel’s handling of my booking left me uncomfortable. I’d booked three weeks earlier, but communication was poor from the start: replies took too long, answers weren’t helpful, and the whole exchange felt unprofessional. They still refused to refund me. I’m frustrated and feel ignored, and would tell future guests to be careful, especially if transparency and customer service matter to them.