Yonca Lodge

The beach was pleasant for swimming in late fall, though the water wasn’t very clear. Beyond that, I really can’t recommend this place. The rooms are comfortable and rustic, with a “Bohemian” look, but they aren’t fancy, and the price is the same as much nicer hotels in places like Kas and Fethiye. The on-site restaurant service was the biggest issue. Breakfast was self-serve, so that was fine, but on our first night I had to find someone to order a beer and a glass of wine, then waited half an hour even though the bar was only 10 feet away. On Saturday, dinner with our five friends was a mess. We ordered a salad, appetizers, three fish dinners, pasta, and steak. Half an hour later, only two of four appetizers had arrived, along with steak, pasta, and one fish dinner. An hour in, the waiter asked us to repeat the order. Another 45 minutes passed before the last two fish dinners came, with the missing appetizer and salad, which we’d wanted much earlier. It was so bad it was almost funny. In over 30 years of traveling to Turkey, I’ve never had service this poor. The prices weren’t cheap, either. There was also very loud music until well past midnight on the first two nights.

I’d only visited before the season, not stayed as a guest, but this small local hotel deserves a mention. It’s right on the beach, with a charming laid-back feel, a few ducks, and a friendly cat. You can’t get much closer to the sea. The lovely grounds are carefully maintained, with great landscaping, plants, and different fruit trees. It seems like a nice getaway for couples. Children under 12 aren’t allowed, so you can enjoy the pool without kids shrieking. There’s also a beach bar shack. You can get there by local minibus, and it’s a 45-minute drive from Dalaman airport. I’d definitely support this small local business over the megalodon hotels built just a few minutes away.

It was a mixed stay. The beachfront setting is nice, and most of the staff were friendly and helpful. I also thought the beach was fine, and the water was very warm in mid-August, despite what some reviews say about stones and waves. There isn’t much nearby, so most people will probably need a car, though the dolmus to Fethiye is cheap and runs regularly in summer. Our room had a good layout and was spacious, but the smell was horrendous, like rotting fruit, and there were little flies everywhere. I killed about 200, but seemed to leave with even more. The smell was the main problem. The AC didn’t work properly, the showerhead was poor, and the room was a bit dirty and needed attention, with dusty floors, peeling paint, and loose fixtures and fittings. Breakfast and the restaurant were just OK, definitely not great. It wasn’t all bad, but I wouldn’t stay again.

The young boys working around the restaurant and pool were a real bright spot. They were attentive, hardworking, and made us feel welcome. The reception team was warm too, and the seating area by the pool was a nice place to sit and take in the surroundings. Yonca Lodge was a peaceful, secluded place to unwind in nature when we stayed in July 2024. The garden was beautiful, full of lush trees and greenery, with a small quiet lake, and animals often wandered around. We had a lovely sea view, though the water wasn’t as clear as we’d hoped. Our duplex room was comfortable and had a balcony with a great view. The lodge feels in harmony with nature, but a security box, an iron, and more toiletries would have made the stay easier. The food was a little disappointing. Breakfast was basic and limited, though the herbal teas were fantastic and had distinctive local flavors. Yonca Lodge is a good choice for a calm, isolated, nature-focused retreat, and a few improvements to the amenities and food options could make it better.