Kamer Exclusive Hotel & Suites

First of all, don't let the fact that Kamer Suites and Hotel is a seven minute dolmus ride away from the main towns put you off. Nestled on a peaceful peninsular to the north of Cesme, this hotel's nicely appointed rooms are an oasis of calm that you'll look forward to returning to after the hustle and bustle of Cesme and Alacati. Its pool is arguably one of the best I've had the pleasure to use on my hols across Turkey, with a lovely bar and cafe restaurant that serves excellent value for money food and the obligatory Efes. (don't miss the iced cappuccino either). The small town of Dalyan nearby had a wealth of top notch restaurants along its harbour edge, but we sought out the more authentic ones and were delighted - the best calamari I've ever had from the fish restaurant half way down the main road into town is a must. The Suites are very well run by the lovely, friendly owner Alp, who couldn't do enough to make our stay extra special… even making room for our daughter who turned up unexpectedly half way through the holiday. The location is perfect - a bus ride to the fascinating 'city' of Cesme with its castle, marina and lively shopping streets, is around £1.50 return. Further afield and about a £4 return is Alacati, an absolutely beautiful yellow bricked town with top quality shops that's restful and relaxing by day and mayhem by night. My wife and daughter loved it there - especially a trip to the Noe Happiness clothes shop – but were relieved to get back to the calm and tranquility of Kamer later that night. Beaches near the hotel are local and free, but a trip to the White Beach Aya Yorgi is a must - £25 odd to get in but that includes a hefty amount for your lunch and a drink or two. Great value and very cool. The rooms at Kamer are functional, clean and tidy and importantly quite spacious - with Alp always on hand to help with advice or just for a quick chat. By all means look around at hotels in Cesme and Alacati, but you'll find they are either smack bang in the middle of the chaos or large, impersonal places - and that's not what we wanted from a holiday. If you need somewhere to chill with a beer and a comfortable pool-side bed with a book, then this is the place for you. But don't forget the calamari (they don't advertise it on their boards but just ask) – you won't regret it. Thank you Alp for your kindness.