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İSTANKÖY HOTEL, BODRUM
On Bodrum's busy Atatürk Bülvarı the İstanköy Hotel aims unashamedly at the package holiday market, especially the British part of it. In high season this means that you are unlikely to find a room available. At other times of year, though, you may be lucky in which case you may decide that this is quite a find despite the fact that it is nowhere near the sea.
A small reception area with a computer for guests' use opens straight onto a large pool with a big poolside bar. Rooms line up on the other three sides; those facing the pool have the views but also the noise from the bar which goes on into the wee small hours; if you want to get a good night's sleep try and get one of those at the back - I slept like a baby in mine.
Bedrooms come with big double beds, big TVs with English programming, glass-fronted minibars all the better to inspire you to buy something, good air-con and plenty of storage space. The decor in green and brown is attractive, modern and not overdone. Bathrooms too are smart and modern with good showers and hair driers.
Breakfast can be eaten in the dining room or at tables beside the pool. The choice is relatively restrained but perfectly adequate.
I found the service here to be faultless. The only snag was that I couldn't get an Internet connection in my room or in the lobby.
The hotel name has nothing to do with İstanbul. İstanköy is Turkish for Kos, the Greek island just off the Bodrum Peninsula.
Thumbs up: Quality of furnishings, pool, value for money
Thumbs down: Poolside rooms will be very noisy. Wifi access poor to hopeless (but I would expect them to rectify this)
Tel: 0252-316 4187, www.hotelistankoy.com.tr