Hotel Derici

LOCATION: Excellent. Transfer time by coach from Izmir Airport was 1 hour. Hotel is situated across the road from the promenade/harbour area of Kusadasi. Close to bars, restaurants, shops, supermarkets and local transport. RECEPTION: Check in and out very efficient. We had a couple of queries/problems during our stay and the reception staff were able to deal with them very quickly. There are 2 computers in reception, unfortunately during our stay they were broken so we had to use a local internet cafe which cost 80p. ROOM: We were in room 302 at the back of the hotel with sun in the morning. We found this room suited us as it was quieter than the rooms at the front and side of hotel. The Derici is an efficiently run hotel, clean and traditional in style (don’t like to use old fashioned or dated) and would class as a good 3* rather than 4* hotel. Our room was a good size. No kettle or iron – we took our own. The beds were hard and we ended up putting the top heavy weight eiderdowns over the mattress which helped and requested a second pillow. No individual shampoo, etc, provided in bathroom but two dispensers, one in shower and one by sink. Bathroom was compact with wall mounted hairdryer. Towels were changed every day. Complimentary slippers were provided which was a nice touch. The mini bar was fully stocked at reasonable prices. Air con was good. Our room had plenty of storage space, wardrobes, side cabinets, etc. however as with all hotels we stay in there are never enough coat hangers - we always take our own. TV only had couple of English speaking news channels. Located in the wardrobe was an easy to use good size safe costing 140 Turkish Lire for 14 night’s payable on check in. Balcony had the usual furniture and a clothes airer no pegs so take your own. WIFI: We did not use WIFI so cannot comment on this subject. RESTAURANT: We travelled out of summer season so all meals were inside in the breakfast room. During the summer months evening meals are on the terrace where smoking is allowed. We found that there were a lot of smokers staying at the Derici during our stay, which as non smokers we found annoying especially when sitting around the pool or enjoying a drink at the front of hotel. We stayed half board. Breakfast included a good selection of foods, evening meals was a bit more limited and traditional in nature, however we always found something that took our fancy and did not go hungry. You are issued with a book of dated tickets at check in. A ticket needs to be given to the restaurant staff when arriving for your evening meal each night. Drinks were extra. POOLS: One indoor with spa and roof top pool with a nice area to sit with brilliant views of the promenade/harbour area. Water temperature in the roof top pool was cold during our stay. Had no problems getting beds, umbrellas and padded covers for sun beds. Free pool towels on request from pool bar man. The pool bar served food and drinks at reasonable prices. ANIMATION TEAM: None. EVENING ENTERTAINMENT: None. TRIPS/EXCURSIONS: We were able to get out and about very easily during our stay using the Dolmus buses and organised trips. We went to Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary, Selcuk, Pamukkale, Pigeon Island, Ladies Beach, Pygela Beach, Priene, Miletos, Didyma and were able to fully explore Kusadasi. EXCHANGE BUREAU: We exchanged sterling into local currency at the shop next to Hotel (turn left on exiting hotel walk for 1 minute and it is on your left just after the taxi office) it gave a much better rate than in UK. Supermarkets and local buses required payment in Turkish Lire, anything else could be paid for in Pounds, Euros or Turkish Lire. CONCLUSION: The Derici is very popular hotel with friendly and helpful staff. This was our first trip to Turkey and are looking forward to returning in the future.

The hotel itself was very good, the staff were so friendly, polite and catered to our every need, especially Vedat who went above and beyond for me and my partner! My experience here was 10/10 but The spa and massage parlour downstairs wasn’t a great experience, you couldn’t relax during your treatment because the staff would keep trying to offer you more treatments or try get you to pay more for treatments which I thought was so unprofessional! Other than that it was an overall great holiday and the location of the hotel is great! Would definitely recommend!