If you’re looking to travel to Ephesus, your best bet is to either day trip from Izmir , or spend some time at seaside resort town Kuşadası. If you opt for the latter, the Hotel Carina is a nice, affordable option to inject some resort-like amenities into your Turkey adventure.
Photo credit: Hotel Carina
Hotel Carina | From $60
Location: Most of the action in Kuşadası revolves around Ladies Beach or the Old Town. Hotel Carina is ideally situated right between them. It’s a 15 minute walk either direction to get to one of these areas, and mini-bus service can make it an even quicker trip. The property is quiet and overlooks the Aegean sea, offering awesome sunsets from your balcony.
Staff: We found the staff at Hotel Carina to be extremely courteous and helpful. From receptionists to the servers at the poolside bar, everyone was genuinely hospitable and seemed to really enjoy their job. They were quick and keen to offer insights into the city, recommend places to visit, and assist with which bus lines to take.
Photo credit: Hotel Carina
Rooms: The external grounds of the hotel are quite nice, especially for its budget-friendly price. It looked to have been fairly recently remodeled when we stayed there. There is a nice pool with a well-stocked bar, a great chance to try Raki, the Turkish liqueur, or the local beer, Efes. An onsite restaurant offers you the convenience of staying in if you don’t feel like venturing off the property to find a meal. The spacious rooms are well within what you’d expect for the price with nice bathrooms. Our room had a balcony with beautiful views of the Aegean. Free wi-fi was available throughout the property.
Overlooking the Aegean at sunset.
Be sure to try a glass of Raki!
In conclusion: Hotel Carina is a great, budget-friendly option for travelers seeking a little respite in Kuşadası, with easy access to the cities main areas. The amenities of the property are more than worth the cost of the stay, making it a great value for savvy travelers heading to Ephesus.