BarbraR

We will be in the Bodrum area for 2 1/2 days in late September, and then traveling up to Ephesus for a day before leaving the next morning for a flight out of Izmir airport. I would value any suggestions for highlights to see in the Bodrum area, great restaurants, great hotels, etc. Also, we will drive up to Ephesus and I'd like to better understand the distance from there to the Izmir airport and suggestions as to where to stay that night that could be on the outskirts of the city but not too far from the airport, given our early morning flight. Thank you!

otherchelebi

Selcuk is the town, just two kilometers from ephesus towards Izmir. Bella and next door, Nazhan hotels are nice and quaint but with small rooms. Bella has an excellent restaurant.

Selcuk is 40-45 minutes drive from Izmir adnan menderes airport, mostly on motorway with 120k speed limit (usually +10%)

my favorite bodrum area is Golturkbuku, but i am not a bodrum person.

and my favorite hotel is divan palmyra, again i do not know that many. Club Med Bodrum is another interesting option.

there are reasonably good restaurants at Yalikavak and at Tuzla, however night driving is dangerous because of the narrow roads, the large number of vehicles and high possibility of DUI. So, it is better to eat close to your hotel or at your hotel. In case of Divan Palmyra, the restaurant is very good.

Other hotels near the Divan were Maca Kizi and Mavi, possibly a little less expensive.

On the way to Selcuk, take the side road to Herakleia (kapikiri village) at the town of Bafa, and have lunch or at least a cup of tea there. The village, the ruins and the landscape are definitely worth it. I also still remember the egg plant fried in olive oil and the right from the field tomato and cucumber salad.

Golturkbuku to selcuk is something like three to three and a half hours depending on how much you visit on the route (Prienne, Miletus, etc.)

BarbraR

Thank you! I really appreciate the insights. Can i ask what it is about Bodrum and the area that you do not like as well? I have never been there so I have no real opinion.

Weadles

Bodrum was a big disappointment to us when we visited two years ago. We stayed at The Mamara, which is a gorgeous hotel with incredible views of town, but town itself is rather charmless. It caters to large tour groups and is full of "authentic" gold jewelry and designer jean shops. I think if you're into Euro tech and/or clubbing it's a great place to be, but we couldn't wait to get out of there,especially since the rest of Turkey ( Selcuk and Istanbul) had been so mesmerizing.

otherchelebi

Weadles has said it.

Bodrum is fashionable with Turks because of a herd instinct. Lots of clubbing and boozing.

Many nice hotels, almost all overpriced. The cheaper lodging is even worse value.

restaurants and even the supermarkets are above even istanbul prices.

Lots of drunken drivers at night.

Having said all that, the satellite villages like Yalikavak and Golturkbuku can be nice in may and late September to end October, with reduced hotel cost and the exodus of the crowds from the area.

Bodrum town itself will always be out of bounds for us. If you wish to get close to the city, you can try Gumbet, Bitez or Turgutreis, which are the areas preferred by more modest Brits and Turks.

Torba and Gumusluk have neither the upscale glamour of Yalikavak and Golturkbuku nor the bar scene of Bodrum. in fact there is nothing much special at these locations.

BarbraR

Thank you all - this is really helping us allocate or should I say reallocate our precious time.