I have several questions regarding this town:

Is Selcuk the best base for exploring Ephesus?

How many nights should we spend in this area?

Has anyone stayed in Hotel Akay or Hotel Nilya?

Any other recommendations for things to see in this area?

Thanks!

Hi eurotraveller,

Selcuk is the right place to have tour by your self because you can walk to St Jean Church, Artemission, even ruin of Ephesus. I live in Kusadasi and NYC so I can not commend anything about the hotels you wrote.
When you get there PLAESE go to SIRINCE too also I am sure you will go to Virgin Mary's house ofcourse not by walk because it is not close like ephesus. Second day you may have half day tour to Prienne, Miletus and Didyma there are many tour companies which have daily tour to here and very reasonable price (You don't need to rent a car and do this tour BUT IF YOU WANT why not?)

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan

Hi Sinan,

You have offered great advice on other questions and I appreciate your willingness to suggest the places I should see. Thank you!

How many days do you suggest we stay in Selcuk? We will have a total of about 18 days in Turkey.

2 days is enough to see

Sinan

We went to Ephesus last year and stayed in Nilya. I quite liked the hotel, especially the breakfast. But make sure to get a room at upstairs, very charming rooms indeed...

I think that the Ephesus was in a walking distance from the hotel, but took a taxi to Virgin Marys house from Ephesus. I strongly suggest to see the local museum in Selcuk, in addition to Sinans suggestions (village of Sirince is really a must see, and fruit wines in the village are great too)...

hotel kalehan
www.kalehan is another charming hotel in downtown selcuk.
happy new year
nejat

The fruit wines in Sirinje are a fun experience but not "great" by any means - more like headaches in bottle form. But the hilltown is very scenic and just an easy dolmus ride up from Selcuk.

I stayed 3 nights this summer in Selcuk. It was the best base for exploring Ephesus, as I believe Kusadasi is notoriously touristy. 3 nights was perhaps a bit too long, although we rented bicyles and rode the 7 or 8 KM to a nearby beach, where we spent the day. Actually, compared to other Turkish towns, where Western tourists can get hassled a bit by shop owners, restaurants, and hotel touts, Selcuk is surprisingly laid back - was a very enjoyable stay.

I actually stayed at a very nice place - what amounts to a backpackers hostel with great double rooms and an outstanding breakfast. It is called the "Australia and New Zealand Pension" I believe - but probably lower budget than what you are looking for (30 mil TL for 1 night)

Selcuk is the best base for Ephesus, though there are also some very laid-back hotels on the beach which would let you combine beach with history (my favorite combination!). If you have time and inclination, two separate visits to Ephesus would be a treat (try for one early in the morning before it's crowded).
However, I felt that Sirince was a tourist trap. It may have been charming and unspoiled some years ago, but it was crammed with tourists looking for a "real Turkish village" and village people all selling the same things. Nice to walk around, but definitely over-discovered.