I've read a very good review about this hotel on The Guardian's website, but now have a feeling it was written by one of the owners!! I was planning a two week trip to Patara in early September - can anyone either recommend a good place to stay, or share any info on Viewpoint?

Hi Saminoodle, If you find out,please let me know. Thanks

I've only just seen this post and it's such a coincidence! My daughter and her husband returned from a week in Patara yesterday morning and have raved about it so much that my husband and I are starting to consider a holiday there ourselves next year. So, I was looking up accommodation on the web last night and the Viewpoint was the place that I really fancied (I hadn't seen the Guardian review or this message)!

I've just come home from seeing her this afternoon and I asked her if she remembered this particular hotel, but unfortunately, although she thinks she remembers seeing a sign pointing to it, she doesn't remember actually seeing the hotel itself.

They stayed in St Nicholas Pension, which she said was very basic, but good value for what they paid - 14 euros a night for an en suite double with breakfast. (That's for the two of them, not each.) The Pension has a taverna attached to it and she mentioned that several people they met, who had stayed in Patara before, told them that the chef there was the best in Patara.

The St Nicholas sounds a little bit TOO basic for us, being of an age now where we like our comforts, but the Viewpoint, at about 35 euros a night for two, seems like it could be a good choice if we decide to go to Patara.

Thanks Xenos - The Viewpoint has got a website if you're interested. It's www.pataraviewpoint.com. It does look amazing - do let me know if you decide to go.
I, on the other hand, have changed my mind and decided to try Crete!

xenos

The Viewpoint is immediately behind the St Nicholas - overlooking the village. I stayed there in June for the second time - and will return again next year.

I'm currently writing a post about it for saminoodle - it should be on in a couple of hours - I'm trying to cut it down as it is so long!!!! (All very good comments I may add)

Brian

I returned from Patara and the Viewpoint in late June after 2 glorious weeks. This was our 2nd visit - and we have already booked for next June!!

I will give the Viewpoint a 100% recommendation - the staff a further 100% - and Turkey also. Yes, you can see I love Turkey. I went 1st time solely on the Guardian review - and it was better than I could have hoped for.

I've been to Turkey 9 times - and Patara is my favourite. If you want large, crowded noisy resorts - Patara is not that.
It is only 20 minutes from Kalkan - which is decidedly more upmarket - but so too are the prices. Patara is as authentic as old Turkey could be - and if you want modern Turkey, just pop along to Kalkan.

Now the Viewpoint!!

Small basic rooms, with toilet and shower, plus the important bonus - individually controlled air-con.
(Don't forget the 'romantic mosquito nets!!)

They do a nice breakfast - eggs, cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, melon, fresh bread and as much tea/coffee as you want. The only extra to add, if you want it, is freshly squeezed orange juice.

After breakfast the owner, Muzaffer, puts guests in his tractor/trailer and takes them down to the quiet, unspoilt beach. Returns at 3pm to take you back for tea by the pool. Every single day - free of charge!! You can make your own way to the beach by dolmus if you wish.

The pool is small and very clean - with plenty of good quality sunbeds. They also do lunches - all freshly prepared - some local mixed meze dishes plus chips/omelettes etc.

I can't praise Muzaffer and Anne-Louise highly enough. They are absolutely brilliant, helpful, friendly, courteous and relaxed.
The staff are equally friendly. Jemal & Phylis - (husband & wife) - who clean the rooms, pool etc - and their young son Onur. First class.
Ibo, who runs the bar and does anything else you need, is a hard-working honest ambassador for Turkey - a real gentleman.
I'll get myself in trouble now - but there is a new girl working in the kitchen and I can't remember her name offhand - I will offer her my humblest apologies next year.

I appear to be referring to everyone like family - but that is how friendly this hotel is - you are made welcome from the moment you arrive.

Last year we arrived at Dalaman, and as I picked my case off the conveyor - there was Muzaffer waving at me through the window!! 25 seconds later we were in the minibus and away - no waiting for 50 others or a guided tour of the hotel resorts. He had dropped two couples off an hour earlier and waited for us - you may be picked up by car depending on flights/numbers.

Sorry about that - I was editing my post and it ended up being posted instead of edited before it was finished!!!!!



Message: I returned from Patara and the Viewpoint in late June after 2 glorious weeks. This was our 2nd visit - and we have already booked for next June!!

I will give the Viewpoint a 100% recommendation - the staff a further 100% - and Turkey also. Yes, you can see I love Turkey. I went 1st time solely on the Guardian review - and it was better than I could have hoped for.

I've been to Turkey 9 times - and Patara is my favourite. If you want large, crowded noisy resorts - Patara is not that.
It is only 20 minutes from Kalkan - which is decidedly more upmarket - but so too are the prices. Patara is as authentic as old Turkey could be - and if you want modern Turkey, just pop along to Kalkan.

Now the Viewpoint!!

Small basic rooms, with toilet and shower, plus the important bonus - individually controlled air-con.
(Don't forget the 'romantic mosquito nets!!)

They do a nice breakfast - eggs, cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, melon, fresh bread and as much tea/coffee as you want. The only extra to add, if you want it, is freshly squeezed orange juice.

After breakfast the owner, Muzaffer, puts guests in his tractor/trailer and takes them down to the quiet, unspoilt beach. Returns at 3pm to take you back for tea by the pool. Every single day - free of charge!! You can make your own way to the beach by dolmus if you wish.

The pool is small and very clean - with plenty of good quality sunbeds. They also do lunches - all freshly prepared - some local mixed meze dishes plus chips/omelettes etc.

I can't praise Muzaffer and Anne-Louise highly enough. They are absolutely brilliant, helpful, friendly, courteous and relaxed.
The staff are equally friendly. Jemal & Phylis - (husband & wife) - who clean the rooms, pool etc - and their young son Onur. First class.
Ibo, who runs the bar and does anything else you need, is a hard-working honest ambassador for Turkey - a real gentleman.
I'll get myself in trouble now - but there is a new girl working in the kitchen and I can't remember her name offhand - I will offer her my humblest apologies next year.

I appear to be referring to everyone like family - but that is how friendly this hotel is - you are made welcome from the moment you arrive.

Last year we arrived at Dalaman, and as I picked my case off the conveyor - there was Muzaffer waving at me through the window!! 25 seconds later we were in the minibus and away - no waiting for 50 others or a guided tour of the hotel resorts. He had dropped two couples off an hour earlier and waited for us - you may be picked up by car depending on flights/numbers.

The Ottoman Terrace is an excellent way to relax with an Efes or Raki beneath the stars and a glowing fire. I was Chief Fire Starter most nights!!

I appear to be rambling on a bit - but believe me - if you want a totally relaxing holiday in a quiet Turkish village, with access to an unspoilt golden beach - which is a turtle reserve - options of numerous trips (especially Islamlar Village and Lazy Day Boat Trip) - and be 20 minutes drive from modern Turkey at Kalkan - then the Viewpoint is for you.

The hotel is used mainly by Brits - but we also met Italians - Americans - Dutch and Germans.

The icing on the cake is Muzaffer, Anne-Louise and the staff. Your holiday is further enhanced by their hospitality.

Am I related? No.

I do not tell too many people about the Viewpoint - I never want to see it change - yes that's selfish!!

Just tell the crew at the Viewpoint Hotel, and Muzaffer's brother Arif at the Golden Pension - OSMAN from Scotland says hello and I am missing them all.

Brian

Brian,

You're killing me!! I agonized for a week over whether we should stay at Patara Viewpoint or Patara Prince (in Kalkan) during our upcoming vacation.

I finally decided to go with Patara Prince -- although we don't generally go for resort-type places, we thought Kalkan would offer more. Now, your recommendation makes me want to change my reservation. (My travel agent will KILL me, I keep changing my mind all the time!)

Thanks for the report!

Also, Brian, I'm just wandering -- Is Kalkan large, noisy and crowded, or if by chance you saw Patara Prince, is it noisy and crowded?
Thanks!

We were in Kalkan 3 years ago and unless it's changed radically in 3 years, it's definitely not large and crowded. I thought it was charming and I'd love to go back. We stayed in a nice little pension with a terrific rooftop restaurant - it was wonderful. I liked visiting Patara for a day trip, but I don't think I'd want to stay there. Kalkan was perfect for us.

Brian, that's an excellent review. You make it sound very tempting.

We had almost decided on going to Patara next year, but then we returned for our 11th visit to our favourite Greek island of Paxos at the end of July and the thought of not being able to go back there for two years is making us waiver again.

Going to both is out of the question next year, since we already have 3 weeks booked in Malaysia in April and I'll only have enough leave left to be able to choose between one or the other for a second holiday. It's a real dilemma (albeit a pleasant one!), but I think Patara is going to have to wait another year. The Viewpoint will definitely be top of the list for Patara after reading your comments though!

TerriT,

Kalkan is not large - in comparison to Marmaris, Bodrum or Kusadasi - however, it has expanded rapidly over the past 5 years.

It still maintains a very charming small marina feel about it - and has many excellent restaraunts to choose from. It is not crowded and noisy by any means - though it does get exceptionally hot by the harbour due to its position at the foot of the mountain.

Many of the newer villas and pensions are creeping further and further up the steep approaching road - so care may be needed if you are not into hillwalking!!

Prices in Kalkan are 40-50% more than in Patara - but the standard and quality of restaraunts reflects this.

Patara has seen major excavations over the past 10 years - and the authorities seem intent in doing their best to discourage tourism in the village. It does look quite run down in parts - politically they don't have the clout that other areas seem to enjoy .

The local business community have been 'targeted' by rigorous Jendarme officers ensuring licences etc are up to date and valid. Having your meal interrupted by 14 armed militia personnel is intimidating - but I think that is part of the plan.
(My personal my view on that)

Kalkan offers tourists an abundance of facilities in a charming harbourside setting - Patara will always be my favourite, though it may be too quiet and relaxed for some.

Brian

Hi Susan & Brian --

Whew...feel better now that I've heard more about Kalkan. The truth is, you never know how you'll feel about a place until you actually get there. Guess I will save our travel agent some headaches and just keep to Patara Prince and make a trip to Patara and have tea at the Viewpoint. Their deck-style seating looks kinda cool....

BTW, I noticed in my last post that I said I was "wandering" instead of "wondering." For the record, I do know the difference between the two. As a person who loves to travel, perhaps it was just some kind of Freudian slip...