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With some notable exceptions, the hotels in the east are basic, with little in the way of the luxuries you might find in Istanbul or along Turkey's Mediterranean coast. A few boutique hotels are beginning to pop up though, particularly in Mardin, and most cities have at least one decent modern hotel catering to Turkish business travelers. It's advisable to book these well in advance, though there are always plenty of clean and comfortable budget options available.
This wonderfully restored late 19th-century Russian-built mansion is extremely stylish, with a cool, minimalist white-and-gray color scheme, original art on the walls depicting monuments in Kars, and comfortable rooms furnished with contemporary flair. The top two floors of the three-story building have long balconies in the back, where you can sit and order a drink from the bar. Breakfast is served in an enclosed courtyard.
