Yalikavak, Kivanc Hotel

Just returned this morning from the kivanc Hotel at Yalikavac. We moved there from our Hotel in Gumbet (Serhan)as it was not suitable. After visiting Yalikavac for a day we fell in love with it, so peaceful, always has a slight breeze which is so lovely during the hot summer months. Staff at the Kivanc couldn't be more helpful. From the first time we met them they went out of their way to make our stay there just wonderful. Our room was ground floor near the pool, lots of room and very clean, we kept our own drinks,chocolate etc in the fridge and no one said anything. The owners said they had only been there a year. Food next door at the Secret Garden is the best in Yali, staff again were great there. Try the Fahitas if you go there for a meal.

Only downside to Yali is that the boat trips are twice the price of most other places we have stayed in Turkey. 50tl per person, you can normally get a boat trip for 25tl. We got the bus to Bodrum (20 mins)which costs 4tl each, instead and walked down to the harbour and got a boat trip from there. They leave at 10.30 so as long as you leave Yalikavac bout 9am you have plenty of time to get to Bodrum and chose which trip you want. We went on the Karen, medium size boat but they don't take too many people (about 30) lovely cumfy cushions to sit on and the food was good. You are supposed to buy all your drinks on board but no one mithered us about this, we took our own and just bought some off the at lunchtime, just keep you own drinks in you bag and drink them when staff not around. Fantastic day out.

We have just come back from our holiday in Yalikavak. We stayed in Kivanc Hotel and we absulately loved it.The hotel is in good location, room is very clean and hotel staff are very friendly. The breakfast was excellent with variety of Turkish cheese,olives,salami etc.The garden is ideal for kids to play. Swimming pool is clean. We enjoyed very much stay in in Kivanc Hotel Yalikavak. I can highly recommend this hotel to anyone.

Pleasant staff waiting staff. Beautiful Gardens.. We were put in a ground floor room that over looked the road which meant we had no view. We couldn't open curtains as passers-by would have seen everything and couldn't open windows because of the noise. It seemed that all the best rooms with balconies rather than terraces that over looked the garden were reserved for Turkish guests.

I've just come back from this hotel (yesterday 9/7/07) so thought while it was still fresh on my mind I'd write a review to warn others off. Where do I start?? On arrival found we were in a ground floor room. Asked could we be changed to a higher floor & were told not possible for at least 5 days. As we were only there for 1 week there was no point in that. Got to the room which on sight looked quite nice, then went for a shower & found one of the doors was hanging off. The cleaners never came until at least half six/half seven at night and then they only straightened the bed. We deliberately left hairs from our brushes beside the bin in the bathroom & they were still there 5 days later. We had to go & ask for toilet rolls, clean towels etc & only once did they give them to us. The waiters aren't very pleasent at times. The pool was quite big but although I saw it being cleaned every day there was always a scum line the whole way round it & mildew in the vents. The breakfast is ok if you like boiled eggs, cheese, olives.

All in all I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Ok, we didn't pay a lot but wen you stay in any hotel you expect it to be cleaned every day at a decent time. You don't expect the maid to turn up at night after you've had a shower. When she did we told her not to bother as she didn't do anything anyway. When I complained to reception at 7:15 that the maid still hadn't come he just told me they are still working and will be there soon. At last one came (but not to clean our room) he told me ours wasn't being cleaned till the next day (when we were leaving) & even showed his list with what rooms he had to do. The only good thing is the location, although it's on a hill it's just a few minutes walk to restaurants bars etc. We loved Gumbet itself & will definitely go back but never to the Kivanc.

This is the second time we have used the Kivanc Hotel in Turkey, mainly for the spacious rooms and its location. We had no problems with putting our own items in the fridge, although there is a sign prohibiting this in the reception area. This is probably one of the nicest hotels for situation, and it has the most beautiful and well maintained gardens in Yalikavak. We would certainly use it again. The staff were pleasant, especially the cleaning staff who often left the bedroom with flowers decorating the towels which were laid out in various pleated shapes on the bed. The breakfasts were plentiful, as were the cats who regularly visited for a snack.

Unfortunately, the hotel do not make the best of their resources, and they could certainly do more in the way of providing decent snacks and evening meals. Not that we usually eat at the hotel as there are too many excellent restaurants around.

This was our third year to Yalikavak and we will be back.

The Kivanc Hotel in Yalikavak is small, uncrowded and well located for the centre of the village. The pool is fine. The self service breakfast is excellent, with a great variety of food available.

Nothing was removed from the room. Nobody stopped us eating anything. The room was cleaned every day and clean towels provided (with floral patterns!). We met guests who regularly stay there. We would go back there again.

I Would go back to the Hotel Kivanc. I have been too Turkey 7 times. This was the first time and last time too Gumbet, the resort is a dump. But the hotel was great. Go too Altinkum its fantastic.

Kivanc Hotel, I would go back again. but not with First Choice as they will not let you have a high room. All you need to do is lock you drinks away, buy a couple of drinks at the beginning of your stay at their bar, take them back to your room & use the glasses for the rest of your holiday.

I Agree with ANN. We experienced items taken from fridge including 1 medical item. These were returned after a heated pow-wow. We stayed Half Board 6-20th June 04, but ate out more than at the hotel so take heart ANN because the evening meal was just as uninviting as the breakfast offerings. Our friends from Wales stayed at Stalag Taskule on the same dates, it has not put us off meeting next year in Yalikavak albeit not via First Choice.

Kivanc Hotel

Not allowed food or drink in your room despite a fridge - maids are instructed to search and confiscate contraband - even mineral water.

Owners treat guests with contempt and their staff like dogs. They demanded a guest hand over an orange he was eating on his terrace (bought from the market!) Beautiful resort with lovely people - exception being the Kivanc Hotel - would not recommend it to Anyone