Tas Otel
Alacati, Turkey
Romantic, rustic-chic guesthouse that put Alacati, the best-preserved town on Turkey’s Aegean coast, on the map
Alacati was a sleepy backwater until the gusty bays nearby were
discovered by windsurfers in the 1990s. Now, it’s one of
Turkey’s best-preserved towns - largely thanks to the
charismatic Zeynep Ozis, who abandoned a high-flying marketing
career to convert a century-old mansion into a bijou guesthouse.
“My ex-husband told me I’d be better off becoming a
Formula One driver than running a hotel,” Zeynep laughs. How
wrong he was. Tas - the first hotel in Alacati when it opened in
2001 - has spawned dozens of copycats, but still remains the most
popular.
No wonder. Everything feels effortless, from the gracious welcome
to the 7 antique-chic bedrooms, with their floral quilts,
embroidered linens and whitewashed walls. There’s a pool
garden for lazy summer afternoons, and a fireplace for curling up
with Oglum, the golden retriever, on winter afternoons. And come
evening, it's a joy to venture out to the chi-chi boutiques and
gourmet restaurants up the road.
“A British reviewer once called our hotel
'unpretentious',” says Zeynep. “I didn’t know the
word, but when I looked it up I thought: yes, that’s the
secret of our success!”
Reviewed by Rachel Howard
Last updated 11 May 2012
Highs
- The intimate, easygoing atmosphere - you’ll feel more like a house guest than a customer
- Lovely local staff who are eager to share their insider tips
- Fabulous breakfast feasts on the vine-shaded patio, plus complimentary afternoon teas with homemade cakes
- The tranquil walled garden with a pool and hammock - you’ll feel secluded from the holiday crowds and high winds even in peak season
- Beautiful sandy beaches 2km away, great watersports centres for windsurfing and diving, and Alacati itself - cobbled and charming with alfresco classical concerts in summer
Lows
- Antique wooden floors mean you might hear your neighbours coming and going
- Room #1 is small
- Only one room has a tiny balcony (#2), but the lovely communal garden makes up for that
- No children under 12 except by special request - a high for some
