The 4 they claim - serenity, design, quality, attitude - all apply, but there's one overriding reason to book here: it's our favourite hotel on the Bodrum peninsula (and we've checked out lots). So overlook the groany name and go for it. You'll find a cluster of bougainvillea-draped houses spilling down to the lush valley of Yalikavak, with the sea glimmering in the distance behind a sparkling pool. Each house has a handful of slick and stylish rooms, combining natural materials with modern comforts in an airy, all-white space.
Down by the pool, you can kick back on low white sofas to the gentle beat of chilled jazz, play pool or darts in the sociable living room, or order a cocktail from the award-winning barman. If you fancy staying in, they do a tasty line in salads, wines and seafood; if not, bustling Bodrum is just a few bays away, with no shortage of boutiques, bars and nightlife. By day, you can hop on a gulet cruise, get a day pass to one of the beach clubs, go horse-riding or watersporting, or explore Bodrum castle.
Highs
- The funky pool with its chillout music and white cushions is a cool place to top up your tan by day
- After dark, with a ring of flickering torches and candlelit tables, it makes a magical spot for evening cocktails, too
- Being so near Bodrum, there's no shortage of things to do, but there's also an abundance of tranquil spots to sit and do nothing…
- Rates are refreshingly reasonable for an area aspiring to be the Turkish St. Tropez
- Great and always friendly staff
Lows
- WiFi can be patchy
- The Bodrum peninsula has come out in a rash of boxy holiday villages, though most are mercifully hidden out of sight from here
- The 'easy listening' music in the dining areas may not be to everyone's taste
- Only children aged 12 and over permitted, to preserve the tranquil atmosphere
Best time to go
Like all of coastal Turkey, there's a very clear high season from late June to early September. If you can come before (May-early June) or after (late September-October), that's perfect. The hotel sometimes welcomes small groups in mid June and mid September, so you might have to fit around that. April would also be great for hiking and general exploration, but not for sailing or swimming. Winter (November-March) would be an interesting time to explore Bodrum without the crowds, if you don't mind many (but not all) of the restaurants and ancient sites being shut.
Our top tips
Head into Bodrum (by car or dolmus) to explore its crusader castle complex, its boutique-lined lanes and its endless yacht harbour; you could even catch a ferry from here to the Greek island of Kos for the day.
Location
The hotel is on Turkey's Aegean coast, 2km outside the village of Yelikavak and 18km from Bodrum town.
By Air
Fly into Bodrum-Milas (50km / 45 minutes' drive).
From the Airport
You will almost certainly want to hire a car for your stay. Otherwise, book an airport transfer through the hotel or take a taxi, then use dolmuses (public minibuses) or hotel vehicles to get around the Bodrum peninsula.
By Ferry from Datça
There is a once-daily sailing ferry (summer only) between Bodrum and Datça, which takes about 2 hours; see bodrumferryboat.com for details. You can take your car on board, allowing you to make a loop Dalaman – Datça – Bodrum – Dalaman. Or, if you're really clever, you could get dropped off here at the end of a gulet cruise.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Turkey and getting around
Airports:
- Bodrum-Milas 50.0 km BJV
Other:
- Beach 0.5 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 1.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 8 independent reviews from i-escape guests
This is a beautiful property, with lovely views and tasteful decor. We went off season so it was very empty and we had the pool to ourselves. We enjoyed boules, pool, yoga and Thai massage. The staff were very obliging. The menu is good but could be improved for vegetarians, and with some more choice at breakfast.
Our stay at the 4 reasons hotel was fantastic from the moment we arrived. The staff were extremely helpful and catered to our every need. The pool area provided a perfect place to relax and there was plenty of seats including sun beds and lounge chairs taking in the impressive ocean view. We particularly recommend watching the sun set on the terrace! The room had everything you need and provided the perfect base. It was clean and serviced everyday. We couldn’t recommend the food more, from the buffet breakfast included in the B&B rate to the delicious lunch menu sat around the pool. The evening food was always excellent and we ended up eating in most evenings! Overall we would like to say a big thank you to Baran and Abdu who made the stay even more special by providing everything we needed for a fully relaxing stay. We fully recommend this hotel!
Cannot say enough wonderful things about this property and the staff! Magical sunsets, wonderful food, a quiet oasis, and a wonderful base from which to explore the Bodrum Peninsula. The other guests we met were repeat visitors and it is not hard to understand why.
Our stay was excellent. We had a Junior Suite which was spacious and comfortable. Very comfortable bed with good white bedding. We had a great view from our balcony with lovely chairs and table. Everything was of a good quality. Our room was cleaned every day with fresh towels etc when needed. We were really glad we’d paid that little bit more to get the larger room. It was definitely worth it. The breakfast was fantastic. Choice of eggs freshly cooked each day with a spread of bread, cheeses, olives, fruit, pastries, jams, tomatoes and salad laid out in front of you each day. This is not a buffet - the waiter does it beautifully in front of you whilst you are seated. We ate huge breakfasts each day because it was just so tasty! We were in the hotel most days. Sitting out on the terrace with the beautiful view and sunsets was fabulous. There was a large menu to choose from. The prices are in line with some of the better restaurants in Yalikavak. It was very quiet whilst we were there so we felt like we had our own private villa on some evenings! With regards to the service - this is where the 4reasons really stands out from the crowd. The service you receive from all the staff at the hotel is outstanding. There is a whole host of staff behind the scenes such as the cleaners and gardeners who you don’t see so much but the waiting/bar staff (Baran and Abi) were faultless. Friendly but reserved so you didn’t feel that their presence was intrusive. They made us feel like nothing was too much and things were done before we even asked! We felt that for the level of facilities, food and service this hotel is great value. We had such a restful week that I would recommend it to anyone who wants a week away from it all. The hotel is about a 20 minute walk from Yalikavak which is larger than I thought it would be. Definitely worth visiting - the market on a Thursday is good and the new marina is amazing. In the evenings, it is fairly busy with a good vibe but you need to get a cab back to the hotel. The beaches are not brilliant. They are all a very narrow strip and most you have to pay to go on (no different really from paying for sun loungers in the Mediterranean) but we felt that the pool at the hotel was nicer. Thanks for an amazing holiday. The booking process was easy and we paid the majority of our bill at the hotel when we left.
Tucked away on a hill overlooking Yalikavak, this small hotel is a world apart from the town and glitzy marina below. Both are easy to get to by taxi if you are looking for a change of scene, or they are just a 20 minute walk through a quiet residential area. Our room was very comfortable, lots of space, with a balcony for star gazing and sunset watching. Staff are exceptional - friendly and informal (with lots of knowledge), which only add to the hotels relaxed feeling. We ate at the hotel most nights on the terrace overlooking the bay, and the food never disappointed. Turkish main courses, small dishes as well as home made pasta and salads, everything was excellent and presented beautifully. Easily the best food we ate while in Turkey. Exploring Bodrum is easy by car or bus, but the surrounding area is mainly villages with small beaches (often quite commercialised). The hotel has info on longer day trips and boat trips if that's your thing.
Great location for this family run hotel. A piece of oasis in the middle of the Bodrum madness. We loved the tranquility, the food, the comfortable rooms and attentive staff. We will visit again without a doubt.
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