Hotel Aspen

The Aspen is located 7,5 mi from Antalya airport and 200 m from Mermerli beach, with a transfer time of just 15 minutes.

The hotel attracts a primarily Western European and American clientele. Those travelling by car will be pleased to know they will have the possibility of personally driving through the little streets of the Old Town thanks to a permit issued by the hotel, which has its own car park.

The modest lobby offers no suggestion whatsoever as to the actual charm of the place. Wooden deck chairs topped with chunky white cushions are arranged on the tree shaded patio around the pool, although the pool itself is rather small given the number of guests the hotel attracts during high season. The staff here is very keen to provide its guests with perfectly peaceful surroundings, so there is no music played here, meaning you can fully relax in a truly authentic setting. Those visiting in winter, or unlucky enough to have bad weather, may choose to take refuge in the hotel's large cosy lounge, which features typical Turkish decor complete with a fireplace, and where you'll find a selection of books as well as a large television, provided for your convenience. A little further along you'll find the well-equipped gym, which opens onto a pretty patio area with fountains and orange trees - something of a rarity in the smaller hotels of this area.

The Aspen houses 41 quiet and comfortable guest rooms with a floor area of around 20 m², accessed via red carpeted corridors, as well as 3 Junior Suites featuring luxurious Ottoman decor. On the downside, only 4 of the rooms have a balcony and only 9 of them have a bathtub. Those lucky enough to get a room on the third and top floor will enjoy superb panoramic views across the old port of Antalya. The decor in the rooms is modern and tasteful, with wide purple velour sofas and a pretty frieze running above the bed. Amenities include a fully-stocked mini bar, individual air conditioning and satellite television, but there is no room service.

The board basis of your stay will vary depending on the number of guests: any more than 15 people and the meals will be served as a buffet; any less and you will be asked to choose from an à la carte menu. There is no all-inclusive option here, and the average price of a main course can be up to 13 pounds. The dining room is small and friendly, and the tiny terrace facing the swimming pool also has 4 tables for those wishing to dine al fresco. One major drawback is that the dishes on the menu are fixed, so you're likely to get bored pretty quickly when it comes to meal times!

The hotel doesn't have its own beach but guests can use Mermerli beach, ideally located in the bay of the old port of Antalya, which is under 200 m away. Deck chairs complete with cushions and parasols can be hired for about 3,5 pounds per day and bathing is supervised here. The turquoise blue sea really does make for picture-postcard surroundings, and the fact that it is sheltered from the wind only adds to its appeal. On the flip-side of the coin however, it does get incredibly crowded here at peak times.