Hotel Diamond of Bodrum

In the heart of Bodrum, the bars and restaurants are only a 10 minute stroll away and St Peter's Castle and the marina about a 15 minute walk through Bodrum's pretty, leafy streets. The Milas-Bodrum international airport is about 20 miles from the hotel.

Unlike many of the hotels in Bodrum, the Diamond is open all year round.

The hotel is entered by a bright and welcoming reception manned by smartly dressed staff. The raffia sofas, burnt orange cushions and trendy light fittings are cool and contemporary but the circular, white, plastic quilted sofa in the middle of it all takes it too far. At the far end of the lobby is a great terrace bar accessorised with white sofas and white sails and is probably one of the best places to admire Bodrum's castle and the colourful yachts bobbing in the bay.

The hotel's only pool is disappointingly small and there is no such 'animation' at the hotel but live music by the pool three times a week by and 'Turkish Night' once a week. From the pool area, guests descend the stairs and take a private underground passage to access the beach. There is also a smallish Turkish bath, several massage rooms, a steam bath, sauna, salt room (apparently great for asthmatics) and an indoor pool overlooked by a small fitness room. To keep the younger ones busy, the kid's club is bright and well stocked with plenty of games and activities.

The hotel is made up of 214 rooms (standard and family) and has a maximum capacity of 464 guests. The hotel building has an attractive stone exterior while the rooms themselves each have a small wooden balcony and more than two thirds boast sea views. The rooms are clean and comfortable, with simple furnishings in neutral tones and a parquet floor with all the usual facilities.

Besides the great roof bar near reception there is also a pool bar and two restaurants. The main restaurant is large and airy with wooden buffet areas serving up a selection of Turkish and international cuisine at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its neatly dressed tables look out across the pool. The à la carte Mongolian restaurant is found down by the beach where by day it serves as the beach bar. Open for dinner only, guests may dine here once per stay free of charge.

Via an underground passage, guests have the beach at their feet in mere seconds - albeit a small pebble beach, with a few sun loungers lying side by side. Even if there is limited space, guests have uninterrupted views of St Peter's Castle and the beautiful yachts in Bodrum's harbour. The beach bar is a few steps away and motorised water sports incur an extra charge.