Hotel Richmond Izmir

On the bay of Selcuk, 9 miles north of Kusadasi and 53 miles from Izmir airport (allow 1h for the transfer).

Open year-round. A primarily French-speaking clientele. The rooms on the 2nd floors of the villas seem to be the best equipped (carpet and sea view).

Built in 1989 and renovated in 2000, the Richmond is built on Pamucak beach, one of the most beautiful and natural in the region, which has been preserved thanks to the surrounding marshes which limit construction. The hotel has 260 rooms set in a modern 5-storey building in a pyramid shape, and 100 villas scattered in a 12 acre garden. The interior decor, without being unpleasant, is impersonal. Aside from its location, the qualities of the complex are mainly the spaced out facilities and good sports amenities. With a total area of 21,520 ft², the external pool (and its two children's pools, one of which has a slide) and the indoor pool will delight keen swimmers. From 1st April to 31st October, do not miss the activities that are announced by an activity team with megaphones.

You will have more privacy in the rooms located in the pretty white villas with triangular terraces. Although they are not all carpeted, they are huge and decorated with a cheery yellow and orange colour scheme. They overlook either the sea or the gardens and have a bathroom with bath and hairdryer, telephone, another telephone, a minibar, a safe (extra charge), satellite TV and an adjustable air conditioning system (though centrally controlled in the main building). Room service can serve meals 24 h a day.

Two restaurants are available. The a la carte restaurant on the top-floor panoramic terrace offers a pretty setting in blue and wood and offers fish specialities. In the main restaurant, which has an open-air section with orchestra, meals are served as buffets. The dishes on offer are varied and there is a good balance between international and local dishes.

The large private beach is part of that of Pamucak, which stretches over 1 mile and has fine clean sand - it is one of the most beautiful in the region. The problem is that the water is rather shallow (you have to walk 655 ft before you can swim) and the water has a lot of seaweed. Equipment includes beach umbrellas, loungers, showers, cabins and a bar. The watersports are independent from the hotel and are not guaranteed. Note the disco - you can dance by the light of the moon.