Kaunos Hotel

This was our 2nd stay here, the last in April 2023 at the start of the season and this was the end of the season. Both times there were very few guests in this large hotel. The ensuite rooms had had been modernised with lighter and attractive furnishings, but there remained a slightly rundown feel to the building. The a/c was good and we received daily water bottles in the fridge, whether we had used the previous ones or not. Bedding and towels were changed daily, though after the 1st day we were given a sheet only half the size of the bed and thus needed to ask for 2 to cover us - this is something we have found before in some Turkish accommodation. The view from all balconies across Lake Koycegiz are the reason to stay here. This is the only accommodation separated from the lake by just the width of the long promenade (and which is full of pedestrians all day and evening long), Ever changing magical views over the lake! From the promenade it is only a minute's walk to the start of the lakeside cafes an restaurants. The hotel has a few tables by the lake for mainly drinks. The wifi was awful, even after we were moved to the top floor to a room with a router just outside the door - "The wifi is perfect on the top floor"! Some of our devices could not be connected at all and the signal frequently dropped out. This had not been a problem last time. We were the only people apparently to use the swimming pool - which has a near infinity effect with the lake. We were disappointed that the dolphin waterfall had been removed since our last visit. Most of the outdoor furniture had been put away - certainly no sunshades -and there was no bar as such, though staff offered drinks from near the front door. The Turkish style breakfast had been fairly basic but acceptable last time but was very poor this time and we did not have it after the first day. Not were we offered omelettes, cappuccino or Americano this time! Staff were friendly and tried to be helpful, largely via Google Translate. There is a small free car park on site. Despite some negatives, the amazing views will take us back there when next in that area.

This hotel is in a stunning location, and every staff member we met was really friendly and helpful. We expected it to be a little tired and in need of some TLC, but it was worse than we expected. Paint flaking from the walls, grubby balcony, furniture very old, lack of power sockets, etc. There was more disappointment for us when we saw the pool. It is one of the first pictures you see when you view the hotel online, but when we got there, it was empty. This was late in May! They started filling it the day we left. We knew Köyceğiz was a small town with not much there aside from the beautiful kordon, so we had actually intended to stay one afternoon relaxing around the pool. Overall, I felt that, without the pool, the hotel was overpriced at nearly £70 per night. My 3 stars reflect the friendly staff, decent breakfast, and the location. With no pool or pool bar, the rate should have been, in my opinion, much cheaper.