If you're thinking of going to Calis, my recommendation would be..... hmmm... go to Turunc.

Seriously though, there are a number of smaller, less commercial resorts that are much more attractive. Turunc, Gocek and Dalyan are places I've stayed. Bitez is nice too. Very few people have a bad word to say for Akyaka, which is somewhere we've always meant to go but have yet to tick off our list.

We've never stayed in Calis, but have passed through many times. Can't say there has ever been anything that's tempted me to stop.

I dont think Calis is a large resort and I dont think its all that commercialised either. What it does have going for it is the lovely seafront and promenade.

Havent been to either of those hotels. Club E is right by where we usually stay, nice position close to the Waterpark and about a 10 min walk to Calis sea front.

Thanks for both your comments.

We have been to Turunc before and the only thing putting us off a return is the long transfer.

We would prefer to be under one and half hours from Dalaman.

Anyone else thoughts or suggestions?

Rose -

If you've been to Turunc you'd be disappointed with Calis.

If long transfers put you off, then you can't beat Gocek - about half the distance from Dalaman, on the same stretch of coast as Calis but in an absolutely beautiful bay. The downside for you may be that there isn't much of a beach, which is what I suspect attracts you to Calis. IMHO boat trips around the Bay more than compensate for the lack of beach.

If you must have a beach, then try Dalyan. The town is in an amazing spot, overlooked by beautiful river cliffs. The beach is superb and can be reached by dolmus (10 minutes) or one of the regular river water taxis (20 minutes but more fun). Transfer from Dalaman is about 35 minutes - around the same distance as Calis, but in the opposite direction.

Thanks for your suggestions.

We have spent a day in Dalyan and been to the beach you describe - I personally loved the beach but not Dalyan!

On the same holiday (gulet cruise) we spent some time in Gocek but we never got off the gulet. I'm not bothered about a beach generally as prefer to swim in a pool or at least get into the sea from a boat (HATE sand!!)

I presume there are plenty of nice restaurants/hotels in Gocek? - Infact will start a new posting!

Cheers

Do a search on Akyaka on this site too... never been so can't recommend anywhere personally, but it's next on our list of Turkey destinations and a lot of people here have raved about it.