Hi andy & mel,

There are a couple of reviews of the Orion Hotel on this sites hotel reviews section -
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/turkey/bodrum-region/bitez/orion-hotel/

There are loads of excursions around the Bitez area - just go to any of the tour agencies in the resort and look around. They sell the same excursions your tour rep will offer, and the tour agencies are usually better value, and better quality.

If you haven't been on one before, a must on a holiday to the Bodrum area is an all day boat trip.

Happy holidays,

Elaine

Hi Elaine
Thanks for the prompt reply.
This is our 6th visit to turkey the first 4 years we stayed in altinkum and last year in ortakent.
we love the boat trips etc.. also we like the historical sights like efesus and pamakule but we feel that from the side of the peninsula we are staying on, efesus etc.. would be too long sat on a coach and then 3 hrs
of pure boredom walking around a jewellers or carpet factory.
maybe a couple of years ago we would have enjoyed this but once you have had the hard sell is once too often. I`m sure that the tour operators are on a commision (not that i blame them).

we did our version of diy last year on the cheap i.e dolmus, we visited yalikavak, turgitres, gumbet, bitez, bodrum etc.. i can recomend this way of exploring we had great fun hopeing that we were getting on and off the dolmus where we were supposed to.

We did read the hotel reviews but i was just hopeing maybe to get some feedback from somebody who may stay here on a regular basis. we did go and have a look around and all of the guests we spoke to seemed quite happy with the place but me always being a pessimist only ever seem to take notice of the negative rather than the positive comments.

Regards
Andy & Mel

Hi Andy and Mel,

Bitez is the place for us, we are going again in May, and staying again at the Manuela Hotel.

PRAWN is the only member of this forum, that I can think of, who has stayed regularly at the Orion.

From what I can gather from her reports, The Orion changed hands last year, and is not quite as good as it was before.

It is at the opposite end of the resort to where we stay, but do have a walk along the front to the Temple Bar (adjoining the Manuela Hotel) and you will have a great night out.

There are lots of lovely bars and restaurants along the front. One we like is The First Stop, and I'm sure, after this next holiday, we will find others to match up to it. (we only went for a week last year)

Enjoy your holiday,

Mike and Marn

Hi, Andy and Mel.

Yes, we have stayed at the Orion a couple of times - the last time being last September. We were a bit disappointed as it had changed hands and we did not enjoy it as much as we had before. One of the reviews on the hotel pages is from me.

Have to agree with Marn about the First Stop, also try the Mert Kats, the Yelgin, Pescatore (practically next door to the Orion) - loads of good restaurants with a wide choice and prices to suit everyone.

Have a good time, I am sure you will love Bitez.

MikeandMarn, Prawn ,
are you going to Bitez again in september this year?
If so , looking forward to seeing you again and Prawn for the first time after you hid from me last year

del949

Hi Del,

Back from Goa, are you Hope you and Ev had a good time (it's hard not to in Goa)

We are going to Bitez 7 weeks today. Booked the flights last November.
Only had the flight times changed three times. But we're going, and that's all that matters.

Hope you manage to find Prawn next time. Chris at The First Stop, will point her out to you. Have you got another hat with GOA on it

Will keep in touch.

Marn and Mike

Hi, Del. Not booked yet (weddings and things keeping us busy at the moment) but hope to be back in Bitez at the beginning of September - about the same time as last year.

If you had been wearing your hat with 'goer' on it I would have been sure to see you!!!

changed my hat for a black one with Land Rover on it now, but will no doubt change it again before we go.
just to clarify for anyone not in the know, the hat said GOA not GOER, that would have been a breach of the Trade Descriptions Act.
Yes Mike , enjoyed Goa again, so much that we have booked for next year already
best wishes

del949

Hi, Del. Will need a full description of the new hat before the hol. Don't want to be accosting the wrong man (again!!!!)

I was just wondering if there are many shops which sell the basic needs for a self catering holiday any other info. on bitez would be most appreciated!

I was just wondering if there are many shops which sell the basic needs for a self catering holiday any other info. on bitez would be most appreciated!

The shops in Bitez are limited in my experience to what you can buy. Typical touristy shops - not much choice and pretty expensive, OK if you run out. If you get the Dolmus into Bodrum there is a large Tansas behind the main bus station, also a smaller Tansas on the left hand side of the highway between the Bitez road junction and Konacik. The small one is beside a Teksan - like Homebase shop. It's not so far as Bodrum but has a limited choice, still requires a dolmus though. There's also weekly markets - I think the one in Bodrum is Friday, the one in Gumbet is a Sunday. Have fun in Bitez - it's a wonderful place.

We are going to Bitez on Monday, for the second time.

There are lots of restaurants, but only a few shops for buying groceries.

Bitez is small and friendly, and I am sure you will love it.

If I was going SC I would take some basics with me, especially bacon if you can't do without an English breakfast.

hey im off to bitez at the end of august and being a first timer im excited but nervous at the same time stayin at the queen apartments hopefully nice resort with a few shops and resteraunts i know i have to go to gumbet to party

thanx for the info turkish_visitor

HI All

Can anyone who has recently came back from bitez advise on good bars resturants etc... As i know from previouse experience in turkey
how quickly things can change an example of this we found in altinkum a couple of years ago an italian resturant one night a clothes boutique the next

Regards
Andy & Mel

We stayed in Bitez from 10-18th June.
We tried Daphnes, First Stop, Blue Moon, Manuela Hotel Restaurant, Mayflower and the open air restaurant at our hotel (Summer Gardens).
They were all good though we were a bit disappointed with First Stop after having heard so many good reports about it.
We thought the best was our hotel restaurant.
Prices were very reasonable and didn't seem to vary that much.
Bill usually came to around £15-£20 for 2 for a 2 course meal with free garlic bread and /or fruit thrown in and even a free bottle of wine at Mayflower and Blue Moon.
Enjoy!

Hi, Scooby. How did the DIY go? Was the transfer ok and if so, which one did you finally use? 8 weeks on Monday and I will be back in Bitez. Thanks for the update on restaurants. Was the Daphne the one in the garden round the back (as it were!)? We were going to try that one following Del's recommendation last year.

Hi Prawn

Everything went great with our first DIY thanks -flights on time, hotel excellent and a bargain at £96 for the room!

We ended up using a private transfer (British lady who lives in Ortakent)recommended by another HT user-if you are still looking for a transfer let me know and I will send you a private message with her contact details.

Yes, The Daphne is the one round the back in the gardens-not a very extensive menu but nice food, good service and peacefull surroundings

Have a great time-the 8 weeks will pass by before you know it!