Hi Matt,

Bodrum ticks every box on your requirements, except for the beach - it hasn't really got one.
If you like the idea of the Bodrum area though, there are some lovely AI's in Turgutries, and it does have a great beach, big market, and its only 30 minutes by local dolmus (minibus) to Bodrum, with its castle, marina, etc etc.

From what you've said you're after, I wouldn't recommend Gumbet - yes, there are some lovely AI's there too, and there is a long bay with an okay beach, but no Turkish character to speak of, and loads of bars. The advantage with Gumbet is that it is literally over the hill from Bodrum though. Plus, Gumbet and Bodrum are only 30 minutes drive from the airport - Turgutries 45 minutes.

The AI debate, I think, is entirely down to personal preference. Turkey is very good value for money this year in resort, as the pound is so strong against the Turkish lira. So eating and drinking out of your hotel is not going to break the bank. I prefer self catering, as you then have the choice, you have your fridge and cooking facilities in your apartment, but part of my holiday is going out for the evening, wandering round the resort, having a nice meal and a few drinks etc.

Oh, decisions, decisions eh?

Elaine

Oh yeah,

And if you decide against AI in favour of SC - I'd recommend Bitez as a resort - closer to Bodrum than Turgutries, lovely beach with very shallow water, and some great SC accommodation, in a village setting.

Elaine

cheers elaine! some good advice there thank you. The main reason we would go A/I is that my wife is a sun soaker and would spend hours by the pool supping drinks all day(water,pop), and would prefer a nice 4* or 5* luxury.....and me cause i am tight and could be value for money!.lol.

I have never thought of the resort of Bitez, is that near bodrum area?

Yes it is Matt, you have Bodrum, then the next bay is Gumbet, then the next bay is Bitez. They are literally all over the next hill from each other.
But as far as I know, there are no AI's in Bitez yet. Having said that, a lot of the AI's in Gumbet are actually on the hill heading over into Bitez. But it would be a bit of a trek from any of them to the beach in Bitez - fine going there (all downhill) but it would be a bit of a mare on the way back.

Elaine

what about olu deniz there are some fab all inc 4-5 stars there, belcekiz beach, sun city, olu deniz resort hotel to name a few then the fab full board + lykia world, the main beach is a bit shingly but the lagoon area is fantastic, suara beach part is fab sandy fab views and does free dolmuses from your hotel and back only 5 mins away or 15 mins walk, lovely scenery, hisaronu is only 5 mins up the road by dolmus and has lots of bars and shops too ,so you can go there too. ive been to kusadasi, gumbet/bodrum, marmaris infact most turkish resorts and i love olu deniz i also like marmaris and icmeler, but wasnt keen on kusadasi or gumbet areas, have a look at some of the reports on olu deniz all inclusives theres a live one running on belcekiz and lykia

hiya ellie_meg!..thanks for the reply, could i ask you a couple of quick questions please?

Why do you prefer olu deniz and also what did you dislike about kussadasi and marmaris?

Also have you done A/I yourself and was the food and value any good?

thanks again for your reply

matt

I will back Karen (ellie-meg) up on Olu deniz if you decide to go A/I.Olu is lovely , a good selection of shops/bars/resturants . A great choice of good A/Is and even better, other than Lykia World they are all in resort and not in the middle of nowhere as so many of them are elsewhere. I have stayed at the sun city (A/I) and Aseana Beach (h/B) . next year im staying at Belcekiz Beach. Other areas to consider Iwould guess would be Icmeler/Bitez if you decide to go S/C or Turgeturis as mentioned earlier. I have been looking there for 2007 but again worried about the location of the A/I i like the look of.

have fun looking

lyn

Actually matt ive just read your original post again and i see you are after a "bit" of nightlife. do you mean clubs etc .if so not sure olu would tick that box but there is hisaranu (sorry spelling ) just up the road . Marmaris and Kusadasi are probably the biggest resorts in Turkey and obviously a much bigger choice of nightlife.

lyn

hi lynwestie..not into nightclubs one bit..way too old for that now, sniff...but we do like the bars on the street type of thing.like you get say on the beach front of marmaris( cheers bar,etc if its still there).

thats ok than Matt . pannicked a bit then suddenly thought you may of wanted a young clubby place . My recommendations still stand then but obviously there would not be such a wide choice of resturants/bars as there is in marmaris. But all your other boxes I can safely say will be ticked at Olu if you decide on A/I. Icmeler may be better if you want more bars/resturants and you decide on S/C

hi

i liked marmaris but not kusadasi mainly because the hassle was so intense it drove me mad

i love olu deniz because the scenery is wonderful, i love the lagoon area its like stepping into a warm bath, people are more laid back here so you dont get so much hassle, the resort isnt too big so suits me fine. ive stayed at lykia world and that was wonderful the food was fantastic, stunning scenery everywhere you turn, rooms were lovely, great entertainment ,suitable for adults and kids but it is a bit on the expensive side, the other all incs i stayed in were in marmaris and both werent great, there is a all inc in hisaronu called pink palace avoid that 1 food is bad , im going to akyaka in 2 weeks thats a fab resort but very quiet with only a handful of bars and restaurants ,but wonderful beach, prices are cheaper too as its not that touristy

i think ellie meg has said everthing there is to say but if you need more etertainment there is always the dolmus up to hisaronu which has everything you could want loads of restaurants and bars a few night clubs etc and its cheap either for dolmus or a taxis and olu has to be seen to apreciate its beauty and the market on a monday at the very top of the hill also you are never to old for a bit of paragliding of babdag mountain what a frill