Ilhan Hotel

where should i start . ok - the hotel ilhan was , in 27 years of foreign travel the worst place i have ever stayed. the location was superb and visually the front of the hotel looked very inviting. in the open/covered bar brekfast area there was a flatscreen tv and full dvd cd system. not once at any time during our stay was this on. not once , at any time did any of the staff make any attempt to connect, or make sure the clientele were remotely enjoying themselves. would we go back - no - and given in the side area , prices are more expensive, and we were tortured during the day by shopkeepers , then tortured in the evening by waiters. not only will we never be back to side, its doubtful we will be back to turkey. be warned !

3 readers found this review helpful

Just got back from Ilhan and have had a lovely holiday. Was really worried before we went after reading some of the reviews but I think the people that were complaining were expecting five star. The Ilhan is very very basic but typical of a turkish pension. The rooms were spotlessly clean as we were worried that they would be dirty. They are cleaned every day and linen changed every 3 days. The breakfast was the same every day but was enough for me, cucumber, tomatoes, egg, cheese, bread and jam. I got cross at the people moaning that they wanted a bacon buttie. It's a muslim country and why go abroad if you want english food. The hotel is really central just seconds from the lovely long beach with free sunbeds and a really quiet location. Very close to the main street with all the shops and plenty of lovely restaurants. We enjoyed Gul, Emirs and Omur. Emirs was our favourite as the food is cooked in front of you and free mezze too. Very cheap. Beware of the restaurants on the sea front as double the price. Check if the price is in euros or lire. Overall, hotel clean but basic, great location just wish the owners were a little bit friendlier like all the other turkish people that we met but they were very nice. Would go back again.

11 readers found this review helpful

This was our third Turkish holiday and the second time in Side. Previously, we really enjoyed our holiday in Side several years ago - that time we stayed out of town, in the basic, but sound Yesil Oz. As we arrived this time, it was clear that the out-of-town development had increased substantially and we were glad to be staying in the shrewdly protected town itself.
We arrived at some unearthly hour to be greeted by one of the friendly hotel staff - first impressions of the Hotel Ilhan were good. It's a modest sized place that's nicely presented, with all the necessary basics and none of the 'Big Hotel' swank; most importantly, it has location, location, location being situated on a very quiet street in the heart of town. There is no pool there, but with the beach only 100m away that becomes a blessing for those who want to swim but also to enjoy a lovely peaceful venue.
The hotel staff were great, with special mentions for Ali and Hugo the rotweiler - both of whom offered unintrusive warmth during the visit. Hugo is a lovely gentle dog, as long as you don't disturb his slumber, on which occasion he might give an out-of-character bark. The breakfast is very simple, but adequate for the hot climate. The rooms are simple but kept very clean - AC is available, but was unnecessary at this time.
Best of all, you've immediate access to a host of great places to eat, drink. These range from quiet to more lively if preferred - for those unaccustomed to Turkey, be warned you will receive a degree of masterly selling as you walk the streets, but do try to enter into the positive spirit in which it is almost universally conducted.
We'd heartily recommend several venues for eating or drinking - top of the list would be the Kosem (just off the main drag, probably 150m from the amphitheatre); they do great balloon pittas, which are superb with meze. Next we'd recommend a restaurant whose name I forget, but is only a 150m walk from the Ilhan, just past the beach entrance - this place has a large gazebo type canopy situated right on the sea-front. The waiters are a really charming threesome, with food and drink that offer good value and quality. Also, just ouside the city wall, overlooking the amphitheatre, is the Theatre restaurant - this offers cheap but good beer, superb views, great pitta and meze and very nice food.
Overall, we had a fantastic virtually flawless week. We'll definitely return to the Ilhan.

2 readers found this review helpful

Excellent holiday - we loved the friendly atmosphere and location! Fell in love with Hugo, the softy family dog - so affectionate and handsome! Beware bombardment by restauraunters, especially at the harbour, to drag you into their establishments, which can be off-putting or just downright annoying.Recommend for good priced, excellent food Erol's, follow road down side of hotel to where it joins the main thoroughfare(2 mins walk), and Emir's (speciality delicious vegetarian) - on road off coastal path by the 2 'rounded' cafe/bars - no hassle and superb service. Cheapest alcoholic drinks at Manzara, just a hundred yards from hotel near arch entrance to long beach - not much frontage, just a doorway, but good panoramic views, cool and fresh inside, and Elvis gives excellent, friendly service.

3 readers found this review helpful

This was our 2nd time at Ilhan and really can't wait to go back.Ilhan,Yasmine and of course Handan were very hospitable,not to mention mum.We absolutely adore the resort of side and enjoyed every second of our stay.We give this hotel an outstanding 20 out of 10!Hugo is as funny and adoreable as always.So a big hello to yasmine,handan.ilhan,mum and mikey.

1 reader found this review helpful

Hi everybody just had to put my bit in regarding the ilhan we were there in aug last year and it was great jasmine and the gang were fab hugo was a huge dog but a big pet and they adopted the stray who we called gabby so im glad jasmine didnt change her name everything about side was great cant wait to go back.Erols was a great place to eat it was a 2 mins walk from the hotel and the staff are a scream if u go u must go and see the ruins they are something else .

1 reader found this review helpful

I read the reviews before booking a week at the Ilhan for a late holiday. Have to say they capture the essence of the place perfectly. If you want 4 or 5 star, don't bother going to the Ilhan, but if you just want to chill out and enjoy the pleasures of a REAL Turkish holiday, then this place can't be bettered. It's also perfectly located on a quiet (mostly, except for when they bring coach loads of tourists down it, all exclaiming how lovely and quiet it is!) lane just a few yards from the amphitheatre.
It is very simple but clean and very traditional. We had a balcony overlooking the garden and the fragrance of the jasmine and datura were enough to knock your socks off. We spent hours watching the birds near our window and I'm dying to find out what they were - possibly bulbul.
The breakfast is typically Turkish - cheeses, tomato, olives and cucumber plus a basket of bread with honey and jam. Tip - the soft white cheese is delicious topped with the local honey. We didn't bother with the coffee, which was just Nescafe, but the urn of real chai was lovely. The beds were comfortable and they even had a plug for the bathroom basin - a first. We always carry our own because it's Turkish tradition to wash under running water, and they don't use them themselves. There was also a proper shower tray and shower curtain, which saves a lot of mess in the bathroom, but they're not always provided.
The 2 dogs were lovely and we found you just had to be firm with them if you didn't want them to pester you.
You also have to be firm with the salesmen - just carry on walking because as soon as you stop they have you! We also looked at shop windows in short bursts - when the proprietors started to move so did we.
This was our first visit to Side for about 15 years, and it hasn't changed a lot in the old town. Can't wait to go back again.

1 reader found this review helpful

Thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks at this family run hotel. It was our first time in Turkey and we will definitely go back. Well done to Ali who always seemed to be there no matter what time of day/night it was.
Hugo (the dog) was lovely and very placid with customers. We would recommend this hotel to family and friends as it is small, friendly and well looked after.
The ruins in Side are absolutely amazing and well worth a visit.

I just arrived back from Side last Monday morning and I'm already looking into booking for next year, back to the Ilhan. As everyone has already said, yes its very basic but it's clean and all the staff are friendly and make you feel very welcome.
Everyone's mentioned Hugo but while we were there a new dog joined from the streets her name is Gabby and she's also a very friendly dog, they both go crazy when the locals go past on their bikes and Gabby even manages to fit through the fence, she's a bit of a character as you will see if your visiting this hotel .
But I'm gonna give it a 10 out of 10 anyway, and just one last thing if you happen to be staying there and looking for somewhere cheap and cheerful to eat at night I highly recommend Erol's its a 2 minute walk from the Ilhan and I guarantee you will enjoy your meals there.

What a fantastic time we had at the Ilhan hotel. Just arrived back 23 - May.
The Ilhan is a small well run family hotel and everyone there makes you feel very welcome.
The rooms are basic but very clean and the hotel is located right in the heart of the ancient ruins of side, and you are surrounded by history.
Hugo the dog is mega. He’s big but very soft, you will just want love him all the time.
If you’re looking for a nice quiet relaxing holiday with easy access to everything i.e., beach 2 minute walk, shops cafes restaurants bars 2 minute walk. Brilliant.
I would like thank jasmine, Ali, Memmeht and all the staff for giving the best stress free time of my life. We will be returning as soon as possible.