Samira Hotel

Had a great holiday at the Samira thanks to tripadvisor. The staff can't do enough for you, the service whether around the pool, at reception or at the restaurant is first class. The hotel is in a brilliant location and has a really relaxed feel and we especially loved the beanbag/games area for chilling out after a hard days sunbathing! Our room was small and basic but with a great view of the sea. We were in the building that hasn't been refurbished like the two blocks nearest to the pool, so would probably book to stay in one of those next time. We tried loads of restaurants, best value is Fred's Place (mentioned previously) we recommend the mix kebab. Our other favourites were the Bosphorous at the Samira and the Olive Garden in town. The Yali bar, at the top of the cobbled streets, is great for people watching. We loved the IBO beach club at the harbour (10 lira per couple) it hasn't got as many facilities as other ones (like the Kalamar and Kalkan) but it is great for snorkelling and the waiters bring tea and cake round in the afternoon! Patara beach and Saklikent Gorge/Trout Farm are worth a visit, and the boat trips are a bargain. Definitely recommend Kalkan - great people, fantastic views, delicious food, great shops and atmosphere and so much to do that you could go back year after year and always find something new to explore. Roll on next summer!

Thank you so much to Tripadvisor, as, like other reviewers, I may not have booked the Samira if it weren't for the outstanding reviews on this site. And if I hadn't booked the Samira I know I wouldn't have had the amazing, and memorable holiday I did. Only repeating what others have said in that the staff are wonderful, so helpful and friendly, they work their behinds off all day everyday, without a grumble, just so that you enjoy your holiday more and more every minute. Guni, Life, Ali, Jack, and Danny, were great behind the bar, and around the pool all day and well into the night. Look out for Guni's card tricks, and don't bet on a game of table tennis with Jack - you'll only lose! Guni and Ali make fantastic Iced Coffee, and super Margaritas but don't have too many of the latter! Ergun (debatable spelling!) also is wonderful, and helped my then boyfriend now fiance, keep the engagement ring safe, and the proposal a secret until the perfect moment! Ask for anything and he will do his best to provide it, often surpassing requests. As mentioned previously the rooms are a little small, but if you can get a room in either of the buildings surrounding the pool side, you'll be fine. My reccommendations for Kalkan - eat somewhere different every night - although it's tempting to stick with a favourite there are so many delicious restaurants it would be silly not to try as many as possible, and none are even remotely expensive. Try Zeki's (Turkish with English fine cuisine influence), the Kosk (Samira's other restaurant in town), and Atlantis (just up the hill road a bit opposite the hotel). Also you absolutely must eat in Fred's Place actually called Oz Adana. It's in the small road running alongside the hotel. It does the best kebabs, and pide, and lentil soup ever. We had the biggest and tastiest meal of our holiday there all for 15 lira. It looks like a shack but trust your tastebuds! And of course eat in the Bosphorous the hotel restaurant, and at the hotel's Turkish night. Sounds cliched but is great fun. Don't try to do too much or do too many trips it's way too hot in July for that. Soak up the Kalkan chill (not temperature - atmosphere!), and you'll have a better holiday for it. You will always come back to Turkey and probably Kalkan, even if you're sure you won't, so there'll always be another opportunity to see things. Do however, go to Saklikant Gorge, and do go to Tlos - usually possible in one day. Also after Tlos, go further up the road and eat at Yaka Park, a completely unique and beautiful restaurant/trout farm. A day out on a boat is a great idea too, and if you're a scuba diver find the C&C boat in the harbour and go out with them for the day - they're really fab people. Also go to Patara beach even if only for an afternoon, to have fun in the excellent waves. Spend the rest of your holiday soaking up the sun by the pool or at the Kalamar, Palm or Mahal beach clubs, although the hotel is by far the best value. Go to Kalkan and go to the Samira, you won't regret it, in fact you might just have the best holiday ever.

having recently returned from a wonderful 2 wk holiday, staying at the Samira hotel I felt it a must that i spread the word on what a great hotel it is (although I'm abit reluctant to do so as sometimes it's good to keep things secret but hay....spread the word!!) The service was faultless...the staff from Ergan co-ordinating the reception, etc who was more than happy to assist with any queries re: area/things to do, the bar, pool and restaurant staff...Guni, jack, Life, ali and the rest of the samira crew(!!) were all entertaining, attentive and first class hosts...which certainly was refreshing as our "british" customer/hospitality services have alot to answer for! The hotel was spotless.....rooms are well presented although alittle on the small size (ours was a standard twin but there were studios and apartment) but i think this is the norm in Turkey,it was than adequate as who wants to spend alot of time inthere in any case when you're in such a beautiful place!! the lovely cleaners come in on a daily basis and clean your room...also air con is provided as some of the hotels out there you have to pay an additional cost. All other amentities such as: pool - a good space and size, surrounded by fig, orange, olive and lime trees..the bar area is a great asset, we had our most socialble holiday yet because of it and met some really great people.....food served in both restaurants was great. Mmmm.....i don't think i can say much more as I think you get the picture...so go ahead and book as you will not regret it!! If it wasn't for tripadviser I would of ended up taking pot luck on our hotel so i hope this provides you with some vital info to help you book a fantastic holiday at the samira.

We went to Kalkan following a reccomendation from a colleague, we chose the Samira having read the reviews on Tripadvisor, we weren't disappointed by either. Yes, Kalkan isn't the 'undiscovered fishing village' that some brochures seem to imply, but neither is it an overdeveloped resort spoilt by tourism. There has obviously been a lot of building over the last few years but it's all low rise and I guess that there isnt room for much more purely because of the nature of the landscape, (its on a steep hillside!). The Samira is an excellent hotel, sitauted about 7-8 minutes from the harbour which is about far enough up the steep hill. (Even though it is steep it's not as bad as I ve seen some reviews make it out to be, if you need to stop, there are plenty of places to get a cold drink and then carry on. ) The hotel and appartments are of a high standard and are immaculately maintained by the hardworking staff under the watchful eye of Urgun the manager. The pool and bar area are of a similar high standard , Gunni and his team of hardworking and friendly staff provide excellent service ( and a lot more) from early morning till as late as you want, though dont wory about late night noise as the music is turned down at a sensible time. We stayed in an appartment on a self catering basis but often had breakfast in the hotel , its worth it for the view alone. The hotel restaurant 'The Bosphorus' is well worth a visit the food is as good as any of the restaurants in 'town' and you don't need to walk up the hill ! We didnt have a bad meal anywhere in Kalkan there are so many to choose from it's pointless trying to pick one out, just wander around and see what takes your fancy. I'd expected to find Kalkan expensive but this isnt the case, certainly not this year anyway. 3 of us ate very well, 3 courses with drinks for no more than £40. Thers are loads of trips to try , we went cannoeing on the river down to Patara beach, and to the 'sunken city' by boat. the only time you can see a cmel and a reindeer on the same day!!. Take a boat trip from the harbour , boats leave at 10 30 ish and for 30 lira you have a day out inc lunch , or you can hire the boat yourself, as we did, and go where you want , cost about £85. I could go one for hours, but to sum up, Kalkan is a gorgeous place, The Samira is one of the best run hotels I ve ever stayed at , if you dont believe me go and see for yourself. (we've already booked for next year)

Have used Trip advisor on numerous occasions to help with booking on line and decided it was about time I wrote my own. Just spent a week with my boyfriend at the Samira Hotel and it was the best holiday ever. The hotel is faultless, the staff are superb and nothing is too much trouble. The pool area and the bar are beautiful and have a great atmosphere. Kalkan itself is a fantastic destination - really chilled out with 5* restaurants and excellent value for money. really recommend going to the beach clubs - we loved the mahal which you get a free boat from the harbour as it feels very exclusive. The Kalimar is fun too esp the floating trampoline!!! We took a day trip to Saklikent gorge with Abi tours which was excellent - definitely recommend the rafting and mud baths although wear some clothes you don't mind throwing out afterwards as they won't be the same afterwards. A day boat trip is a must too even if it's just for the excellent food you get on board and a bargain at £10. Everyone we met was on their 5th/6th visit to the place and we coudl see why we would definitely return in the future. Excellent all round.

Just arrived back from our first visit to Samira Hotel. On the first day everyone we spoke to seemed to have been there many times before and we quietly scoffed at there reluctance to try something new. By the third day we were won over and now having been adament never to return to the same place twice we are planning to return next May, if we had'nt already booked a holiday for this October we would probadly be returning this year. The hotel is excellant value for money, the hotel and location is second to none, but what really makes this hotel is it staff. The reception staff Urgan and his team are friendly and so professional. The bar run by Mr Goony was a joy. The resturant and pool staff namely Life and Eric were so attentive. Our room was kept immaculate by a team of cleaners and I wish I could name them - but thankyou. In all our years of travelling (home and abroad) we have never met such a nice and professional team of staff. Thank's to everyone at the Samira for making us eat our words - we will be back as soon as we can. Jacqueline and Micheal Dixon

My son David and I are heading back to Kalkan and the Samira Hotel for the third time this year. I found it by chance having stopped in for a cold drink one blistering hot July in 2004. Ergun came and spoke to us and made us very welcome even though we were not actually staying at Samira. We ended up spending every day at their pool and have stayed at Samira every visit since. My son David loves the freedom he is allowed as the town centre is closed to traffic which means that as a mum travelling with a youg boy (12 years) I get to chill at the pool without worrying about his safety. Guni, who runs the pool bar with his team, is a very warm and funny guy; with time for every one and nothing is too much trouble. But watch your pizza and chips, though.....if you are reading this Guni....share...share!! :-) I would recommend Samira to anyone, especially if like me, you are a female travelling alone with a child or children. Its safe, warm, welcoming and in a stunning location. I would also recommend just about all the restaurants in Kalkan, you'll be spoilt for choice, but Amhet's just behind the fish and veg market is very basic in decor, but has the most amazing food, and wonderful view of the bay.

We arrived at the Samira Hotel and apartments on a very hot afternoon and received a truly warm welcome. We were offered a choice of room being shown two apartments to choose from - and in August! On the second day of our holiday, walking back from the beach I didn't feel well and eventually fainted in the street. My husband was offered so much help from passers by to get me back to the hotel which was terrific. The care I was given in the hotel by Urgun on reception and so many of the staff was just out of this world. Back on my feet eventually and all the rest of the holiday I was asked, just about every day of the fortnight, if I was feeling well. If the care and attention that I received around the hotel could be shown in other places, particularly England, then perhaps, just perhaps, I would holiday there! Somehow I doubt it. Thank you all for a truly wonderful holiday experience. We will be back one day - in the not too distant future I am sure.

Again my daughter,husband and I had yet another wonderful holiday at the Samira, ALL the staff are courteous and polite they cannot do enough for you , and nothing is too much trouble,it truly makes for a very relaxing holiday. This was our 5th visit to the Samira and guess what we are about to return just for a week . This truly is Paradise for me .

Fourth stay in the Samira, best hotel in Turkey Everything you hear good about the Samira is true but ...... beware of travelling with Metak Travel and the Turkish/Cyprus Airline. They cancel your holiday the day before you travel or give you an alternative of losing a couple of days of your holiday and then have the cheek to offer you £8 compension - yes £8. Ours was not an isolated incident - it was a common occurrence all through the year. There was only 38 on our outward flight and the return flight was cancelled because of lack of travellers. The planes are old and the cabin crew surly. We will go with Anatolia Sky next time - they are good