Gardenya Hotel

Resort Opinion.
Avery nice resort with plenty of shopping/good nightlife and good facilities, with perhaps the lack of daytime activities being the resorts only drawback.
Hotel Opinion
We were very impressed with the Gardenya Apartments. Facilities were kept clean and in good condition. The layout of the complex means that you don’t have to go through reception when you are returning in the morning, which is great for privacy. Security is present in the complex but is friendly and unobtrusive. No stupid fines existed in the complex as are the norm in other hotels.
The only downside is that they don’t supply you with toilet rolls during your stay. This little problem is easily overcome. In the complex itself at the side of reception and down the stairs, is a public convenience. You can also obtain your free supply here for the duration of your holiday. Also if that runs out numerous other establishments will keep you supplied as well.
Beach Reviews
Kumbahce Bay Beach Bodrum
It seems that strict textile rules apply here and on most beaches on the peninsula. Sorry people it’s so bad here even the Essex/French Girls kept their tops on! Masmalomas beach on Gran Canaria is still my number 1. This beach can get very crowded here. Sunbeds are not free and there is very little space for putting up your own free shade. Shops and bars are nearby and we found the beach attendants most friendly and helpful especially Ahmed from Morocco. You will see him at the start of the beach. Please note that prices are quite steep and portions are small, so it would be wise to invest in a cooler bag.
Gumbet Beach.
Strict textile rules apply here. Sunbeds are not free. Not as crowded here. Significantly more space here for setting up your own sunbeds/shade here. No water sports observed here. There are beach attendants here.
Gumusliuk Myndos Beach.
Strict textile rules apply here. Free beach chairs/sunshades. A very peaceful and quiet beach. Water sports here and snorkelling equipment here for viewing the underwater ruins. Beautiful scenery here. However there is a big litter problem here especially on Rabbit Island. No Beach attendants here, but shops and toilets nearby.
Shopping In Bodrum
Bodrum is excellent for shopping especially Leather goods. Most shopping is done in the evening until quite late till 1 am. Consequently it can be difficult to traverse the main thoroughfares of Cumhuriyet/Dr Alimbeyand Neyzen Tevfik Cad at these times. You can avoid all this chaos by using the back streets parallel to the main streets, which have regular connections to each other. Also goods which are identical to what is being sold on the main street can be purchased much cheaper here.
One note of warning beware of cheap cigarettes, you may get into trouble here at the Airport on departure. We found certain shops in Bodrum to be superior as regards quality price and service.
For Gold Silver Jewellery.
We highly recommend Burak Jewellery, which is located on Kale Cad beside the Mosque. Brian speaks excellent English and is so friendly. Jewellery is sold to international standards and witnessed written guarantees are supplied.
For Leather Clothes
We highly recommend Hermes Leather at the start of Kale Cad. Mohamed whom you will see sitting outside speaks perfect English and sells excellent leather Clothing. If you like you can buy off the rail or au couture. Either way clothes are of excellent quality and the service is par excellence.
For Aviation Jackets clothing we also recommend The Leather Inn, also situated on Kale Cad Clothing of excellent quality can be purchased at a fraction of what you would pay in Ireland.
For very special presents we recommend Dolphin Silver & Watch Shop. Situated at the very end of Kale Cad, be sure to ask for Milzo.
Styles of Watches sold are the following.
OMEGA
TAG HEUER
ROLEX
GUCCI
CARTIER
CORUM
BREITLING
CHOPARD
IWG
LOUIS VUITTON
MILITARE MARINE
Be sure to visit Milzo early in your holiday. If you put a deposit on several watches ,he will let you take them out one at a time to test them out. If they break or if any problems occur ,they will be replaced or repaired for you. All of the six watches I purchased are still working one year later and are keeping excellent time. The only downside it that unfortunately it is not very safe to publicly wear Gold Rolex or Breitling watches in Dublin Today
Gyms in Bodrum.
If you don’t have a Gym attached to your hotel and you want to work out whilst on holiday, we recommend the CAN sport centre which is near to Kale Cad
Run by Cetin Silis who is an ex Turkish Bodybuilder National Champion, the Gym has a complete range of basic fitness equipment. Open after 10 am till late to all ages and to both genders. Rates are very reasonable.
Please note that the Turkish Gym culture is different to that in Ireland. People often stay a long time on particular machines in Cetins Gym. Where as in Ireland we do short reps and move from machine to machine ,which is better for deoxygenating muscles. The Gym is very social and people are on a first name basis, which is way better to the culture at the large impersonal gyms in Dublin. An advantage of Cetins gym is that most Door Security Personnel work out here before they start their duty, and consequently i had no problems in any of the nightclubs.
So bring your own towels gloves and be prepared that your workout will take a little bit longer. Also be sure to accept the obligatory bir chai from Cetin even if it disrupts your exercise.
Eating out in Bodrum
The general rule here is that the closer you get to the Marino is the worse the service you get and it gets dearer.
We highly recommend the following restaurants
The Mandarin Apart Hotel.
You will get excellent service from Ayhan Kaya and staff here at reasonable prices. They also organise Turkish Theme Nights with male and female Belly dancers. Ayhan is an avid world music fan. So if you have any spare cds of your countries modern music he will appreciate them.
Jimmies Restaurant
It is hard to get past Jimmies staff unseen. Again they give excellent service and at great prices.
Both restaurants will give extra large free drinks if you are a regular customer.
Nightclubs in Bodrum.
The two main clubs in Bodrum is The Boat and Halikarnas.
We all agree that the Halikarnas is overpriced ,overcrowded and over hyped. It takes so long to get drinks ,it’s unbelievable. Dont even think about going there if there is a foam party on.
Our choice of the large nightclubs is The Boat.
Tips about Bodrum.
Use the Dolmus to explore the Peninsula .It is an experience in itself.
Opposite the apart hotel is Hessian’s Shop. He is way cheaper than the hotel shop and he will change all your Turkish coins into paper money.
It is hard to believe that it is difficult to get good quality fruit and vegetables in most shops in Bodrum. There is an excellent fruit market near the Central Bus Station in Bodrum.
A very popular resident of the Bantur Naz Hotel amongst Ladies and Children is Sunbathe hotels resident St Bernard favourite activity is to lie under the air conditioning, although sometimes she undertakes voyages of discovery into Bodrum Hotel. A great picture opportunity.
There is a Great Mile Faillte here in Bodrum, which has sadly gone from our country. Yes we will be back and insisting on staying in the Gardenya Apartments.