Hotel Pirat

4 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from an amazing two weeks (wish it had been longer) in the beautiful town of Kalkan. It was the most relaxing holiday I went on with so many things to do.
We stayed at the Pirat Hotel which is exactly as it states, but the warmth and atmosphere of the people is fantastic. The room was always cleaned and the sheets changed everyday (clean crisp sheets everyday) by the team of cleaners who were in and out in a flash but always maintained high standards. The hotel has 3 pools which is great but we did suggest that they perhaps think about reserving one pool just for adults to swin and relax as children would generally use all three pools for diving. This was not a big problem but it did mean that at times you couldn't relax in the pool or if you were too close you would get splashed. The staff at the hotel were always friendly and helpful, they couldn't do enough for you. It was quite impressive to see just how hard they worked and how long they worked in the immense heat, regardless of which they were always smiling! We were in the older part but again that was not a problem and although I initially wanted to be in the newer build I can actually say I think we got the better of the two. The sea view was amazing as we could see right across the habour.
We were B&B as we wanted to try out the many different (200 or so) restaraunts. Our all time favourite was the Korsan Restaurant - do not get this mixed up with the Korsan Fish Terrace or the Korsan Kebap. We absolutely loved the food as it offered such a variety added to by the fantastic owners Billy and Esra - who we've just like to say 'hi and thanks for being so friendly!' The food was always amazing and not surprisingly the restaurant was usually completely booked - so top tip reserve a table as you miss out on the best food on offer! After we'd finished it was great to sit on the sofa's or cushions to enjoy dessert or a drink and you never felt as though you were taking up space! It was so great we ate here on our first and last night!
Our second favourite was the Havana Terrace and this was more to do with the wonderful owners Ahmet and Ertan! They provide you with the whole Turkish package, from wonderful food, incredible hospitality and magnificent entertainment. We couldn't ask for more and on our last night they invited us for drinks there and Ahmet and his son taught us some Turkish dancing. After watchin Ahmet and his son belly-dance for us (and I must say they were better than the women) my partner was coaxed into having a go. If your interested ask Ahmet to download some fabulous Turkish music onto a memory stick he only charges 25L - as a memento! It was the end to a perfect holiday in the most picturesque place I have ever been to.So we'd just like to say thanks to Ahmet and Ertan - again you must go see them, they are so friendly and again they will happily go the extra mile as Ertan said 'if you don't like the food, you don't pay!'
I must mention Enes Rent a Car Service which is next to the Pirat Hotel, particularly Emin who became more of a friend! They offer a fabulous service and Emin is great for telling you top tips. Go see him and he'll sort you out - although you should bear in mind he's always busy with a phone stuck to his ear! Nevertheless he makes time for everyone! Cheers and cu in May!!! I would highly recommend you look to Enes tourism and travel agency for your airport transfer ( look them up on line). I say this as we booked our hol through Travel Republic and included the airport transfer shuttle as I always do. However on this occasion, our transfer to the hotel was less than smooth with our driver falling asleep behind the wheel! I don't have to tell you how dangerous that is on the windy roads, let alone main roads. So for your own safety I would suggest using Enes Tourism as they provide an excellent service and have offices in two other areas. Hey Emin!
Overall, the holiday was everything and more. I could keep writing but I'l prob bore you. So instead I'l say go as you'll regret it if you don't!!!!

1 reader found this review helpful

Very clean hotel.
Very friendly, professional staff.
Hotel has 3 pools surrounded by lots of sunbeds which overlook a lovely bay/marina.
Hotel food is very reasonable; lots of salads and often barbecued mains including fresh fish.
There was a free turkish night with dancing and excellent food.
The resort itself is very chilled out and atmospheric with plenty of bars to go for cocktails/evening drinks and some where you can go for a dance. They wont overly hassle you to go inside either. We were 3 25 year old girls and there was enough to do of an evening to keep us entertained but it wasn't intimidating and there was no trouble.
Would go again.

1 reader found this review helpful

Me and my partner stayed at the Pirat Hotel for our first holiday abroad together (and my partners first time abroad) and absolutely loved it. We arrived at night and were really impressed with the hotel and stayed overlooking the pool ( we had emailed them in advance requesting the room and paid a supplement at the end) with breathtaking views of the harbour and mountain. It was even better in the morning! The staff were really friendly and went out of their way to make our stay more pleasant. As we went at the beginning of the season it was quiet and we spent many nights at the poolside bar dinking Efes watching the goings on of the harbour. The room we had was of a very high standard with bedding and towels changed daily. We had pushed the 2 single beds together on our first night and from then on, the maids put a double sheet over the 2, creating a double bed, we even came in some days to flower petals sprinkled on the bed! We dined at the buffet only once as there is so many restaurants to choose from (2 weeks was no where near enough to sample them!) and found the food to be really nice and cooked perfectly as well as reasonably priced. My favourite restaurant had to be the one attached to the hotel reception (the owner is called Mario) and served an amazing stone oven cooked naan bread to dip in cheese and garlic butter! Along the harbour strip is the best restaurants in Kalkan who regularly compete with each other! The Aubugine restaurant serve an amazing roasted wild hog! Overall, Kalkan is a beautiful resort and the Pirat sealed the deal for us. I am so pleased I picked this one for our first holiday.

2 readers found this review helpful

The hotel itself gave comfortable accomodation and great food, but I would like to warn families planning to stay at the Pirat Hotel of the Yakamoz bar just behind the hotel, this is a strip club advertising traditional belly dancing.
Otherwise a great holiday.

1 reader found this review helpful

Our stay in Kalkan was by far one of the best holidays to date. The Hotel Pirat is separated into two parts; one with the swimming pool and above the bars, the other is across the street and has a beautiful view of the marina.
Rooms were adequate and have everything you need, as with all hotels in Turkey - basic but pleasant enough. The people, facilities, pool etc were all fine and the buffet for either breakfast or evening meal is low cost and high quality.
Beaches are pebble in Turkey so don’t expect wonders, but the water is warm, extremely clean and if you wander up past the lighthouse, there are a couple yacht clubs with rock jetties to dive off if you dare!
You will not go hungry in Kalkan with over 100 (I have been informed) restaurants for all budgets to suit, the food is divine.
Enjoy Kalkan, you will want to come back, I know I did.

We stayed in the Dionysus Hotel -2 star hotel about 3 years ago, well it was fantastic - at least 3 star in other countries- the hotel - so welcoming - I could not fault it at all. The rooms are simple clean and basic but lets face it we don't stay in the rooms for all our holiday. The staff are brilliant.
Loved Kalkan, in fact we have just booked to go back and this is the first place I have been so excited to go back to. I really can't wait it is so beautiful. We are both vegetarian and had no problem at all in Kalkan - I can't wait to go back.

1 reader found this review helpful

In this age of bland, marbled, homogenised hotel chains, the Pirat is a throwback to the basics of true hospitality that is the mark of a really good as well as memorable hotel. We stayed for two weeks half board and had the best holiday we can remember.
It’s worth specifying a Poolside room when you book to get uninterrupted views of the stunning bay but also minimise the number of steps you’ll have to climb at the end of a hard day’s sunbathing or that late night Turkish Brandy at the Pool Bar. Then again what is this huge fuss about a few steps? You’ll need a little exercise to work off the amazing food!
We stayed for two weeks half board and travelled with our two children aged 12 and 7. Turkish adore children and they were spoilt rotten by the restaurant staff, bar staff and management. The half board deal at the Pirat includes breakfast and dinner; it suited us since restaurant prices in Kalkan can push the budget a bit (they’re a little more expensive than the average in Turkey) – the half board deal offer seemed pretty economic so if you wanted to nip out and check out the many, many restaurants in Kalkan - you won’t lose out.
Breakfasts are basic Mediterranean (lots or olives, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers) with cereals tea, coffee, local bread. Be aware though if you want either fresh orange juice or an omelette, these are chargeable extras – something that is not altogether clear. Supper consists of masses of mezzes, salads and traditional Turkish puds (Baklava, Rice Pudding, Gateaux etc.). Wine is Turkish and good (white is best – the red tastes pretty rough).
If you're vegetarian you won't starve - the salads are amazing (huge choice of local types) and the dishes (mezzes) using local produce like aubergine, peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic all flavoured with fresh herbs and spices.
Friday night is BBQ night where you’ll taste real Shish, Kofte fresh off the charcoal grill. They sometimes have a bit of Turkish dancing plus a bit of belly dancing too.
Rooms are clean, quite basic and include air conditioning (some local hotels offer as an extra), which is vital during the summer. Always good to check this though at the time of booking to be sure. You also have Satellite TV (BBC World only plus some local Turkish channels), en suite bathroom – no fridge/minibar. All of this was fine for us as we spent very little time in the room anyway.
The staff really makes this hotel. They’re charming, helpful (especially Yunus on the front desk), Mehmet in the Restaurant and of course Levent at the Pool bar) and very proactive. Try speaking a little Turkish with them – the odd ‘hello’ (mehrhaba), ‘thank you’ (teshekur edereem), ‘good morning’ (guneydin) takes little effort and really helps the rapport along. Make an effort with them and you’ll find the odd little Turkish Tea or Turkish coffee magically appearing at your elbow after supper.
Kalkan is charming. A few harbour-side bars that are not aware of the concept of 'last orders', more restaurants (all good – Belgin’s Kitchen, Ibo, Ilyadin especially) per head of population than in anywhere else in Turkey apparently.
If you’re after basic souvenirs or a hand made throw, Turkish carpet/kelim, silver jewellery or even a Kurdish Wedding head dress it’s all here. You won’t be hassled to the same extent here as you are in the rest of Turkey – Kalkan is pretty laid back generally.
As the town is a bit of a British enclave, if you take some sterling with you when you go shopping, it increases your bargaining power since inflation in Turkey is pretty bad. Euros work too but not to the same extent in Kalkan. As ever it’s about agreeing a price; the haggling process in Kalkan is very relaxed and done with a smile – well most of the time anyway!
You’ll need to do a bit of hill climbing in Kalkan but then again take it slow, take it easy and walk up through the town and you’ll benefit from a bit of shade as well as a bit of banter with the locals.
If you’re looking for a bit of relaxation then Kalkan will 100% suit – if you want some happening club scene - look elsewhere. Kalkan has so far resisted the club scene and I hope they continue to do so.
Best holiday we’ve had with the children for years.

1 reader found this review helpful

Don't listen to all the negative comments! Just returned from fantastic two weeks at the Pirat and I'm very fussy! Place was spotless and staff could not have been friendlier or more helpful. Bags are not searched and anyway why would you want to bring water in when it's only 2 lire for a big bottle at the bar straight from the fridge with glasses full of ice?!
We were one block back from the pool with a beautiful sea view and it was not noisy at all. Don't worry about your teenage kids. There were lots of Turkish, Dutch and a few English and they were out every night.
Kalkan is the most beautiful place we have ever been to. Food fantastic in each and every restaurant we tried and not more expensive than the rest of Turkey. Try L'Alternative and the newly opened Ali Baba restaurant on the front, you'll be spoilt rotten, especially if you tell them Suzie sent you!
Don't go if you want noisy bars and karaoke, keep Kalkan beautiful.

1 reader found this review helpful

I was a little apprehensive about what lay in store at the Pirat, having read several conflicting reviews the week before we departed. However I cannot fault this hotel in anyway. The room was spotless, air conditioned and a good size for the three of us. There were a lot of steps up to the room, but this should not put anyone off coming to this hotel unless you have mobility problems. There are 3 pools, all very well maintained and ample sun beds. The staff were all friendly and very helpful. several spoke English, and were very amused at my sons attempt to speak Turkish. The banter between them was hilarious. We had breakfast included, and there was ample choice, but we rarely made the 10am deadline.
Kalkan itself is so tranquil. Absolutely beautiful. The cobbled streets are characteristic and picturesque. Restaurants are very clean, and the waiters are just so friendly, they cannot do enough for you. There is no pressure put on you to go into a restaurant, and the approach on the whole was very laid back. There is a bar on the front that is excellent for teenagers/early 20's. Try the market on Thursdays, but be prepared to haggle. They prefer English money at the market, so I do wish I had taken more with me. Also the beach clubs are excellent. The hotel can organise free boat or taxi. Just beware if you have no extreme sport insurance and want to try out the jet skis etc.
Overall this is the perfect holiday if you want to relax, yet keep fit (hills and steps), eat well and be merry. If you prefer to sing Karaoke in an Irish bar and be entertained Butlins style, then this place may not be for you.

I had the most amazing holiday ever in Kalkan. We booked the holiday last minute and were allocation on arrival. We were amazed with the hotel. The staff were all very friendly and we were moved rooms at no extra charge when we asked for a double rather than twin.
Most of the food at the hotel was lovely and very cheap. Breakfast is traditional Mediterranean so may not be to everyone’s tastes. Bars and restaurants were all very cheap.
The locals were all extremely friendly and made us feel really welcome. Make sure you visit Patara beach it has the nicest sand and huge waves. If possible avoid tour excursions and explore on you r own or as we did with a friendly local who was only too happy to show off the area and the mountain village where his family live and work.
I will definitely be returning and if at all possible staying in the Pirat. Enjoy Kalkan while you can, in a few years it might turn out like every other beach resort!