We arrived early morning to Club Kervansaray after a long night's bus ride from Istanbul, and right away the hotel manager was available to help us with luggage and arranging trips to Ephesus and Pamukkale. Unfortunately, I did not get his name, but he was a very kind man who was always available to help us get the travel services to these locations.

Granted, we stayed only one night, and it happened to be "Turkish Night" at the hotel's common area (a gorgeous courtyard where the merchants conducted their trade) - but this only added to the memories of the place. The room was average, but it had exactly what we needed - a bed and AC.

And, finally, the location was right by the Kusadasi bays, and by the pedestrian walkways where we traveled around and had dinner and did some shopping.

Overall, a wonderful experience and we would definitely recommend this hotel.

Erdal and Lisa

Our stay at the Club Kervansaray was arranged by a Turkish travel agent so I did not know what to expect. As we were driven into Kusadasi, I realized we could have stayed in a hotel with a view of the sea. But the Club Kervansaray is a unique look into Kusadasi's past as a stop along the Silk Road. It's central courtyard is an inviting space to enjoy meals and meet friends. The Turkish appetizers, mezes, were delicious, and along with a cold beer on a warm evening, were sufficient for dinner. All the rooms are upstairs. They are comfortable and air-conditioned with the furniture positioned close to the floor. The bathroom was spacious and modern. The shower ran hot, then cold, then hot - something very common in Turkey, because water is heated through coils on the rooftops. The staff was very gracious, and eager to fulfill all our requests from restaurant suggestions to calling a taxi. On our last day, we had to leave very early in the morning and the young man at reception made us a breakfast sandwich to take with us. Tours to Ephesus and Pamukkule are readily available. The seaside restaurants and lovely sea promenade are a short stroll from the hotel. There is a business center (2 computers) available and free to guests. The only downside is that there is no elevator and the steps to the rooms are steep. However, the two young men on staff cheerfully took our bags upstairs. Two or three nights a week there is a "Turkish Night" dinner and entertainment which we were told was not to be missed, but it did not take place on nights we were there. One of the most charming things about the hotel was the presence of our own personal cat. He showed up for every meal, looked very clean, and appreciated the tidbits we provided. In the courtyard there is a demonstration of the making of silk thread and of carpet-weaving, as well as the ever-present carpet shop although no pressure to buy.

We were recommended to this hotel by a travel agent on Samos where we went as our enquiries to another Kusadasi hotel that we were planning to go where not being responded promptly. We wanted a place for three nights in a central location with good amenities to use as a base to explore the area, including a visit to ancient Ephesus. The hotel was as described, a 17th century caravanserai, renovated and remodeled for today’s needs. Rooms were good, bathrooms up to date, the staff helpful, and the large central courtyard where breakfast was served and where one can have a pleasant lunch also, was very attractive. The carpet sellers were very pleasant and not intrusive, once they realized that you were a hotel guest. But unfortunately there was a continuous stream of tourists wandering through the place that detracted from us feeling that we were in a “special”, for us, place.

But it was not until the following night that we started realizing the true nature of the “Karavanesari Hotel”. On our second night, there was a “Turkish night” on, which we did not think that would have had any special appeal to us, so we went out for dinner and came back about 10:30 to find a spectacular show in full swing. We stayed up at the upper floor balcony outside our room and enjoyed the rest of the show, until midnight. But the noise continued until about 1:30 when all cleaning had finished. OK, one night with little sleep, at least, we had seen half a good show without paying for it.

But to out horror, next night there was a children’s party on, that again finished at midnight, with cleaning up going again till 1:30! There were more than 100 people attending, children and mums dancing and screaming, children running along the upper balcony where the rooms were and the amplified noise was excruciating.
When we were leaving next morning we noticed that there were “Turkish nights” scheduled for that same night and the one after.

So, if you are looking for a hotel, Karavanserai is not a hotel, it is an entertainment venue, where they make a bit of money on the side from unsuspecting tourists that are attracted by its location and the dream of sleeping in a traditional 17th century Turkish fort. This may turn out into a sleepless nightmare, depending on the entertainment program of the venue.

We escaped Hotel Rosy at Ladies Beach and were very pleased with the change to Club Caravanserai and for only about 20 lira more per night. Rooms weren't huge but nicely furnished and equipped and bathrooms were quite modern and a big step up from the drenched-room-after-cold-shower experiences of previous hotel. We found the staff very pleasant and accommodating. We didn't notice the street noise at all (and I'm a light sleeper) thanks to the thick walls and recessed windows. Yes, on "Turkish entertainment nights", the music from the show and the take-down after will keep you awake till after midnight but we aren't early-to-bed types anyway. And the carpet-sellers in this state-run hotel were very unobtrusive compared to those in the town shops. There are luxurious resorts at the marina and outside of town but if you want to be in the centre of it all, only a 10-minute dolumus ride to the beach, with a clean and comfortable room and be able to have drinks or breakfast in the Caravanserai's lovely courtyard, this would definitely be my first choice.