I stayed a week with a delay due to strikes in Greece, I was in Izmir to travel to historic sites in the East central area of Turkey. The Hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. Dinner was very good and inexpensive, the bar was open whenever i went up (on the third floor). I don't speak the language and getting around was a bit confusing the first couple of days. They made sure i got to the right place and paid a fair price.
The room was very clean with service daily. The Internet service was good. I would reccomend the Hotel to anyone, although it is probably suited to business travelers.
The hotel overlooks the Bay and is a short walk to a small shopping mall with an incredible steak house that serves American Steaks.
The Bazarr in Izmir is authentic and amazing and the people were wonderful. I went home with gifts from merchants at the Bazarr. Apparently, they don't see many Americans wandering around Imir!
The hotel exchanged money for me, and i got a better rate than at the airport exchange.
There are banks nearby oin the business district with cash machines and i had no problem finding one that would take my debit cards (one from a British bank and one from an American bank. There many restaurants nearby. Many authentiic Turkish restaurants and sadly, Burgert King and McDonalds. The restaurants along the waterfront are lively, great food, and reasoinable prices.
Flying into Izmir airport, you can get a taxi, bus, or a trin into Izmir. Taxi is about 50L the bus and train are 3L - 5L.
Going through passport control is a simple peocess, you'll need either $20 or 15GBP (must be British Pounds or Dollars) for a Visa stamp.
While the Major cities are served by Air, and train between large cities. once you leave the large cities, it's either bus or car. You can rent cars at the airport, the Major Companies have stands there. Buses are the main transportation to the smaller towns outside the large cities.
The bus stations are large and well organized. The agents for the different bus lines very helpful. The long distance buses have Stewardesses and serve refshments. I had quite an adventure traveling through Turkey every day. It was a lot of fun and everywhere i went people were very nice. Looking foward to returning.