We've just returned from a week at Ece and are already trying to work out when we can go back!
The hotel itself - the island setting is beautiful, both peaceful and secluded but with all the life and facilities you could want within easy reach. There are lots of places to sit or lie, both by the sea and in the gardens. I think I counted more than twice as many sunbeds as there were guests - so there's always a choice of somewhere nice to sit and no getting up at 7am to put your towel on a sunbed! The gardens are beautifully kept, there is a lovely bar area and the pool area is also excellent and very clean. There are a lot of steps up from the beach area to the main hotel buildings, and also an uphill walk from the boat jetty on the other side of the island, but these just helped us feel like we'd earned our dinner! The hotel boat goes to Fethiye (or can detour to Calis) at set times every day if you want to explore a little further, although we spent a lot of time wandering round the island, swimming in the sea or canoeing - we didn't feel the need to venture very far most of the time!
The room - we were in Kartal, on the top floor and felt like we'd hit the jackpot with our enormous picture windows opening out onto the large balcony. Furnishing is simple but comfortable, and everything was impeccably clean. There is a minibar and also tea/coffee facilities.
Food - The dining area is outside, which presented a few issues when we had four days of thunderstorms! We all crammed into the small indoor space, which was cosy but led to some great fun and camaraderie amongst the guests. The food itself was excellent. We had the set Turkish menu for five evenings - these were very large but a good way to try lots of different things. You can book this at breakfast, or just choose from the a la carte menu. Some people on here have complained about high prices but we thought everything was very reasonable, especially given the special setting and the fact everything needs to be brought to the island by boat. Wine started at 35TL, a big bottle of water was 3TL and a large Efes was 6.5TL. I can also highly recommend Osman's mojitos! You can take the boat to Fethiye in the evening but we never did as the food at Ece was so good and the atmosphere so pleasant. Others have also complained about the cost of lunches, but again, we found them to be very reasonable and of excellent quality.
Staff - I can't speak highly enough of the staff. Osman seems to never sleep as he's always on hand to look after your every need. Handan, the owner, is also always around and very obliging. The other staff were all also exceptional.
Exclusive Escapes - words can't describe the excellence of the service this company provides. We always felt as though our holiday was important to them, and every single detail worked like clockwork. We went on a trip they organised to Saklikent Gorge and Pinara, and felt like VIPs all day. The rep, Jaz, was fantastic - never 'in your face' and no pressure selling of trips, just friendly, expert advice on how to make the most of our holiday. At one point she really went out of her way for us and we will be writing to EE to sing her praises.
The whole experience exceeded our expectations in every way.
- Ece Boutique Fethiye
