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Last Updated on 1 June 2024 by Vanessa

If you’re planning a trip to Dalyan in Turkey, one of the first things you’ll be looking into is accommodation.

For a more intimate and serene experience, you’re in the right place because I have found the perfect holiday spot: Başar Hotel. Just minutes from the center of Dalyan, it’s an oasis of tranquility where you will feel right at home.

The best part, however, is that the hotel cares for the many homeless cats in the area.

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Başar Hotel in Dalyan, Turkey

Review

This is not a sponsored post. I stayed for seven nights at Başar Hotel, so my opinions are, as always, my own and unbiased. Thank you to the management and staff for the good care and service, and to the cats for their purr-fect company.

The accommodation offered in Dalyan is extensive and ranges from convenient family rooms to exclusive riverside lodges and bungalows.

Başar Hotel is right next to the center of Dalyan, making it a good place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of shops, bars and attractions. However, it also caters to those who want a more intimate and tranquil experience.

Unfortunately, many tourists refrain from booking a stay at Başar Hotel because it doesn’t sit in close proximity to the beach. Don’t let this deter you from visiting. Both Başar Hotel and the area itself offer plenty of spots to lounge in the sun, while the famous İztuzu Beach (among the most fantastic beaches in Turkey!) is just a short bus or car ride away.

And to top it off, both Dalyan and Başar Hotel have more cats running around than many major Turkish tourist destinations.

So, what can you expect from this place?

The stay

We stayed at Başar Hotel for seven nights, and we could have stayed a century. The rooms are modern with a simple, natural design. While not extravagant, they’re comfortable, clean, and spacious.

My room overlooked the swimming pool, which was especially nice at night when the pool lits up in purple-blue tones.

I adored the swimming pool area and its bar. The loungers are perfect for a refreshing nap under the sun or enjoying a glass of chilled white wine.

Because it’s a small hotel, with only 34 rooms, it’s never too crowded either.

And look, is that one of the hotel cats jumping on my lounger to come and sleep next to me? Yes, indeed. It’s the purr-fect relaxation therapy.

Restaurant

A shout-out to Başar Hotel’s chef and kitchen staff.

The half-board option came with our Corendon package, so we gave it a try a few times (although we couldn’t resist our favorite Dalyan restaurant, Balikçim, either).

Their food has earned the Corendon Best Hotel Award, and for a hotel buffet, it’s excellent. A simple yet refined selection of local meals, including light salads, soups, wraps, Turkish mezze specialties, and hot dishes. Plus, as a vegetarian, there were more choices than I could have wished for.

Başar Hotel also offers one of the most extensive breakfast menus I’ve seen in a long time. I particularly loved the cook making eggs and pancakes exactly how you like them as well as the option to get a giant glass of freshly-pressed orange juice.

With the food being that good, it’s no wonder so many cats hang around the hotel when dinner rolls around.

The service is excellent, too. The staff is always ready to help out with whatever they can. It’s hard to beat this hotel’s hospitality.

The cats

The hotel owner told me that he has officially taken in two homeless cats. Firstly, there’s the grey and white one, who is constantly lounging around the swimming pool and the bar, demanding head scratches from visitors and claiming his spot on your sun lounger.

Then there’s the “blonde one” (I suppose he means the ginger cat), who tends to appear mainly around breakfast and dinner time but is very at ease with the hotel’s clientele.

During mealtimes, several other free cats from the area show up. They seek scraps from tourists, but they’re not too keen on cuddles. Although these cats are free to roam wherever they please, signs around the restaurant and bar area kindly request visitors not to feed them.

In fact, feeding them isn’t even necessary since the hotel staff leaves all the day’s leftovers for the cats near a feeding station opposite the hotel.

Wouldn’t you agree that a hotel stay is always nicer when there’s a bunch of cats hanging around? Especially if the hotel staff takes good care of them.

Why visit Dalyan?

Dalyan is located in the southwestern part of Turkey, in Muğla Province.

It lies along the Dalyan River, which connects Lake Köyceğiz to the Mediterranean Sea. The town is part of the district of Ortaca and is situated between the much more popular tourist destinations of Marmaris and Fethiye. Contrary to these cities, Dalyan has a reputation for its natural beauty, historical sites, and wildlife conservation efforts.

While it might not be as famous as some of the major tourist hubs like Istanbul, Antalya, or Bodrum, Dalyan is a well-known holiday destination in Turkey, particularly among those who seek a more tranquil and nature-oriented experience.

Key attractions that draw visitors to Dalyan include:

İztuzu Beach: A renowned nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), which attracts both wildlife enthusiasts and beach lovers. It’s just amazing to see these animals swimming around in the sea or being cared for at the turtle hospital.
Lycian rock tombs: Ancient burial chambers carved into the cliffs overlooking the Dalyan River, showcasing remarkable examples of Lycian funerary architecture.
Dalyan River: This scenic river offers views of the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs. Don’t miss the opportunity to go on a boat trip along the river, which, by the way, is very affordable.
Kaunos Ruins: The ancient city of Kaunos with its well-preserved theater, baths, and rock tombs.
Mud baths and thermal springs: Popular spots for relaxation and purported health benefits (And they’re teeming with cats, too!).
Bird watching: Its diverse ecosystems, including the Dalyan Delta and surrounding wetlands, provide habitats for a wide variety of bird species.
Cats, cats, and more cats: As you wander the shopping streets, you’ll find cats perched on window sills, snoozing on the wares of souvenir shops, or observing passersby with a regal air. Down by the banks of the Dalyan River, cats nap under the shade of the riverside cafes’ umbrellas, occasionally stirring to chase a butterfly or beg for a morsel from a kind-hearted tourist. You can read more about why Dalyan is a cat town in our article Why are there so many cats in Dalyan Turkey? The wonderful relationship between the town and its feline residents.

Why you should stay at Başar Hotel in Dalyan

Maybe my enthusiasm gives you an idea, or perhaps the pictures tell the story better than I do. But trust me, staying at Başar Hotel is worth it for countless reasons.

Başar Hotel enabled me to disconnect from my city life and routine in Brussels; it treated me to unforgettable sunsets, delicious flavors, and top-class service, always with a heartfelt smile.

You will reconnect with yourself while discovering a familiar place with heartwarming hospitality. Dalyan has many five-star hotels, but not all will consider you a five-star guest.

Yet, and mostly, they take good care of their cats.

Address

Başar Hotel, Dalyan Şavkar Sok No:26-27, 48840 Ortaca/Muğla, Turkey.

Be sure to book ahead of time to ensure availability!

🔔 Book your stay at Başar Hotel here.

📍Top tour I recommend in Dalyan: Dalyan Mud Bath & Beach Tour

🚘 The best way to get around Dalyan is by car: check rental car rates for Dalyan here.

What I read while staying at Başar hotel in Dalyan: The Cat With Three Passports by CJ Fentiman.

Conclusion

Would you book.a stay at Başar hotel in Dalyan? If so, give those cats a good cuddle, and feel free to share your photos of them with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Pin this review to the fabulous Başar Hotel for your next trip to Dalyan!

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Dalyan, Turkey

Başar Hotel in Dalyan, Turkey