Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com
Kalkan Discussion => Holiday Reports and Reviews => Topic started by: Trotter on July 16, 2011, 08:19:35 PM
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We returned a few days ago from our 3rd holiday, spread over 6 years, in Kalkan and having visted this website continuously for most of that time, I decided it was time to make a contribution, little though it is.
Reading the concerns about dogs and discussions about whether Kalkan had changed for the worse then you do wonder but as soon as we glimpsed Kalkan, lying waiting in the sunshine, from the road above we knew all would be well. This feeling was confirmed and enhanced as drove down the town past places we remembered to arrive at the Meldi Hotel. And for anyone booked into the Meldi for the first time we experienced a warm welcome, lovely people-both staff and guests- a good room with sea view and good fresh food-a gem.
The only problem we encountered was that it was a bit hot for us so we did not get out and about as much as usual but the Meldi has a lovely pool and we made good use of it to keep cool. We have previously visited at the end of September\early October when it was a little cooler (only 28-30!) and this probably suits us better.
We did eat out some lunchtimes and every evening and did not encounter a bad meal with special mention to the Cafe Zula ( some of the best fillet steak we have had in Kalkan, which is quite a few), the Merkez for the special Merkez chicken and an oven cooked sea bass with all the trimmings ( this was ONLY 20TL) and to Chillies for wonderful Pide.
As for the previously mentioned concerns the only dogs we met were either asleep or did not bother us except for little fuss and although Kalkan has changed over the time we have visited it is still a lovely village, with a uniique atmosphere set in a beautiful area.
My wife and I do travel elsewhere but the thought of a day out in or around Kalkan, good food and a stroll around the harbour in the evening followed by drink or two at the Moonlight Bar while watching the world goes by dragged us back.
It won't be the last time.
And I did not even mention Efes!
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Lovely report Trotter, thanks, it was great to be there by proxy, so to speak!
Glad you had a good time too.
Who is the Meldi booked through?
I'm missing my Kalkan fix in 2011, as we've been to Kefalonia twice this year and are going again in October. DEFINITELY doing Kalkan in 2012 though!
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I am so glad you had a great holiday and didnt let a small number of very vocal scare mongers put you off.
I enjoyed your report very much.Thank you for taking the trouble to share your holiday memories with us.
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Kefgirl - The Meldi hotel used to be with Tapestry and is now bookable direct - www.meldihotel.com - I (and many others on this forum) can agree with Trotter - it is an absolutely fab place with great staff, owner, guests and food in a great location and good prices....if you are after a hotel holiday - this is amongst the best. You book your own flights and book directly with Fatih or Halil at the Meldi (they speak excellent english) and if you book for 7 days or more - they throw in the transfer costs.
Enjoy!
PS - Please note - I have NO financial interest in the Meldi - just a previous satisfied guest who continues to make use of their facilities. bar and restaurant.
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Dear Trotter - a lovely post :) :) :) :) :) :)
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It sounds as if you had a lovely time. This is just the sort of post that makes me glad I'm off to Kalkan - next week! We've only been once before and so are very keen to hear about great places to go. I can see I'll need to put Merket, Chillies and Cafe Zula on the list... can't wait! Thank you Trotter:)
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what a joy to read your great post !!! Thank you xxxxxxxxxxxx ;D ;D ;D ;D
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We too have just returned from Kalkan and The Meldi. got to agee with everything Trotter said.
We also found the weather to be too hot towards the end and even the parasols did not keep the heat off us. We then come back and now freezing cold,,,,bever satisfied!
No problem with dogs, all of them we saw were on their best behaviour!!!!
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[quote author=Kefgirl link=topic=8183.msg55582#msg55582 date=13108446
I'm missing my Kalkan fix in 2011, as we've been to Kefalonia twice this year and are going again in October. DEFINITELY doing Kalkan in 2012 though!
[/quote]
I think I have asked this before, but where do you stay in Kefalonia?
Chris and Allan.
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We also found the weather to be too hot towards the end and even the parasols did not keep the heat off us. We then come back and now freezing cold,,,,bever satisfied!
I know which I would prefer!! ;) ;)
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Totally agree! The UK weather has been dreadful since we got back and I am still feeling cold,
Our hotel was fully booked this year but in town it was pretty quiet especially down at the harbour, On our last night we went to The Papparazzi and was the only customers there, Not sure if it was because of the heat that people did not want to walk too far, The stretch by Olive Gardens seemed quite busy though.
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Great report Trotter! Can't wait for next year to get back out there, especially with the weather being as it is here at the moment!! Think we'll have to put Merkez on the list for next year also, we also enjoyed Cafe Zula and Chillies when we were there in June.
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Thanks Felicity for the info-very helpful :)
AllanChris, we stay in Lourdas in the Livathos area, it's in the South of the Island. Very small and quiet, we usually see the same people there each time. It's one of those places that call you back. We've been all over the Island, but for us, nothing is as magical as our beloved Lourdas (also sometimes called Lourdata.)
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Who is the Meldi booked through?
Hi Kefgirl, thanks for your kind words.
As Felicity says you can book direct and airport transfers are included in the price but we actually arrived by boat at Marmaris. I had previously e mailed Hamil at the Meldi who said that he could arrange to collect us from the port and deliver us to Dalaman at the end of our stay. There was a small charge due to the extra mileage incurred.
Everything went really well and my wife said that the smile stayed on my face from Marmaris to Kalkan -2.5 hours.
The hotel also laid on a trip-FOC- to Kekova for some guests.
I am now going to try and think of some negative things to say about the Meldi as we want to stay there again and they may be filling up.
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LOL Trotter - think you will struggle to find something negative to say about the Meldi ;) ;) ;D
Oooh - I've thought of something - the tiles round the pool are WAY too hot to walk on...think they should lay water cooled tiles to keep guests happy..!! :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D
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LOL Trotter - think you will struggle to find something negative to say about the Meldi ;) ;) ;D
Oooh - I've thought of something - the tiles round the pool are WAY too hot to walk on...think they should lay water cooled tiles to keep guests happy..!! :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D
Brilliant felicity-I will e mail Halil immediateley, book 2 weeks next september and demand a 15% reduction but don't tell as it may spoil it! >:D ;D
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Great report, Trotter, thanks for sharing. Its good to know after an absence, Kalkan is still charming and unique.
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Really good to hear as I am off to the Meldi for the first time on 22 July! I don't mind how hot it is ... Glad you enjoyed your holidays.
JanB
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Thanks Felicity for the info-very helpful :)
AllanChris, we stay in Lourdas in the Livathos area, it's in the South of the Island. Very small and quiet, we usually see the same people there each time. It's one of those places that call you back. We've been all over the Island, but for us, nothing is as magical as our beloved Lourdas (also sometimes called Lourdata.)
Yes of course I remember now. I did ask you where you stayed before, and I said I stayed in Lourdas at The Lara Hotel. Guess my brain cells are dying at an increasing rate. :o
Cheers, Chris and Allan.