- Turkey Holidays
- Antalya
- Aspen Hotel
The hotel is located in the old town, in an area of the city steeped in a warm, peaceful and friendly atmosphere. Links to the public transport network, the bus station and Hadrianus Gate are all within 1 km from the hotel. Antalya Airport is approximately 12 km away. This air-conditioned city hotel is an example of the architectural style of the Kaleici with all modern conveniences. Renovated in 2007, it comprises a total of 36 rooms on 3 floors. Facilities on offer include a bar and restaurant, and business guests can make use of the conference rooms. Some units offer a stunning view over the beautiful Kaleici Marina and Toros Mountains. All are air- conditioned and come with an en suite bathroom. There is an outdoor swimming pool on-site, complete with sun loungers and parasols.
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
Although the staff were friendly and helpful, this place needs refurbishing. There are many maintenance issues that require attention. There also needs to be more attention to notifying customers that this hotel is not suitable for those with mobility issues. The actual area is lovely. Can really recommend the Nan restaurant at the bottom of the steep cobbled hill. We ate there every night as couldn’t walk very far. Luckily the food and service was excellent. It would have been better and more cost effective if we had gone all inclusive. The difference in price was not very much. Loved Kaleici though.
The Aspen Hotel is well located in the Old Town within easy walking distance of dozens of bars and restaurants (*the former can be problematic; read below). Access to our room required going outside, climbing a flight of stairs and then entering what is basically the second floor of the hotel. The hallway outside those rooms is not air conditioned and is hot, but the AC in our room was powerful.
A serious problem immediately arose. The refrigerator light was hanging down and seemed to be permanently on; the light would be problematic at night as the refrigerator had a glass door. I reached in to try to snap the light back into place and was rewarded with an electric shock; clearly, live exposed terminals were present. I reported the refrigerator as unsafe; it was removed and replaced by a vintage refrigerator.
The next night brought a new electrical problem: the outlets on either side of the bed no longer worked. Another call to the front desk; a circuit breaker was reset with restoration of power. However, that a circuit breaker tripped without explanation was not reassuring. The next day brought another surprise: return of the original refrigerator, light still dangling from the ceiling. It wasn’t plugged in—we still had the vintage refrigerator—but in the absence of repair of the dangling light, it was apparently deemed safe enough to shock the next guest.
The room was snug with limited storage space for suitcases. Our double bed was initially made without a top sheet, just a blanket that was at least 10” narrower than the bed. (We untucked the blanket and rotated it 90 degrees; then it was only 4-5” narrower than the bed. The next day, the bed was made with a top sheet as well as the too-narrow blanket which was a more satisfactory arrangement). Other annoyances: no facial tissue, no plug for the sink, only one trash can, a toilet that continuously audibly dripped. Signing onto the WiFi was remarkably difficult. One’s passport number was required but even the front desk staff was initially unable to sign me on. The breakfast buffet was good but not great; the same could be said about our one buffet dinner at the hotel.
Our room was one that overlooked the pool and was reasonably quiet at night (rooms 201-205). However, rooms 206+ along the front of the building would be at greater risk of problematic street noise from music from the late night bars.
Despite the convenient location, there are simply too many drawbacks for me to recommend this hotel.
Right in the middle of the old town, the positives of the room are outweighed by a pool in need of a shock and multiple cats in the dining room. The room was spacious with decent AC and a good shower. I blanket on the bed, no sheet between you and it so you have to hope it is washed between uses, and it's a bit small for the bed size. The pool was an ok temperature but the water is cloudy so it's obviously not checked and balanced daily as it should be. The worst thing was the cats wandering the indoor, no open doors to the outside, dining room. That is just disgusting. I couldn't eat after realising they were there as who knows if they go near the food, plates or cutlery.
This is our third stay at this little hotel ,the staff are great nothing is to much trouble ,the location is near everything you need for your holiday ,they have a great breakfast ,would recommend to anybody coming to Antalya.
Hotel Aspen is another hotel where the photos don't match reality. This is a tired property in need of some updating. Our room was small and the bathroom was depserate for a redo. The breakfast was servicable but nothing to talk about.
Its best feature is it's location in the Kaleici area of town. It provides easy walking in all directions and is not too far from the airport tram.
Would I stay here again, No.
