Kimkim Trip Reviews for Turkey

Great location to restaurants and interesting parts of Istanbul.

Incredible place! Luxury in a cave with fabulous restaurants!

A bit quirky and cozy with amazing breakfast! This was, surprisingly, one of the favorite places we stayed.

A fun experience to swim in the thermal pool. The hotel is good, but not particularly special.

Not a great value, is the only location that I would not repeat.

Location, uniqueness of the hotel, breakfast quality and service staff, good value hotel

Not easy to get in, but the hotel is a gem, the rooms, furniture and views makes this a very likable hotel, romantic with excellent food especially dinner and breakfast.

Nicely located, modern construction, nicely done. Rooms could be a bit noisy, food just average. Very good spa and massages.

Location is great, room is ample and comfortable. The day left there was no electricity and elevator not working, had to bring down baggage’s on my own.

Absolutely beautiful, great location, fantastic breakfast

Very unique boutique hotel obviously built with love and run by excellent staff. The terrace house was beautiful, and the tower house 3 room was fine, a little small for 3 people. There was a lot of work being done around the property given that it was the off season. Restaurant was amazing and the cooking class was a lot of fun! The hotel is not meant for people who don't like cobblestones or stairs.

Such a unique experience, staff did an excellent job mitigating some cleanliness concerns in one of the rooms, rooms are dark but that is to be expected, hotel facilities are very nice (Turkish bath, terrace). Some minor flaws, nail in the wood on the bed sticking out, dogs were somewhat agressive coming in late at night, dirt from the cave ceiling falling down).

A must do in Istanbul.

Very authentic

We enjoyed the Ceramics experience; amazing work and it was fun that Connor got to try it. We did not do the hiking in the Love Valley due to timing and physical constraints.

Excellent overview of Istanbul and you hit the high points of the Old Town!

Surprisingly good for kids.

Flawless - must do

Beautiful

I didn't really find this worthwhile. We only visited the church and it didn't seem particularly special.

Amazing

Very interesting experience and the boat was great!

Beautiful and great speed for my in-laws. The stop for pancakes along the river was fun.

Would recommend doing this earlier in the trip.

Can't miss.

Amazing - recommend including visiting the Dark Church in the price

Very nice, only snafu was over who was paying for it, but it was worked out.

Very interesting rooms. The breakfast is amazing. And cats!

Charming character-filled hotel. Absolutely brilliant breakfast.

Goreme is an intriguing place. The natural formations are extraordinary.

Very pleasant time. A nice way to watch the sunset.

It’s balloons. It’s Cappadocia!

Recital hotel is conveniently located in the center of the historical part of Istanbul. Room was somewhat dated, but had very nice view from the balcony. There is also a rooftop terrace with nice view but no service there. There were big groups staying in the hotel and it was rather noisy in the evening. Good breakfast. Friendly staff.

We really liked this small hotel. It has the best location in Uchishar and a lot of character. Wonderful breakfast and very friendly and helpful staff. Room was rather small, but there are many nice seating areas available in the hotel.

It was interesting to see this busy place.

It was great to explore these amazing sites with our guide Erdem. He made it possible to see all the major places despite the crowds, he gave us a lot of historical facts and stories.

Unfortunately several places we were supposed to visit were closed for different reasons. The views from Galata tour were worth standing in line.

It was beautiful day and crossing on a ferry boat was enjoyable.

This is an amazing experience. It was one of the reasons we wanted to go to Cappadoccia and it did not disappointed.

It is very crowded but our guide Irfun was able to navigate us around crowds, gave us a lot of hiostorical information but also time to explore.

The hotel was perfectly located for me... in the center of the old city, within walking distance of everything. The concierge was very helpful. The room was simple and clean. Quiet. Very small but adequate bathroom. No view. Nothing fancy. My only complaint would be that the breakfast buffet offerings, the hot dishes were never kept hot... luke warm at best, even straight out of the kitchen. An easy fix, it would seem.

The hotel, while very nice, and I was put into an enormous suite, which felt uncomfortably large... just felt odd and not to my taste. It is a large, all-inclusive resort kind of hotel that's seemed tailored to what I perceive as Eastern European and Russian sensibilities. I prefer a more personal boutique hotel. I swim daily when at home-- lap swimming... the hotel did have a spectacular pool that was a godsend at that point of the trip. But weird rules about opening hours... and one had to go down two floors beneath the pool to the health club to get a towel to use the pool-- then go back up two floors. Why no towels at the pool? A rather anemic "nightclub" by the pool where no one was there. A grotesquely large, too brightly lit dining hall really-- not even a buffet. Just seemed to cater to a different kind of traveller. I was only there overnight.

Perfect location, lovely sea view room... but no elevator. It was a good seven flights from the street to my room on the top floor. When I checked in, the manager asked if i would like to be on the top floor-- "It's the best room." "Well, you're the one who will have to carry my duffle bag up all those stairs!" As it was the top floor, it felt a little like an attic space that had a pitched roof. Some of the groins of the roof are very low, and I hit my head several times going to the toilet in the middle of the night. Very small bath. But kind staff and a sweet kind of charm about the place. The scale of the hotel, much more to my liking, and I loved swimming in the Mediterranean right outside my door.

Not unlike the Ramada in Anatolia, but with more design sense and style. An all-inclusive resort type of hotel, not to my taste. Hatice explained there were no other options. The buffet dining experience was obnoxious. I felt like I did when traveling in the former Soviet Union-- they were simply not set-up to accommodate individual travellers. I did enjoy the hot mineral pool! But my experience of the place was disappointing.

A stopover hotel. Stylish, smart, not overwhelming, but a business hotel-- no place to walk about for local culture. A commercial district. But absolutely fine for what it was , a stopover. Felt a bit like staying at a nice airport hotel.

I will dream of this hotel forever. Perfection, top to bottom-- (well, near perfect-- I would've loved a fridge in the room There was cabinet for one but none there.) Staff was warm, kind, helpful, personable, even playful. The place is beyond charming. I could not get enough of the garden. Sat out there every chance I could. Would have preferred a hot dish for breakfast, but in that garden, I almost didn't care. Yet when i made that comment to Hatice, the next morning the very kind waiter, Recep, brought me a sizzling skillet of Turkish eggs! That's how to do it. HIGHLY recommend it! And a perfect way to close my trip. I hated to leave. The only hotel on the trip that felt like the experience of the hotel was part of the journey.

This was a surprise highlight of my trip. The mosque, although small and off the beaten path, provided a serene and intimate experience that was deeply moving. I relished the opportunity to meditate within its quiet confines.

This was an unexpected joy. The Hittite monument, although remote and without the usual trappings of a tourist spot, offered a unique experience of discovery and intimacy. Engaging in conversation with local families added to the charm of this ancient site.

This hike was an absolute delight. It was just me and my guide, which allowed for a personal and enriching experience. The conversations we shared were as memorable as the hike itself.

A deeply contemplative and serene experience. The ceremony was a perfect way to wind down after a long day, and I appreciated having the opportunity to be present and reflective during the ceremony.

So nice to be out of the big city and into a small town. The Havuzlu Asmazlar Mansion was beautiful and full of history.

This was amazingly wonderful! The ambiance was heavenly, high domed ceilings, warm marble slabs, beautiful aromas. The attendant made me feel comfortable immediately with the whole experience. Didn’t take long to get past all shapes and sizes of nakedness. I simply relaxed and enjoyed the pampering. It’s definitely worth splurging to get the whole experience including clay body mask, bubble cleanse, body massage. The fruit drink was a refreshing new taste. And the olives and fruit were perfect. Can’t imagine a better experience than this historical Hammam of Hürrem Sultan.

Was interesting to see the artisans at work, making and painting the ceramics . Their work was beautiful but well beyond our budget. Gave us an appreciation for the amazing quality of their work though.

Was a fascinating experience to wander through the caves and to imagine that people actually lived here. If your husband played college football and has broad shoulders and bad knees, you might want to rethink this one though!

The Bozdag television series is the whole reason that I became interested in Turkey. Was fascinated by the history of the Ottoman Empire and wanted to visit all of the historical sites. I was elated to find out that the film studio had opened to the public. Was even happier to learn that some of the actors were there on the weekends. I was not disappointed. Got to take photos with Günkut Alp from Ertugrul! So magical ! The live show in the afternoon was great! Do NOT miss it! I’m back home now and watching the final season of OSMAN. So much fun to see some of the scenes that were filmed on the sets that I had just visited.

We felt quite special being invited into the private home of Udo Hirsch. His passion for making wine was evident from the moment we began our tour. Was incredible to visit the cellars where his wine fermented naturally in containers that were centuries old. Then we were warmly welcomed to his table to taste several of his red and white selections. Friends and family were present. We were made to feel like family as we sipped wine and enjoyed homemade goat cheese, olives and fruit and bread.

I chose to go to Safranbolu to stay in one of the centuries old houses. The Havuzlu Asmazlar Mansion was a lovely place. Our corner room at the top of the beautiful wooden stairway was very spacious. Bathroom was small, but I simply stored extra items in the little cupboard just outside the bathroom door. The cushioned sofas that filled the room were the perfect place to relax in the evening. The bed was large and comfortable. A short walk around the corner took us to a cute little outdoor restaurant. Food was good and we loved the companionship of one of the local kittens. Breakfast in the morning was a feast. It was served in the room containing a dipping pool. Soothing to listen to the softly flowing water from the fountains.

Another can’t miss experience! Our pilot was amazing and there were only 16 of us in a basket that fit 20. Simply magical and serene to float above the spectacular scenery. Crew made us feel completely safe from take off to landing. Woke up early the following morning to watch more than one hundred balloons floating by our hotel. The Kelebek Special Cave Hotel was a magical place to stay. I won’t even try to describe it . Please see our photos.

Great location and very quiet. Nice bar and upscale restaurant upstairs. They'll do laundry -- but it's spendy (we were desperate!) Excellent breakfast, comfy bed -- perfect, all the way around.

Very few people were staying here so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Beautiful area. We had a wine tasting and ate dinner there that night - great food. Also the small adjacent museum is worth a look.

Very cute, friendly hotel. I would not recommend for anyone with mobility issues as there were a lot of stone steps! Beautiful terrace with sunset views. We had a simple pasta dinner and a bottle of wine - very enjoyable. Watched the distant lightening as the sky grew dark.

I'm so glad Berat booked us here. It's at the far end of the village on a rather rough road but worth it. Enjoyed dining there two nights -- beautiful terrace and nice breakfast, too. I wouldn't recommend for folks with mobility issues as the road is a bit rough and uphill. Fun to walk through the shops and lanes below the hotel.

Our guide gave us an amazing history lesson when he met us at our hotel the first day -- a review of Ottoman and pre-Ottoman Empire history that we really appreciated as it put everything in perspective. We did the mosques and the Topkapi Palace on a Sunday and the city was really busy and crowded. Having a guide made a difference! Istanbul is amazing.

We walked all over! Having Volkan (our guide) with just me and Connelly made this a really fun -- and efficient day. We especially enjoyed a local farmer's market. Spices cost less there than at the bigger Spice market. Our trip on the Bosphorus was fun, too. Another way to see the city -- by water.

I was really curious about this strategic area of the world -- and the battles fought there during WWI. The memorials and views are great and our guide did a great job of providing background and context.

The hotel staff was so helpful and friendly. The hotel itself is beautiful and a true Cappadocia experience. Breakfast was yummy!

We would stay there again but Istanbul is a city that never sleeps so it was a bit noisy at night.

We used this hotel because it is "close" to the airport and we had an early flight the next morning. Everything was clean and the staff was friendly. We really appreciated that there was a full service restaurant on the premise.

MUST experience this unique site.

We have been up in balloons before yet never experienced the large basket style. It was fun to go up with Americans, Spaniards and a group from Poland.

Going with a local guide - especially Ibrahim that has lived in Istanbul all his life - made the site's history come alive. He showed us places a tourist on their own might not know about. And we were able to navigate the crowds with ease.

Istanbul is soo big that the boat ride helps you see things that would otherwise take too much time to see via land. It is a nice respite from all the walking. Grab a bite to eat from one of the many nice restaurants under the bridge. The food is good and you start to get a feel for how busy the waterway actually is.

The crossing gave us the opportunity to get away from the tourist attractions and see how locals live.

I wanted to go here to ensure seeing the city in its entirety (not possible). It wasn't spellbinding like I thought it would be. The structure itself is more of the attraction.

It has taken abuse over the years from people defacing the structures. Still, the history is worth knowing. I'm glad it is now being preserved.

Their work is extremely nice and, while the designs/shapes are basically the same whatever place you wish to buy, it is very apparent their work is superior. I only gave it 4 stars because I didn't know there would be such an emphasis on making a purchase. Same for the carpet place we visited. When you are young you want to buy items. When you are old like me, you are trying to get rid of your stuff - not add to it.

What a hoot! Loved Ina. In true Turkish tradition, we made lots of food and then she had prepared even more food to share. Seriously, we were stuffed!!

The hot air balloon sunrise is a must see in Cappadocia.

Incredible location, comfortable rooms, wonderful breakfast buffet and a delightful outdoor garden bar/lounge. We did not use the spa but it looked awesome. The staff was pleasant and responsive. We will gladly return.

A truly magical experience in a magical place

A treasure well preserved! Highly recommend with a quality guide like Ozan Tokcan who brought history to life!

Such a unique spot! The history and ingenuity of the people past is amazing to see!

We were graced by the top 3 subsets of my life. Surreal!