Ersan Exclusive Resort & SPA

An ambience of tranquility permeates the Ersan Resort & Spa. Although popular with families, the property has a smart layout and design that allows for a quieter atmosphere than at other all-inclusive hotels with a similar room count. Its almost 400 rooms are housed in several three-story buildings set on big manicured lawns, and resort amenities are spread out over 17 acres of lovely Mediterranean gardens dotted with palm and olive trees. Large white awnings provide some shade over beautiful wooden decks decorated with white lounge furniture, while stone paths winding through neat patches of grass offer peaceful views of the sea. There is no sandy beach here (they are fairly rare in the rugged Bodrum Peninsula), but a huge wooden deck packed with loungers and straw umbrellas offers direct access to the sea via several metal stairs. There is no loud music being played here, and the vibe is relaxing and inviting. The vibe can be quite different around the main pool in high season, where the lively animation team engages guests in activities such as water polo, dance routines, and aqua Zumba. Reserving loungers with towels can sometimes start pretty early in the morning.Interiors have a serene feel, with a soft earth palette and large windows that bring the outdoors in. The lobby is light and contemporary, with beige laminate floors, lots of wood touches, and a stylish combination of soothing neutral tones and a few darker accents. The centerpiece of the reception area is an airy lounge with a striking tent-like ceiling and a large aquarium teeming with colorful fish. Several crushed velvet couches in beige hues offer seating, and lovely bamboo canes sticking out of wicker vases add some style. The lobby is generally busy but relatively quiet, as it is the only spot in the property where free Wi-Fi is offered, and most guests hanging out there are on their phones or computers. The Marmara Bodrum has more sophisticated rooms and often isn't much pricier, but lacks the Ersan's ocean access. 

The hotel is located in a quiet seafront area home to a couple of other resorts. There aren’t any restaurants, bars, shops or attractions within walking distance, but Bodrum City is just a 10-minute drive away and there is a bus stop right outside the property. The hotel has its own private access to the sea, but guests looking to explore other beaches can find a couple of nice ones within a 15-minute drive of the hotel in either direction. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is a 20-minute drive away, and the Old City of Pedasa can be reached in about 35 minutes by car. The hotel is a 45-minute drive from the airport. 

The hotel has 395 units ranging from Standard Rooms with small balconies to large two-bedroom Family Rooms and Junior Suites with spacious seating areas. Caramel brown accent walls and laminate floors are stylish contemporary touches, but the overall feel is a little bland, with a soft neutral palette and blond wood paneling and furniture. Amenities are a little basic for a hotel in this price point, with smallish flat-screen TVs, minibars stocked only with a couple of juices and a bottle of water, and safes. The vast majority of rooms do not have Internet access, and those that do only pick up the signal from the lobby, which means connectivity is generally spotty and slow. All rooms have tiny balconies with a chair and a small wooden table, and some have serene sea views. Bathrooms are contemporary and appealing, with cute beige tiling throughout and small mosaic tiles in different hues of brown in the shower and toilet areas. Wall-mounted hairdryers and an array of hotel-brand toiletries are provided. Tubs are available in selected rooms only. Junior Suites are a little more stylish than the rooms, with a sleeker metallic gray and brown palette, mood lighting in the bedroom and the bathroom, and spacious seating areas. These units also have a small wooden deck with a whirlpool. 

The hotel is set on over 17 acres of gardens abutting the rocky Bodrum coast. While there is no sandy beach here, the hotel has a huge wooden platform above the water offering easy access to the sea. Hundreds of padded loungers and straw umbrellas are available for sunbathing and relaxing, and a diving center offers motorized and non-motorized sports for a fee. There are also several pools on-site, including a large family-friendly one, a quieter adult-only infinity-edge pool, and a water park with several waterslides for all ages. There is an additional heated indoor pool at the spa, complete with a sauna, a hammam, and indoor and outdoor massage rooms (though there's a fee to access these facilities). The small but airy fitness center is equipped with a few cardio and strength-training machines. The hotel also features tennis and basketball courts, a mini-golf course, and a mini-soccer field. Kids four to 12 years old can take part in the activities held daily at the kids’ club, and the mini disco at night. There is also a games room with video games and ping-pong tables for teens and a playground for toddlers. There are evening shows by the animation team, as well as shows from outside performers at an amphitheater (note that there is no bar here). These might include Turkish folk dances, acrobatic performances, and fire eaters.  The hotel does not offer babysitting services, though. In terms of food, the main buffet restaurant offers a varied spread, though it can get a bit crowded in peak season and it can take a while to get drinks. There are four a la carte restaurants, serving Turkish, Italian, Mexican, and seafood, though they're not always all open (it depends on hotel occupancy) and guests need to line up in the morning to snag a reservation. Drinks at the a la carte restaurants are not included in the rate, and fresh juices, coffee and imported liquors are also extra charges at the hotel’s five on-site bars. The property also offers two meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment, and free on-site parking. Free Wi-Fi is available only in the lobby.