Hotel Centro Bodrum

The Hotel Centro Bodrum is a welcoming value hotel with a cozy, low-key vibe. The lobby is small and charming, if not Turkish-feeling, and features a quirky display of objects that include a manual typewriter and old telephone, as well as silkscreens of Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin behind the front desk. Most guests tend to congregate around the pretty outdoor pool, which is surrounded by lush lemon, olive, and orange trees that offer some shade on the pool deck. The hotel is family-owned and operated, and caters mainly to couples and single travelers on a budget. Although the Centro is kid-friendly, there are no facilities aimed at little ones except for a small outdoor playground, and the guest rooms can feel a bit cramped for more than two people. Though it's not party central, local nightlife is within walking distance, as are the beaches and many popular tourist attractions, making this a good choice for guests who want a quiet home base where they can rest and recharge after exploring the area.

The hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood in a labyrinth of interesting streets filled with restaurants, bakeries, and shops. The city center and its restaurants and nightlife are about a 20-minute walk away. There is a supermarket near the hotel entrance. The hotel makes for a good base for guests wishing to explore the area -- the Bodrum Marina is a 10-minute walk away and the nearest beach is about a 15-minute walk, while the historic Myndos Gate is a three-minute walk and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is 15 minutes. Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archeology are about a 10- to 15-minute drive from here. Bodrum-Milas Airport is less than 40 minutes away by car, and the hotel offers airport transfers for a fee. Parking is available for free.

The 40 rooms are small and simply decorated in subtle tones of gray, beige, and brown. Rooms with details such as faint fleur-de-lis-like wallpaper, cheery white furniture, and wooden floors are fresh and attractive, though some have more dated decor and are showing wear and tear. All of the rooms come with ceiling fans and air-conditioning, but there is a daily fee for use of the AC. Additionally, all but ground-floor rooms have balconies with pool or garden views, but note that some balconies are tiny with room for only one chair.Single and Double Standard Rooms have tiny bathrooms with narrow glass shower stalls, while Triple Rooms are furnished with three single beds and feel cramped. Furniture is sparse across the board, as is closet space. Rooms at the front of the hotel may get some traffic noise. Guests who need to use the in-room Wi-Fi should request rooms near the pool, where the signal is strongest. Amenities include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and free minimal toiletries, but there are no in-room safes or minibars, despite the hotel's website claiming so.

The Hotel Centro Bodrum features a central outdoor pool surrounded by orange, lemon, and banana trees and a pool deck lined with sunbeds. There is a poolside bar and restaurant that serves well-reviewed light dishes and Mexican food in a relaxed open-air dining room overlooking the pool. The restaurant offers a children’s menu, and there is an afternoon happy hour. The hotel also offers a free Turkish breakfast, which is simple but sufficient, plus free tea and coffee are available 24 hours a day. There are laundry facilities and a small convenience store for guests. A shuttle to and from the airport can be booked for a surcharge.