Mandarin Resort

Not to be confused with the five-pearl Mandarin Oriental on the opposite end of the peninsula, the Mandarin Resort is comparatively modest, but well regarded for its enclosed city center location. High walls topped with fencing and a bit of barbed wire separate the property from the city streets. Inside this private enclosure, compact two-story white buildings feature classic Aegean architecture, and are arranged around manicured green spaces. Quiet, shaded lawns have attractive and comfortable hammocks made from arched wooden beams. The main building houses a modern lobby with shiny marble floors and a mix of somewhat older lime green and purple lounge furniture. Other interiors, like the hotel's restaurants, feature fairly chainlike, bland decor, but they're pleasant spaces. The sunlit Cafe Leon has pretty decorative tile flooring paired with wooden tables and patterned chairs, while potted plants add a dose of fresh greenery and large windows overlook the grounds. Tikky bar showcases a more funky style, with electric blue bar stools and futuristic blue lighting overhead. Overall, it's a good choice for both families and couples, offering a varied range of amenities and affordable all-inclusive rates.

The Mandarin Resort is centrally located in Bodrum City, near many dining and drinking options, as well as a number of local shops. The pebbly Bodrum Beach on the Aegean Sea is less than a five-minute walk away. Bodrum City is also home to several major tourist sights, including the medieval Bodrum Castle (a 15-minute walk away) and the site of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus -- one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World -- which is about an eight-minute drive across town (though determined guests could also make the half-hour walk). The ruins of the ancient city of Pedasa can be reached in about 20 minutes by car. Expect a 30-minute drive to Milas–Bodrum Airport.

Housed in numerous two-story buildings, most of the 181 rooms have views of the pool or surrounding gardens, while some of the second story units have city views with a mountain backdrop. All have furnished balconies or patios. The air-conditioned rooms feature bright decor with neutral tones, wood furniture, and spare orange or green accents. The majority of the floors are tiled, but some have wood laminate sections that seem out of place, and yet others have attractive exposed stone walls. It's a simple, pleasantly modern look, even if it's a bit generic. Flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges come standard, along with electric tea kettles, but there are no coffeemakers and the use of safes incurs a fee. Free Wi-Fi is standard, though some guests complain of a weak signal. Most rooms have small vanity desks with stools as well as armchairs and small tables. Some rooms add bunk beds, while Family Suites have separate living rooms with sofa beds. The tiled bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers.

The hotel is centered around a large outdoor with a wide sundeck that has plenty of loungers and umbrellas. There's also a kiddy pool and a hot tub integrated into the main pool. The small indoor lap pool is housed in a room with pastoral wall murals to help make up for the small windows and lack of natural light. For adult pampering, the full-service spa has a sauna and a hammam with blue stone walls and a ceiling painted with clouds fitted with colored lights for a little atmosphere. There's also a small fitness center with a few cardio machines and a bench press. For kids, the hotel has an outdoor playground with slides and playsets, along with a big indoor kids' club with supervised activities. There's also a sand volleyball court tucked between a few of the buildings. The all-inclusive rates cover meals and beverages at the hotel's two main dining options -- an international buffet restaurant that has an adjacent outdoor terrace, and a Turkish a la cart restaurant. There's also snack bar and a hookah cafe with treats like bagels, cakes, and Turkish pizza available all day. The lobby bar has a pool table and there's an underwhelming nightclub that has no regular evening entertainment. A single on-site meeting room can host up to 100 people. Free parking is available, as is free Wi-Fi, but some guests complain of a weak signal.