Marina Vista Hotel

Deceptively understated from the outside -- where the narrow street-facing front entrance gives the impression of a small boutique property -- the Marina Vista Bodrum actually takes up quite a bit of real estate right along the marina. The front end is a two-story building with a classic Mediterranean look and an entrance next to a covered patio. Inside, the cafe's bar has taken over some of the former lobby, which has exposed brick walls and trendy industrial lighting. Beyond here, the hotel rises to three stories and stretches back into the block with a surprisingly large garden courtyard at its center. Tall palm trees line the courtyard, while bougainvillea inches up the walls and Juliette balconies. The majority of guests here are couples, though some families do pass through as well. 

The hotel is centrally located right across the street from Tepecik Cami marina. The street is lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops in both directions, and much of the nightlife for which the city is famous for is within easy walking distance. The city is also home to some major attractions such as Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, and the Antique Theater of Bodrum, all of which can be reached in under 15 minutes on foot. The airport is around a 40-minute drive away.  

Elegant, if a bit frilly, the hotel's 92 rooms feature bright decor with wooden floors and pastel accents. All of the rooms overlook the courtyard pool, while those on the ground floor have small furnished patios that open directly onto it. Rooms on the second and third floors have tiny Juliette balconies. The 72 Standard Rooms -- with twin or double beds -- have small sitting areas with tufted chairs. The flat-screen TVs are tiny and dated. Minibars and free Wi-Fi come standard, but there are no coffeemakers. The bathrooms are tiled in beige stone, with walk-in rainfall showers or shower/tub combos. Some of the bathrooms feel a little dated -- with floral trim on the tiling -- and we spotted some grout that needs replacing when we visited. Suites have posh separate living rooms with bigger wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and some add jetted tubs. Some rooms nearest to the marina might suffer from the high amount of traffic outside, and light sleepers should book accordingly.  

There are a number of features at this hotel, though many of the property's features have undergone significant changes as of mid 2016 -- Oyster will be revisiting soon to check on the status of these upgrades. As is currently stands, the hotel's trendy ground-floor bar has a streetside patio facing the marina, while the rooftop restaurant/bar has both indoor and outdoor seating, but it's open seasonally. Breakfast is included in room rates, but takes place indoors as opposed to with marina views (as it once did) -- hot and cold options are plentiful. The outdoor pool is well isolated from the tourist bustle outside within its garden courtyard. A surprisingly large sundeck surrounds it with loungers and umbrellas, as well as a small kiddy pool. There's also a poolside snack bar in the courtyard that serves drinks and light bites throughout the day (may be limited by seasonal availability). The hotel's wellness facilities include a full-service spa with several treatment rooms, along with a sauna and a steam bath. There's also a small fitness room with a few cardio machines, free weights, and a strength training machine. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.