The Pine Hill Hotel & Suites

The family-run Pine Hill is a cut above area hotels thanks to its superb setting, array of features, and Sonny, the owner, who often checks in with guests. Sonny started the hotel (known then as the Holiday Pension) in 1984 and catered to backpackers. Since then, they have turned it into one of the most beloved resorts on the coast. The property has white-stucco buildings with red clay-tiled roofs that are typical of the local style, plus landscaped grounds filled with fruit trees, cacti, and stone pathways. The modern design utilizes lots of neutral tones and natural elements such as wood and stone. Despite the two separate pool areas -- one with a swim-up bar -- and nightly entertainment at the cocktail bar, the vibe remains peaceful and relaxing. Guests, mostly couples from Europe, will find both European touches (cappuccino and English breakfast) and traditional Turkish experiences (kebabs and hammam at the spa). 

The Pine Hill has a lovely setting in Hisaronu village, surrounded by the Babadag mountains. In addition to those on-site, there are restaurants and bars located along the main strip just a two-minute walk away. Despite this, noise isn't an issue. It’s a 15-minute drive (or ride on the free shuttle) to Oludeniz Beach -- also known as Blue Lagoon -- reputed to be the most beautiful beach in Turkey. For a bird’s-eye view, there are many paragliding companies in town, as Oludeniz is considered a premier paragliding spot. For those who want to keep their feet on the ground, Fethiye has highly rated beaches, a castle, and ruins; it’s a 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel. The Dalaman Airport is a little over an hour’s drive away, and the hotel has airport transportation available for a fee. 

The Pine Hill has 83 rooms decorated in a stylish neutral-tone palette of white furniture, wooden floors, and tan or white bedding. Certain rooms have charming details such as floral-patterned wallpaper behind beds, circle windows, and origami-shaped towels with flower petals adorning them. All rooms have balconies that are either private (walled) or non-private (wrought-iron), but most are tiny. Past guests have complained of small standard rooms, but upgraded options are more spacious and include studios, suites, and one villa. Rooms with kitchenettes have toasters, stovetops, microwaves, and some dishware, which is sufficient for preparing small meals.  All rooms have mini-fridges, bottled water, and coffee- and tea-making facilities, as well as flat-screen TVs. Wi-Fi is only available in public spaces and rooms near those areas. Straightforward bathrooms have walk-in showers, free toiletries, and hairdryers. A few rooms have jetted tubs in bathrooms or on the balconies.

Despite Pine Hill's relatively small size, it packs a ton of top-notch amenities that make it stand out from other hotels in the area. Guests particularly rave about the quality and quantity of food served in the two on-site restaurants. A delicious Turkish breakfast is included in room rates, while a full English breakfast, along with an extensive international a la carte menu, is available all day long in the Pine Hill Restaurant. Its weekly barbecue night is reportedly not be missed. The Reef Bar and Bistro Club provides seafood, including raw sushi, but also offers plenty of choices for herbivores and carnivores during lunch and dinner. It also has nightly entertainment such as dancing or karaoke. The poolside Chill Bar and Pool is open from morning until late, but the area and its pool is exclusive to paying guests -- the fee paid acts as a credit for food or beverages. The Lounge Bar is another choice for eating alfresco, albeit under a thatched roof. Leisure-wise, there's a pool area open to all guests, featuring one main pool and an adjacent kiddy pool. The deck is lined with plush cushioned loungers and white umbrellas. A menu of entertainment is posted by the pool and the weekly quiz night is a fan favorite. The Coco Spa & Wellness offers a variety of treatments, a Turkish hammam, and a sauna. There is no gym, however. Wi-Fi is free around the public spaces and can be reached in adjacent rooms.