Yahsi Yalisi, Ortakent, Turkey | (888) 551-4925
Clean rooms with flat-screen TVs; some have private balconies
Outdoor swimming pools with a water slide and lifeguard
Access to the beach with sun loungers
All-inclusive meals and drinks
Turkish spa and small fitness center are nice perks
Evening entertainment provided by staff
Family-friendly rooms including those with bunk beds
Water slide hours are irregular
Charge for Wi-Fi, spa facilities, and fresh beach towels
Restaurants, pools, and beach can get crowded
Showers in some rooms are tiny
Petunya Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl all-inclusive resort on the beach in Yashi. Families love the outdoor swimming pool with a twisting water slide, easy beach access with sun loungers, and all-inclusive meals and drinks. Couples appreciate the on-site spa with a full Turkish bath. Rooms are on the smaller side and bunk beds may be a deal breaker for some, although are convenient for families. There's an extra charge for Wi-Fi and fresh beach towels. In the high season, the hotel gets crowded. Past guests have reported long lines for drinks. Still, prices are often reasonable and the beach is one of the best in the area.
Scene
Beachfront upper-middle-range chain hotel
The lobby inside Petunya Beach Resort is bright and airy. Clusters of white chairs and sofas are centered around a flat-screen TV, a small library of books, and a bar. A royal blue circular settee and huge clock behind the reception desk add interest. Outside, the beach has fine white sand that leads into small pebbles in the clear blue water. It's one of the only sandy beaches in the area and cruise boats dock nearby, which adds to the already crowded scene.
Location
On the beach outside of Bodrum's city center
The resort is built directly on the beach and it's easy to walk along the shore and visit nearby restaurants, shops, and bars. The area feels more like a Turkish village than a tourist destination -- which also draws a lot of tourists. Camel Beach, where camel rides on the beach are available, is nearby. The city center is about five miles from the hotel. Expect a 25-minute drive to the airport.
Rooms
Small and clean
There are 251 rooms at Petunya Beach Resort and none of them really inspire much lingering indoors. While they are clean, there isn't a lot of square footage and family rooms have bunk beds. Flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and mini-fridges are nice touches. Furniture is done in a modern style and walls are painted pastel. Some rooms have tiny balconies with rusted rails. Practical bathrooms include stall (read: tiny) showers and single sinks. Plastic hair dryers are mounted to the wall and basic toiletries are provided. There's a charge for unreliable Wi-Fi.
Features
All-inclusive meals and drinks, a swimming pool with a water slide, and a Turkish spa
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served buffet style with an emphasis on Turkish fare. Liquor and drinks are included with the all-inclusive package, though premium alcohol isn't available. Guests nosh on snacks and drinks by the swimming pool during the day. The à la carte restaurant serves local and international dishes for those who want to eat outside of the all-inclusive hours or booked just a half-board package. Spa facilities include a Turkish bath, sauna, and massage services for an extra fee. The fitness area is just a few machines grouped near the ping-pong table under a palapa. There's an outdoor children's playground and tennis courts.The swimming pool with a water slide is wildly popular and has a lifeguard, but the hours are irregular. A second swimming pool with sun loungers and an adjacent kids' pool is also available. The beach is one of the best in the area, though it gets crowded. Sun loungers and umbrellas are for guest's use. Beach towels are provided at the beginning of the stay and there's a charge to have them washed.Other features include an on-call doctor, resident photographer, and evening entertainment for the whole family.