Izer Hotel & Beach Club

While the driveway into the Izer Hotel & Beach Club is framed in a ritzy combination of gold and white, it leads to the distinctly less assuming entrance of this mid-range hotel complex. The lobby also feels low-key yet pleasant, combining crisp white and natural stone walls with an elegant wrought-iron spiral staircase and lofty floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with sunlight. The all-inclusive hotel also features well-tended but not overly manicured gardens with an impressive array of olive trees, colorful flowers, and tropical plants that are tastefully integrated throughout the grounds. There are two halves to the property -- the quieter hotel area that overlooks the private beach, and the "club" side with music and activities throughout the day. Clientele lean mostly toward families with kids -- comprising a mix of British, French, and Turkish vacationers -- many of whom are return customers. 

This beachfront hotel is located in the picturesque, seaside village of Torba, overlooking a sweeping bay on the northern coast of the Bodrum Peninsula. While there are a few other hotels, small restaurants, and local shops within walking distance, the village is quiet, with little in the way of nightlife -- most guests rarely leave the complex. However, the city of Bodrum -- with its ancient ruins and pretty Old Town -- is just a 15-minute drive, while Milas-Bodrum Airport is around half an hour away by car. Free parking is available at the hotel.

The hotel has 192 air-conditioned rooms and suites, all of which are decorated in bright and breezy styling with simple modern furniture, polished stone floors, and striped fabrics; each also features a signature fish sculpture. All open to furnished balconies or terraces, with either garden views or partial or full sea views. Family Rooms also have separate bedrooms. Standard amenities include mini-fridges (with free arrival soft drinks), and flat-screen TVs (with a few English-language channels including a movie channel and a kids' channel), though no in-room Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are well-maintained, with wall-mounted hairdryers and walk-in showers, but they are solar powered and water may not get very hot. Suites feature separate showers and tubs. 

A buffet breakfast of hot and cold items is served buffet-style in the hotel's main restaurant; there are also a cooked-to-order station for eggs and a spacious terrace overlooking the beach. The all-inclusive plan includes a buffet-style lunch and dinner, and the hotel offers kids' menus and a late-night soup service. Opened in 2013, a smaller a la carte restaurant features themed menus and floor-to-ceiling windows; reservations are required and drinks cost extra. Poolside and snack bars also provide unlimited local drinks and some light bites during the day. Reports suggest that the food is generally very varied and of good quality.

The hotel features an impressive three outdoor pools, one with lively activities, another reserved for quieter relaxation, and a third with two waterslides; all are lined with plentiful lounge chairs and parasols. There's also direct access to the hotel's private coarse-sand beach complete with a jetty and additional lounge chairs. As well as a couple splash pools, children have access to a kids' club and a mini-disco; there are also water sports and a game room with a pool table and a PlayStation for older kids and adults. Grownups can also relax in the spa, which has a Turkish bath, an indoor pool, sauna, and massage treatments, or get a workout in the small gym. Evening entertainment comes in the form of live music and fire shows (which can be noisy until late).