| Mike Cushman (24.10.2011 16:08) |
| ?A warm welcome and a great stay?
This was our second visit because we enjoyed our stay so much last year.
The cottages are very well equipped, tastefully and comfortably furnished, and spacious. There is a good sized pool to relax by when you are not out visiting the many interesting historical sights or wonderful sandy and deserted beaches within an easy drive.
The cottages are 7 km inland from Kalkan and up in the hills so it is much quieter and cooler than the town,
The kitchen in the cottage is well equipped and there is a generous welcome pack when you arrive, fruit, wine, bread, eggs, tea, milk, jam, butter, honey, cheese, yoghurt etc. And you can pick your own fruit from the many trees in the beautiful gardens.
If you don't feel like doing your own cooking every day (not a chore as there is so much delicious local produce to try) then Mubarra owns the restaurant 100m away where you can eat well and cheaply - it cost us £35 for two including lots to drink and a good tip for the excellent staff.
Anything we asked from Mubarra from the loan of a beach umbrella to a spare remote for the aircon when we couldn't find ours was provided with friendliness, speed and enthusiasm. She never regarded any request as too difficult or unreasonable. |
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| Jela Stewart (24.10.2011 16:15) |
| Brilliant family holiday?
We rented two cottages from muberra
for two weeks . 12 of us in total including 6 children aged from 5 to 20.
The whole thing went like clockwork. Muberra
is easy to deal with and answers questions professionally and promptly - nothing was too much trouble. She arrnged pick from the airport and all of our transfers and car hire for the fortnight, it could not have been easier. The cars were delivered to the cottages firts thing in the morning and all transfers were done in aircondtioned mini buses with uniformed drivers whose driving was exemplary.
You definately need to hire cars to get down to Kalkan - about 10 mins down the hill but not a drive for the faint hearted.Taxis back home at night are plentiful and well run.
Cottages were spotless and well equipped and the pool area well maintained.. Cottages are serviced daily by the two girls and this was a real bonus.Considering there are 6 cottages you get a lot of privacy . The grounds with the numerous fruit trees and vines were lovely and the shade was very welcome.
Kalkan was so hot it was lovely to go back up the mountains where it was at least 5 degrees cooler .
The restaurant is great just across the road and Muberras sister and family are lovely . we ate there about 7 times during our stay. Lovely fresh homemade food in a stunning setting with great views.
I choose this location for the 3 families and everyone was delighted. We hope to go back one day. |
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| Dereek (03.08.2010 20:27) |
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I just love this place for the quiet, the beauty and the individuality of the houses. The gardens are lovely and lovingly maintained, the pool is bigger than you'd expect and the service is second to none. Muberra the owner is married to a stubborn man and between them they have maintained traditional Turkish hospitality which puts service before money. Kalkan is a lovely place, but all the properties are all the same and not that well built or furnished. Kleo is a solid stone construction and the furniture is traditional not Ikea's latest. It is comfortable but in no way flashy. Everything works from the dishwasher to the wi fi, to the hot water, but it has a traditional feel to it. I cook and found the kitchen a little ill equipped, but a word to the owner Muberra brought me everything I needed and we had some splendid meals on our terrace as well as Muberra's restaurant. Islamlar is quiet and uncrowded, there are shops and restaurants near bye, and a great little Sunday Market at Akabel where the produce is fresher and cheaper than in town. The people are simple and love to try out their English so be patient and speak slowly. Muberra and her husband are the essence of discretion, always there when you need them, but never pushy or interfering and they have good contacts for things like car hire, Turkish baths and beauty treatment. The girls who do the cleaning are a joy and daily cleaning is a luxury. For a traditional peaceful holiday away from the hustle and bustle, but still close enough to enjoy it when you want to you can't beat Kleo. The beach is a short drive, and Patara and Kabatash are worth the effort. Kalkan bay is crowded and the fresh water streams can make it cold. Kalkan restaurants, for traditional food Cati turn left at Tesko can't be beaten and the B B Q restaurant opposite Tesko isn't bad. For great food, Turkish/ International, from a smoothie to a posh dinner try the Aubergine in the port, expensive,but still much cheaper than England and worth it. We had Chicken Kebabs in Akbel. Kleo has non of the bustle or commercialism of Kalkan, which is a ten minute drive away should you want or need it. ATM's and shops and the Tailor Ramazan who is Savile Row Quality and remarkably cheap for mens and womens cloths and Linen Suits. Take something for him to copy! Prices are hard to beleive.
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| Bryce McKenzie-Smith (25.06.2010 09:18) |
| I have just spent a week with a friend in one of the Kleo Cottages villas. The villa was spacious, clean and well-furnished, with plenty of hot water. The view from the terrace down the hill to Kalkan and the bay was glorious; the view up the hill to Islamar village was a delight, with its many trees and a minaret.
We had the best of both worlds: days in sophisticated yet unspoilt, beautiful Kalkan below, with its many superb restaurants and bars; and, just as enjoyable but different, the mile-long walk up to Islamar village, passing many simple homes - friendly people, goats, sheep, the constant sound of the water running down the hill, and several good restaurants, especially the one next to the water-mill.
The proprietors of the site, Muberra and Selahattin Dernek, are genuine, kind, charming people. My week at the villa exceeded expectations considerably. |
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| Nickboy Caversham (25.06.2010 09:32) |
| We had a super family holiday at Kleo cottages. The property was spotlessly clean and kept that way(despite our best efforts) for the fortnight we were there.Muberra and her staff were very friendly and the pool was maintained to a very high standard. There was usually some point of the day when we got the pool to ourselves. On occasions a few more sun loungers might have been good or even a shady table and chairs by the pool. However there are lots of other shady spots in the garden and the house was also always a cool haven. There are a few restaraunts within walking distance - all very good and ver reasonable - much cheaper and better quality than the ones in Kalkan. We had a good evening at the Turkish night at a local restaurant and they are always happy to do a deal. Having a car is essential to get to beaches and to explore - visiting ruins in the evening is good . The family really enjoyed trip to Sallikent gorge - seems really touristy at first but persevere and make your way as far as you can up the gorge quite demanding but lots of scrambling up and over rocks with the help of local guides who 'adopt' you along the way .
I would certainly recommend this property for a quiet family holiday. |
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| gosgutho Sheffield (25.06.2010 09:13) |
| We've holidayed in Turkey four times, all in self-catering villa-style accommodation with shared pools, and enjoyed each stay tremendously. Kleo Cottages is our favourite of the four. The grounds are beautiful with fruit trees at every turn. If you make it there be sure to sample a peach or two, they are the best I've ever tasted.
The villa was extremely comfortable and well equipped - a home from home. All the rooms are spacious and air conditioned, including the main living area - a godsend in the heat of August. The property was clean and well maintained. All the appliances were good quality and in working order and there were plenty of glasses and crockery. The dishwasher is a must. Best to take some dishwasher tablets with you if you're not going to make it into Kalkan within the first day. We made good use of the TV and DVD player. There aren't many English channels available but we watched a few films that we'd brought with us.
Our kids are good at keeping themselves entertained and would have happily spent most days in the pool but I'd recommend taking a few games etc to help out in the evenings.
Muberra is lovely - helpful and approachable when you need her but happy to sit back and let you enjoy your holiday without being disturbed. Mubearra sorted out car hire for us cheaper than we could have oursleves and the airport transfers she arranged went without a hitch. Easy peasy.
Kalkan has plenty of good restaurants to chose from. We're all vegetarian and had no problems finding a variety of tasty and good value eateries. For a more up-market evening out head down to the harbour.
If you enjoy quiet, laid back holidays in green settings then this is the place for you. If you prefer night clubs and bars then head to Marmaris. Kleo Cottages = serene, chilled, beautiful.... bliss :-) |
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| Peter Belchamber (25.06.2010 08:28) |
| I have visited Kleo Cottages on three occasions and found the village location and its charming setting in the wooded hills above Kalkan very appealing. The cool breeze is very refreshing in the heat of the day.
The stone and hardwood villas are well laid out in attractive landscaped gardens and provide privacy and quiet. They are spacious and cool with efficient air-conditioning and constant hot water. I enjoyed breakfast on the ground floor terrace and evening drinks on the upper terrace before a short stroll down to their nearby restaurant. This has a lovely covered terrace with views over the surrounding hills and woodland. They will also deliver delicious food to your villa if you wish.
The owner's wife Muberra and her team are welcoming and hospitable and the villas are well-cared for and clean. The pool is in an attractive setting surrounded by gardens and the nearby covered bar is a good place to meet for a lunchtime or evening drink. I warmly recommend it as an attractive and peaceful place to stay with lively Kalkan only a 15-minute drive away. |
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