The Erzurum Hotel Erzurum Turkey

Erzurum's BEST Hotel? This Hidden Gem Will SHOCK You!

Okay, buckle up, because you're about to hear the REAL dirt – and the shimmering gold – on Erzurum's "BEST Hotel." Forget the PR fluff. This isn't a boring tourist brochure. We're diving headfirst into the messy, imperfect, wonderfully surprising world of a hotel that claimed to be a hidden gem and, well… let's just say it had me questioning EVERYTHING.

First off, the name… Okay, I've been asked to leave it out. (It's secret, like a password, for a reason, and also I don't feel like getting sued.) But trust me, once you find it, you’ll be saying, “Whoa.”

Accessibility: The Starting Point (Where It Got Tricky)

Okay, accessibility. This is the absolute foundation for a place wanting to call itself "Best." And… it was a mixed bag.

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, but with a caveat. The main areas – lobby, restaurants – were generally good. Ramps, elevators… decent. BUT (and this is a BIG but), some hallways felt a little… tight. Turns were close. So, while technically accessible, it felt like a bit of a navigating challenge. This needs a serious check-up.
Elevator: Yes, obviously. Essential. Worked. No complaints there.
Facilities for Disabled Guests: They claim to have them. I saw some evidence (grab bars in a room I peeked into), but I didn't experience the complete, detailed accessibility a truly top-tier place should offer. This is another area needing significant improvement.
Getting Around: The hotel itself was navigable, but getting to the hotel? Taxi service readily available, but navigating Erzurum at large, with its streets and sidewalks, requires a bit of stamina.
Accessibility (Overall Impression): Okay-ish, definitely NOT the shining beacon of inclusivity some might assume. Improvement NEEDED.

Cleanliness and Safety: The Germaphobe's Verdict (Spoiler: I'm One)

Okay, this is HUGE for me. In the current climate, a hotel that doesn't prioritize CLEANLINESS is a dealbreaker. And I was cautiously… impressed.

Anti-viral cleaning products: They said they used them. I didn't exactly run a lab test, but the place smelled clean, not like a hospital, thank goodness.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes, definitely saw evidence of this. Staff continually wiping down surfaces. Good.
Rooms sanitized between stays: Allegedly yes, but this is impossible to verify. I assume they did what they said but take it with a grain of salt.
Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Which, again, is crucial.
Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed like they knew what they were doing. Masks worn properly, etc.
Safe dining setup: More on that below.
Hygiene certification: I didn't see official certification, which is a strike, but the overall vibe was clean.
Room sanitization opt-out available: I didn't ask, but a good idea!
Cashless payment service: Yesss! Essential.

My Cleanliness Verdict: Above average. Not perfect, but they clearly put in the effort. Made me feel decently safe.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Where the Food, and My Judgement, Really Kicked In

Okay, this is where it got interesting. Erzurum isn't exactly known for its Michelin stars, but… the hotel made a serious effort, or so it seemed.

Restaurants: Plural! This was a good start. I swear, some hotels only have one bland option. This place had… several.
Western Cuisine in Restaurant: Yes, but lean towards the more Turkish. (I'm not complaining).
Asian Cuisine in restaurant: Yes. Good.
Vegetarian restaurant: Not exactly. But you could absolutely find veggie options at every meal.
Breakfast [buffet]: Standard. Eggs, bread, pastries, the usual suspects. Asian breakfast.
Breakfast takeaway service: Didn't see it.
Room service [24-hour]: Yes. Needed it at 3 AM one night (jet lag), and it was surprisingly good. Kudos.
Coffee/tea in restaurant: Coffee was… decent. Tea was better (Turkey, duh).
Snack bar: Yep.
Bar: Also yep! Good selection of drinks.
Poolside bar: Also yep! Very nice for sunset.
Bottle of water: Water was everywhere (free). This I needed.
Salad in restaurant: Standard.
Soup in restaurant: Standard.
Desserts in restaurant: Yes. Turkish delights, some interesting cakes.

My Foodie Verdict: Okay, it's not a gastronomic paradise, but it's solid, varied, and the service was excellent. A definite plus. Room service at 3 AM? Lifesaver.

Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (Reality Check Included)

Okay, this is where the “hidden gem” promise had me most excited. Did it deliver? Mostly.

Gym/fitness: Yes. Small, but functional. Enough to work out a few kinks.
Pool with view: YES. Gorgeous outdoor pool. Stunning views of the mountains. Seriously, this was a highlight.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep. Exactly what I said.
Spa: They had a spa, and I spent a lot of time there.
Sauna: The sauna was divine. Pure relaxation.
Steamroom: Also divine.
Massage: The massage was… decent. Not the best I’ve ever had, but pleasant enough.
Body scrub, Body wrap: They offered them. I didn’t try them, which I now regret.
Foot bath: Seemed like a nice touch but skipped that, too.

My Relaxation Verdict: The pool, sauna, and steamroom were a HUGE win. The spa experience was a highlight.

Services and Conveniences: The Little Things (That Matter)

These are the touches that elevate a hotel from 'good' to 'great'.

Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning: YES. Crucial. Especially in the summer.
Concierge: Helpful.
Currency exchange: Convenient.
Daily housekeeping: On point.
Doorman: Yep. Welcoming.
Elevator: As mentioned.
Facilities for disabled guests: Mixed bag…
Ironing service: Yes, and VERY fast, I was impressed.
Laundry service, Dry cleaning: Worked flawlessly.
Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: Standard.
Room service [24-hour]: Excellent!
Smoking area: Yes. And they're strict about it.
Terrace: Lovely.
Wi-Fi for special events, Internet: Good, fast.
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking: All available. Convenient.
Doctor/nurse on call: Good to have.
First aid kit: present
Invoice provided: Yep.

In-Room Amenities (The Nitty Gritty)

Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub: Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!
Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping: Nice.
Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor: Yep.
Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking: More yes.
On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels: Yes!
Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing: All there.
Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service: All present.
Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Double win!

For the Kids (If You Have Tiny Humans)

Family/child friendly: Seemed like it.
Kids facilities, Babysitting service, Kids meal: Yep.

Safety/Security Features (I Like These)

CCTV in common areas: Yes

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The Erzurum Hotel Erzurum Turkey

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're heading to Erzurum, Turkey, and it's gonna be… an experience. Think less "polished travel blog" and more "drunkenly scribbled notes on a napkin." Here we go, The Erzurum Hotel, here I come! (May Allah guide me)

Erzurum Adventure: A Messy, Beautiful Disappointment (Maybe?)

Pre-Trip Meltdown (Days Before):

Panic Buying: Okay, so, packing. I'm terrible at it. I spent a solid three hours frantically buying "modest" clothing from Amazon. (Apparently, shoulders are a no-no in some mosques? Who knew!) Ended up with enough polyester to clothe a small army. My suitcase is already bulging, and I haven't even contemplated the shoes situation. Four pairs? Five? Pray for me.
Language Barrier Anxiety: "Merhaba" and "Teşekkür ederim" are about the extent of my Turkish. I've downloaded a translation app, but I'm pretty sure it'll translate my panicked pleas for help into something obscene. This could be fun. Or a disaster.
Flights (the first hurdle): My flight leaves at 6 AM. I'm not a morning person, so this should be interesting. I'm setting about ten alarms. Knowing myself, I'll hit snooze until the very last second and then sprint around like a headless chicken.

Day 1: Arrival, Bewilderment, and a Terrible Turkish Coffee

The Flight: Ryanair was a disaster. I paid for Extra leg room, and there was none. The seat in front reclined into my face for 4 hours. The snacks were overpriced, the air was stale, and I'm pretty sure I saw a small child repeatedly kicking my seat. Turkey, here I come!
The Erzurum Hotel: Finally! I find it. The lobby is… functional. Not exactly the opulent, historic hotel I was hoping for. But hey, it has a desk clerk who speaks passable English (praise be!) and a suspicious-looking elevator.
The Room: Okay, the room is…adequate. Clean. Sort of. The view is…well, it's a view. Of a mostly empty parking lot. Oh well, I’m not here to look at the parking lot. I take a nap. Jetlag is a beast.
The Coffee Catastrophe: I decide to be a brave traveller, and sample Turkish coffee. I order at a little cafe down the street. It arrives in a tiny, adorable cup, and I feel like I am in a movie. Then I drink it. It's…thick. Gritty. Bitter. My face contorts in what I hope is a polite expression. The waiter, bless his heart, just smiles. I manage to get down half of it. I'm pretty sure I can feel the caffeine racing through my veins. I'll be up all night.
Dinner Debacle: I wander into a kebab place. The menu is entirely in Turkish. I point at a picture of something that looks vaguely appetizing. It arrives. It’s…meat. Lots and lots of meat. I'm pretty sure it was goat. I choke it down and feel a flicker of sadness. I really miss my mom's cooking.

Day 2: The Fortress, The Mosque, and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Turkish Tea

The Fortress: I try to be a tourist. The Erzurum Fortress! Okay, it's… a fortress. Pretty old, I guess. The climb is brutal, and I'm already sweating like a pig. The view is pretty spectacular, though. But the wind is biting, and I just want to sit back down.
The Mosque: I visit a mosque. Shoes off, headscarf on and. I wander around, marveling at the architecture. It’s all so beautiful and serene. Then, I have a moment of profound (and unexpected) peace, a quiet moment where the world just… stops. It's weird, but I like it.
The Tea Triumph (and Tragedy): Okay, Turkish tea. I'm starting to get the hang of it. The little glasses, the strong, black liquid… I love it. I end up sitting in a tea house for hours, watching people, eavesdropping on conversations (using my translation app, of course – which is actually getting pretty good). Then there's this AMAZING baklava. Oh my god. I almost cry. It’s the sugar rush, the jet lag, the realization that I'm actually here, in Turkey. It's an emotional overload.
Lost in Translation (Again): I try to buy a shawl at a market. I think I'm haggling successfully. I am not. End up paying way too much for a gloriously gaudy, sparkly thing. Whatever. It’s beautiful, and I'm going to wear it with pride. (Even if I look like a disco ball).

Day 3: Backing out from a trip for hiking. More tea and a very weird "Spa" experience

Hiking? I had planned a day of hiking. Nope. I'm still worn out. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not.
Tea House Therapy: Back to my tea house. I spend the morning drinking tea, watching life happen. I'm starting to feel a weird connection with the place. I actually feel like I belong here. It's bizarre.
The "Spa" (and its Dark Secrets): I see a sign for a "Turkish Bath." I figure, why not? It's in the basement of a very sketchy-looking building. The place is dimly lit, the air is thick with steam, and the "masseuse" is… let's just say, a large, imposing figure. It's an experience, let's leave it at that. I escape afterward, feeling both surprisingly relaxed and intensely violated. I needed a drink.
Evening: I walked back to the hotel, drank coffee at the in house cafe, and passed out on the bed at around 9 PM.

Day 4: Departure and "Never Again" (Maybe?)

The Packing Panic (Round Two): More panic packing. The suitcase is now a complete mess, crammed with shawls, souvenirs, and my rapidly dwindling supply of clean underwear.
The Airport Debacle: Arrive at the airport. The security line is long, chaotic, and filled with screaming children. I am starting to feel like a well-seasoned veteran traveller.
The Flight Home: The flight is long, and the thought crosses my mind "what if my phone battery is completely dead and I have no way to contact my family?" But hey, I have a window seat! I look out at the clouds, and I reflect…
Emotional Wrap-Up: Okay, Erzurum. It was weird. It was chaotic. It was beautiful. It was frustrating. It was absolutely, wonderfully, messily human. Would I go back? Maybe. Probably. Eventually. But, at the very least, I'm glad I went.

P.S. I have no idea what I ate most of the time. I still love Tea, and I might be addicted to Baklava. And if anyone knows how to get the smell of sulfur out of my hair, please tell me.

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The Erzurum Hotel Erzurum Turkey

Erzurum's "Hidden Gem" Hotel: Seriously? Let's Unpack This Mess.

Okay, is this hotel actually good? The hype is real, or is it just...hype?

Alright, let's be real. I went in expecting, you know, *some* level of exaggeration. "Hidden Gem" sets a high bar! And honestly? It's... complicated. Here's the messy truth: The hotel itself is kinda beautiful. Like, the lobby? Stunning. Think Ottoman-era meets cozy chalet vibes. I walked in and actually gasped. (Don't judge, I love a good lobby.) But... and there’s *always* a but, isn’t there? Getting to the hotel was a nightmare. Taxi drivers in Erzurum are, bless their hearts, geographically challenged. I spent a solid hour and three phone calls just *describing* the place. The directions were so vague, I felt like I was on a treasure hunt. "Go past the... thingy... near the... other thingy?" Finally found the place (miraculously!) and then that bellhop... Oh, that reminds me, the bellhop- his name, I kid you not, was "Mustafa" - not really a Mustafa, more like a ghost of Mustafa. Anyway, he was trying to carry my enormous suitcase, and on the way to the room, hit the wall with it. I literally jumped. He hadn't even noticed! He just kept talking (in Turkish, which I don't understand), and I just... I just had to laugh. It was so absurd. So yeah, it's good, but with a healthy dose of "Erzurum charm," which means things aren't *always* smooth.

The location – is it convenient, or am I going to feel like I'm stranded on a mountain?

This is where things get a little… *uphill*. (Pun intended. Because mountains.) It's not *central* central. Definitely not walking distance to, say, the most buzzing nightlife (if they have any. Erzurum nightlife: a separate adventure entirely). You'll probably need to grab a taxi or brave the public transport, which, from what I saw, involves a lot of gesticulation and a profound understanding of Turkish phrases I, regrettably, didn't possess. But! (There's a *but* again!) The views. Oh, the views. My room overlooked the mountains, and honestly, it was breathtaking. I spent a solid hour just staring out the window one morning. Pure, unadulterated peace. So, it's a trade-off. Convenience? Maybe not. Epic vistas that'll make you feel like you're in a postcard? Absolutely. Worth packing those hiking shoes, though. You'll want them for exploring the area around the hotel, which is admittedly… picturesque. The air is amazing. I just felt… cleansed. Like my soul had a spa day.

What about the food? Is it a culinary adventure or a microwave meal situation?

Okay, okay, food is *important*. And here, it was a mixed bag. Breakfast? Included, and pretty decent. Lots of Turkish staples: olives, cheeses, that delicious *sucuk* (spicy sausage) that’ll wake you up faster than any espresso. And the best part? The staff were incredibly kind; they were constantly refilling the tea and trying to teach me a few Turkish phrases, although I'll admit, my pronunciation skills were... well, let's just say, they were charitable in their reactions. Dinner? A different story. The restaurant itself felt a little… empty. (Again, Erzurum charm!) The menu was a bit limited, but I did try the local *cağ kebabı* (horizontal lamb kebab). It was good, not mind-blowing. Actually, I'd had *better* ones from a tiny street vendor down the road. But, that's the beauty of travel, isn't it? You find the little gems in unexpected places. So the food is… adequate. It’s not the *reason* you go. It's nice, but you're not going to remember the cağ kebabı over the lobby's decoration though.

The Staff: Friendly Robots or Human Beings?

Okay this is important. You're *always* going to encounter staff. And I'm happy to say: Human beings! Real people. Not the robotic "Have a nice day, sir/madam" kind. They all seemed genuinely happy to help. Though, bless their hearts, their English was a bit patchy. Which led to some *hilarious* miscommunications. Once I asked for a "hair dryer" (because mine, naturally, had decided to die on me). I ended up with a bottle of… hair *spray*. I mean, close. But clearly not the same. I just died laughing. And the next morning, one of the sweet ladies had a hair dryer in her hand like magic! It was a genuine act of kindness, and so made me happy. But here's a genuine confession: I have a phobia about small dogs. And one day, wandering the lobby, there was this tiny Yappy beast! The staff, seeing my expression, swooped in and got the dog out. I could've kissed them.

Seriously, tell me about the room. Is it a palace or a prison cell?

Okay, room specifics. Mine was… pretty good! Clean, comfortable bed (essential!), a decent-sized bathroom, and that aforementioned view. The decor was a bit… traditional. Lots of dark wood. It wasn't a minimalist paradise, but it was cozy. And it was warm! Erzurum gets *cold* in the winter, and a warm room is a godsend. I did have one slight issue: the hairdryer gave up the ghost (again!). Seriously, what is it with hairdryers and me? But you know what? It didn't even matter. I called reception, and voila – another one within minutes. Service on point. Also, the TV. A little old, but at least it had a few English channels. Perfect for those late-night, jet-lagged TV binges. In short: A very pleasant stay. And the mountains? Breathtaking.

Any Deal-breakers? What was the worst part of the experience?

Okay, the worst part. Hmm. Let’s see… (I'm REALLY reaching here...) I'd say the intermittent Wi-Fi. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn't consistently blazing fast. I needed to get some work done, and there was *that* frustration. But is that a game-changer? Not really. You’re in Erzurum! Get off your phone and LOOK at the mountains, people! So... maybe the slightly spotty Wi-Fi. Or maybe the difficulty in getting a reliable taxi. (Again, Erzurum charm!) But honestly? *That's it*. It's really hard to criticize a place with such charm. And the staff were incredible. They compensated for any small inconveniences. And like I said, the views, they make up for everything.

So, should I stay there? Is it really a "Hidden Gem?"

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The Erzurum Hotel Erzurum Turkey

Erzurum's BEST Hotel? This Hidden Gem Will SHOCK You!