Experience a stay in cool Kalkan on the Turquoise coast
We loved our stay at this boutique hotel in Kalkan. It was actually quite difficult to find a hotel that ticked all our boxes, and we were so glad we eventually chose Fidanka.
But where is Kalkan and how is it a good short break destination from Dubai?
Read on to find out why this is the best boutique hotel in Kalkan.
First of all, how to get to Kalkan
It’s an easy short flight via flydubai from Dubai to Antalya.
From there, we recommend leaving the large all-inclusive hotels behind and taking a fairly smooth three-hour or so transfer by road down to Kalkan, on the turquoise coast of Turkey.
If you love the sea, greenery, and mountains, you’ll be in heaven here.
Boutique hotel Kalkan - location and setting
Fidanka Hotel, is one of the best boutique hotels in Kalkan, set a little bit into the cliffside.
But while it’s rural, it certainly is not remote. It has the most beautiful landscaping and gardens at every level, and there are gorgeous vistas everywhere you go. From the dining areas, to your room and everywhere in between. The main pool has a small bar overlooking the town, a great place to have an early evening drink before dinner.
There’s also a secret, hidden pool, which is a great find, especially if you want to get away from the main area framed by rosemary bushes, lavender plants and olive trees.
What's the vibe like
Overall, this is a gorgeous setting. If you love greenery and beautiful things, and don’t want a hotel where you think “well, we could be just anywhere”.
It’s not a large hotel, nor does it have a mansion-type feel but it’s spread out over several levels. More like a country house that’s been gradually extended over time to accommodate friends.
If you love the sea, greenery, and mountains, you'll be in heaven here.
Accommodation: rooms and suites
There are a variety of differently designed rooms at this boutique hotel in Kalkan. The most popular seem to be the Garden Rooms, on the ground floor of the hotel, which open up almost onto the pool level.
We were very happy with our room on the first floor, which we reached via a simple set of stone steps. It felt like you were just walking up to another level of the garden.
There are also larger suite-type rooms, again accessed via a small set of wooden stairs. All the rooms have stunning views of greenery over the hill tops and a bit of the sea.
Restaurant and dining
Fidanka has a gorgeous restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast was a highlight of our stay. Amazing Turkish breakfasts with fresh mountain cheeses, salads, eggs, and a separate table with homemade cakes and a variety of different jams. And, of course, Turkish simit and other breads, making for a very hearty start to the day.
We also had dinner at their restaurant, which does get very booked up, especially at weekends. It has a beautiful setting, and the food is of a very high standard.
What can you do in Kalkan?
If you’re looking to make the most of your trip, here are five must-do things in Kalkan:
- Visit the Patara Dunes: a gorgeous, stretch of dunes overlooking the Mediterranean Sea perfect for sunsets.
- Walk the Saklikent Gorge: a spectacular gorge walk, well worth the trip.
- Lunch at a mountain village restaurant: try somewhere known for trout farming, and don’t miss the fresh mountain cheeses.
- Visit a beach club or two: there’s a variety, from luxurious to more basic, and all are great value compared to some of Turkey’s better-known coastal spots.
- Take a boat trip: we did two, and highly recommend a day trip around Kalkan itself, complete with lunch served on board. For the more adventurous, there’s also a trip out to Kekova, though it’s more popular and can get busy. We loved our day out around the coast of Kalkan.
Boutique hotel Kalkan - where exactly
Who Fidanka is perfect for - and who it isn't
Fidanka is perfect for people who love greenery and gardens, quirky style interiors with a very personal touch. It’s for guests who want an excellent homemade breakfast and an on-site restaurant.
In terms of location, while the hotel does have 2 small pools, it doesn’t have direct access to the sea though there are a variety of beach clubs you can easily reach.
There isn’t really anywhere you can easily walk to from Fidanka, but taxis are easy to order and there are plenty around.
The most important thing to note: it isn’t on one level, and there are no elevators or lifts. For anyone who can’t manage stairs, this hotel would be somewhat challenging.
But we absolutely loved it, and felt that going up and down a few stairs here and there was actually a good thing, given all the food we were eating!
Final Thoughts
Kalkan is a great destination if you have family or friends joining you from the UK. They can fly direct to Dalaman Airport, while you fly to Antalya from Dubai.
The level of service was absolutely outstanding. All the staff, especially Gulfiz, the hotel manager went above and beyond to help us have a fantastic holiday. No request was too difficult, and everyone was very helpful.
Those sun glasses, that you won’t lose – are from Klammeraffe see details of how you can get a pair here.
Follow along on Instagram
Do check out @doindubai on INSTAGRAM to bring Kalkan right to you. Experience all of our stay at Fidanka, this beautiful boutique hotel in Kalkan, for yourself. Just look for the Turkiye highlights.
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