We have just come back from 2 weeks at the Salmakis - our first holiday in Turkey. I would have to say that overall the Hotel is pretty good but there are lots of steps to negotiate and although there are lifts, you will still have to use steps in addition so I would not recommend the Hotel if you have difficulty in walking. We stayed on a B&B basis and I would definately recommend this as there are plenty of places to eat in either Bodrum or Gumbet. As others have said, the water taxi is close by and cheap, running every ten minutes until around midnight. We had drinks at the Bardacki bar everynight (near the water taxi departure point) and this was probably the best bar we went to! Very welcoming and entertaining staff. The hotel has a great pool and I would recommend the Turkish bath at the start of your holiday. The drinks are expensive at the Hotel (5.50 YTL for a small beer) but you can go to the Charm next door where it is a bit cheaper and we got free drinks a couple of times. Would not recommend buying a bottle of wine at the Hotel either as it is very expensive and not worth it!
I understand that the waiters may be on commission for selling wine, so beware! Bodrum offers many restaurants, we ate at the Marina Yacht Club on our last night which was very nice and not really that pricey considering the location (around £50 for 2 courses with drinks, for 2 people). You can walk into Gumbet (much 'brasher' than Bodrum) quite easily but I would recommend a taxi back as it is uphill! Recommend going to see the Dreamgirls in Gumbet (Friday and Saturday nights are for adults only) it was very funny. Overall a very good Hotel in an excellent location.

has a great week at the salmakis. went as a family of three with our nine year old daughter. the hotel was clean and tidy throughout our stay. our room was fine with great views of the bay and castle. most rooms would have two or three sets of steps to get to the pool and restaurant. fantastic pool area with good sunbeds and plenty of shelter. breakfast was good, typical of turkey, with a good choice. drinks at pool bar as well as everywhere else in hotel are quite expensive. snack bar ok but a better bet go to little place just off of beach where water taxi departs, has a better choice and is cheaper. water taxi is great way into bodrum and only 4 lira each, and free for kids. we emptied our mini bar of cans throughout day, after the maids had been, and bought loads of the same at 20% of the cost in town and smuggled into room. cracking family holiday.

This is great place to stay, and value for money is unbelievable, me and my mate just stayed there for one week and im already wanted to go back, its situated just in between bodrum and gumbet so you have the choice on where to go. the hotel is very clean, has great views and was just perfect. there is so much to do we didnt even get to use the hotel facillities but they were there if we wanted. if you your like me and fussy about food dont eat at the hotel as its buffet and not really my thing but there are great restaurants in bodrum and gumbet, ali baba cafe in bodrum is worth a visit which is in the harbour as soon as you get off the taxi boat and the red dragon in gumbet is a must visit, you just jump in a taxi and go to the red dragon and the taxi is paid for. really nice holiday, if you going with just girls you need to stay together and be very wiery as the locals can be a little too friendly but going with family or partner your have a blast

I was very pleased to spend a week at The Salmakis Resort & Spa from 12-19 May 2008. The resort is beautifully located with a spectacular view of Bodrum Bay. It is difficult for me to understand how this hotel could have had some bad ratings. However we were there at the beginning of the season and our room were rated partial sea view - we actually had a fantastic view of Bodrum Bay. We stayed in room 729, which was excellent.

The food was buffet style and changed every day - it was very tasty. One evening we arrived for dinner quite late, but a request to provie addional food met with an immediate repsonse. There is an outside omlet bar for breakfast and a barbecue item at dinner time. Drinks are expensive, particularly wine (and you can’t bring in your own). A 1.5 litre of water was 3.75 TLR and the cheapest bottle of wine worked out (with automatic tip) to 73 TLR. Having said that the management are aware of the high prices and hopefully they will come down.

As the hotel is located on a hillside there are a lot of steps down to the restaurant and the beach (seven levels from Reception - there are rooms on higher floors than that). There are elevators but they do not serve all levels. If you have trouble walking or with a lot of stairs this is NOT the hotel for you. Saying this I have two total knee replacements and managed well (I found the exercise to be very good).

You can use much of the Spa in the hotel for free including the jacuzzi, sauna, pool and Turkish Baths (but no service of course).

Drinks and snacks are available in a small convenience store at the top of the hill just past the taxi rank - the prices are very good and the staff are very friendly. Ice creams are cheaper here than anywhere else.

Booking excursions. There are several good excursions including Ephesus, Dalyan (for mud baths), cruising, Turkish baths etc. As usual don’t book through your tour rep as they overcharge by at least 40%. I booked trips using Toby of Exen Travel [--] in Gumbet (opposite the Green Parrot restaurant) a 12 minute walk from the Salmakis and was very pleased. Pick up and return to the hotel is included. Whatever you do book a trip to the Turkish Baths for the full treatment including the half hour oil massage - only 9 GBP - fantastic value for money.

The Market - unless you are buying clothes stay away from here - you get much better bargains in the stores (after a little haggling).

Turkey generally: amazing value for money, good roads, spotlessly clean everywhere, friendly people, feeling of absolutely safety everywhere, no beggars, good food, great toilets (better than anywhere except perhaps Spain). My first visit I will be going again - everyone makes you feel really welcome in Turkey.

Don’t forget to tip for good service - people in Turkey are not paid a lot and one or two TLR or USD with be received with thanks.