We spent a week at the Mehmet Ali Aga Mansion in late September, organised through Exclusive Escapes.

This place is amazing. It is an old Turkish mansion, beautifully and sympathetically restored. It is located in a traditional Turkish village but only a couple of miles from the resort of Datcha. Datcha is a pleasant, primarily Turkish resort, with all facilities.

The mansion rooms are unique. Traditionally designed in the Ottoman style with antique furniture and valve radios (but modern mini-bars!) they are large and comfortable and provide a very special experience.

We chose to stay in the Stone House rooms. These are traditionally styled but with modern furniture and comforts (eg satellite TV and air conditioning). We had the Stone House Suite, which is similar to the rooms but with a private balcony. The other rooms all share a balcony, which runs along the front of the main stone house building.

The hotel has a brand new pool, not the largest, but absolutely fine for the 19 rooms.

The hotel is immaculate. Senna, the owner, thinks of everything, takes so much pride in the hotel and is genuinely interested in guests’ feedback.

The food is wonderful. We normally tend to go out to restaurants for dinner. We did so on one occasion (not the best experience!) but for the rest of the time we stayed in, because the food was so good. We did not have one bad meal. The courtyard restaurant is in an amazing setting, with wonderful relaxed, but efficient service.

Every member of staff, from the cleaner to the owner, was without exception, friendly, welcoming and genuine. We felt part of the family, not guests. This has to be one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. Our special thanks to Senna, Murat Erol and the rest of the team for looking after us so well.

So what was wrong with the hotel? Virtually nothing. We are normally quite critical of hotels, but are really struggling to find fault with Mehmet Ali Aga. The rooms were a little dark at night for reading perhaps, soundproofing was not quite what we had expected from a Stone House room, and sun loungers were good quality but could not be adjusted, so were perhaps not the most comfortable. Everything else was perfect.

We travelled with Exclusive Escapes for the second consecutive year. Last year we stayed at the Dionysos in Turunc and the Regency in Kalkan. We thought they were superb until we arrived at Mehmet Al Aga, which exceeded all our expectations.

Exclusive Escapes were excellent again. A small, professional company, who offer far more than the normal tour operator. The Heathrow flights are arranged through BMI. Exclusive charter a scheduled plane, so guests receive all the benefits of a charter flight but with standard configuration – ie decent legroom and service. All we would say is to be prepared for a late arrival back at Heathrow. The flight is scheduled to arrive at midnight but invariably comes in late. It is becoming a standard joke with guests, and even the airport car park staff commented that it is always late.

The weather was not great for most of the week, but despite the rain we had an amazing time. We don’t normally repeat holidays, but will be going back to see Senna and her team very soon.

Jackie & Chris, Billericay, UK