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Small, friendly hotel in restored farmhouse, Turkish mountain farming village, 20 mins from Kalkan. Ideal base for exploring. Friendly personal service from owners, always available & delighted to offer local advice/suggestions. 3 bedrooms, comfortable, spotlessly clean beds, all modern facilities. Set in own gardens, with almonds/figs/vines, huge balcony with comfy cushions exclusively for guests' use. First-class breakfast using best local produce served on terrace with view of ancient Lycian city. Dinner available, traditional freshly cooked Turkish food.
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Rooms were very pleasant, clean and comfortable - decor was charming. Delightful, cushioned seating areas had been created around the house in which to sit and relax, read or snooze. The breakfasts and dinners were excellent, all freshly prepared and delicious. Lots of home grown produce. Lovely, friendly hosts. The rural setting was very tranquil and peaceful, idylic location in which to relax and unwind. Wonderful walks, mountain views in every direction. Abundant bird life, clouds of butterflies....
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Date of stay: May 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent two nights at Owlsland and left with some very mixed feelings. There are three rooms - 2 doubles and one twin. One of the doubles and the twin looked pretty light and airy - we were in a room which I nick named 'the cave'. Maybe in the height of summer this dark room would have been a welcome reprieve from the sunshine. In October it just felt damp and miserable.
There are cockerels all around so - if your a light sleeper - be warned.
The breakfast was excellent - the evening meals - very expensive for what they were - we produce better at home on a daily basis.
It was great being able to ask Pauline and Errol about life in Turkey - a real bonus.
I enjoyed the village and access to the mountains.
It left me with some real questions about responsible tourism. This is a very expensive place to stay - twice the price of other places we stayed - which were sustaining whole families - here just a couple.
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Date of stay: October 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from owlsland, Owner at Owlsland
Responded 5 Feb 2010
This review really upset us, and we're terribly sorry these guests apparently didn't enjoy their stay. Our whole reason for running this guesthouse is to gain the satisfaction of making people's holidays as enjoyable as possible, and we work hard towards this. When guests first arrive we ALWAYS say "if there's anything you want or need, please, please, just ask us". So what really dismays us is that when these guests were actually here, when we could have taken steps to fix any problems they felt existed, they chose to say nothing, to give us no indication whatsoever that they were unhappy, despite having lots of opportunities to do so. We can't solve a problem we don't know exists. To answer specific comments: First, prices. Our rates are clearly displayed on our website, and in each room is a guest information book, with a clear price list prominently displayed in it. This lady knew our rates (£45 per person per night, Bed, Breakfast & Evening meal) when she arrived. No doubt it's possible to find cheaper places. We are about mid-range for hotels of our type in this country. We believe we offer very good value for money, which we feel is more important than just being cheap. Breakfast is all local produce, much of it our own family's, & we offer lots of it. Erol is a chef; he prepares dinner freshly each day, making at least 5 or 6 different dishes in each meal, using the best & freshest ingredients. This can't be done cheaply, but by any standards it's good value, borne out by the comments of our guests - our guestbook is always available for anyone to read. Second, their room. These guests arrived at the end of October, after the clocks had gone back, late in the evening after dark on a pouring wet night. They hadn't booked, so we offered them a choice of our twin room or the double which they chose. Certainly it was dark & rainy, but sadly the weather isn't under our control. The room has a ceiling light and two bedside lamps, so there's ample artificial light available. There is also a woodburning stove for heat. When they came for dinner an hour later, we asked if everything was okay, & they said it was. At no time during the whole evening did they indicate any dissatisfaction. When they retired, we reiterated that if they needed or wanted anything, we're here all the time; they didn't come back with any requests or complaints. At breakfast the next morning, we again asked if everything was fine, and they said yes. The only thing they did comment on was the cockerels, but this is a farm village, so yes, there are cockerels; and goats, cats, dogs and cows, too. They asked then to stay a second night, and have dinner again, too. Now why, if they were indeed so unhappy, ask to stay on? And why not at that time say if they weren't happy with the room? Had they asked, a move could very easily have been arranged. The room they were in has a wood-burning stove, which they could have lit if they felt cold, or had they asked us we would happily have lit it for them. So why didn't they? And that's what makes us really sad - we could so easily have solved this lady's complaints, and would have been delighted to do so if we'd known about them. Yet they chose to say nothing during two days, four meals and the several hours they sat with us, laughing and chatting in conversation, apparently as friends (which she says she enjoyed). They left us with handshakes, smiles and thanks for their stay. Then they post these comments on the internet. It has left us quite shocked and hurt, and we simply can't understand why anyone would choose to act this way, which helps nobody. We'd rather not comment on the last, rather crass remarks on our personal circumstances, which this lady knows nothing about, which are not her business, and which have no bearing in any case on how we (or any other hotel) set prices. We would never presume to speculate on guests' personal financial or family circumstances, even in private, far less on a public website, and believe we should be entitled to the same consideration and respect.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We're a family of four , 2 children, Jake (9) and Sara (11), and we wanted for our third visit to Turkey to get off the coast a bit away from the heat and the mozzies, so we booked at Owlsland, having seen its website. And are we glad we did! It was great, a grand place to use as a base (we hired a car) from where we could easily get to the beach, to Kalkan and to the mountains.
We especially liked Elmali (go on Monday, it's market day, and we never saw another tourist there) and the Letoon. Jake loved the terrapins and the frogs there, and we loved the mosaics.
The village Owlsland is in (Bezragan) is super, it's a little farming village, with the friendliest folk, great if you've got kids (another couple staying the same time with a 2-year-old little girl said she got LOTS of attention!) Our two loved the animals - Erol's mum is great at letting them feed the goats, and pet the babies, and the dogs and cats are great. They're definitely not obtrusive - our Jake had to go and seek them out each day to pet them, and he particularly loved the little beagle. He's even sent her emails since we came back (and she must be very clever, because she's answered them too)(I wonder if her mummy helped?)
The hotel itself was great - the rooms are huge and airy, and though the decor is simple, it's in keeping with the feel of the old farmhouse (it was Erol's grandad's house). We had all we wanted - the beds were comfy, there was loads of hot water in the shower, the big balcony which runs the whole length of the house was ideal to chill out (our two kids particularly enjoyed that, and loved to watch the chicks in the swallows nest too).
A final word about Erol and Pauline - their hospitality knew no bounds. Nothing was too much bother, they're knowledgeable, informative and helpful, and they were great at explaining things to the children. Pauline is a mine of information about the area, we wouldn't have found half the places without her advice (and with a fine dash of humour thrown in too!)(just ask her about the new building which has gone up in the village!) And Erol's cooking was great too - we ate at Owlsland every night but one out of our week, which says it all - they were happy to make the dinner a bit earlier for us because the children don't like to eat late, and the food was out of this world - we didn't have a repeated dish in the whole six nights. Sample of one night - chicken fried in a garlicky coating, local hand-made pasta in a tomato sauce, herby mushrooms, an orangey salad, a salad with chick peas,a yoghurt dip with salad leaves in it (I've forgotten their name, though they did tell us!) and a huge plate of fruit to finish. And all prepared fresh specially for us. It was truly a thoroughly enjoyable holiday, and if you're swithering, don't - JUST GO!!
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Date of stay: June 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A family house that belonged to the family grandfather in an idyllic valley settled by the Romans and inhabited by the Lycians. Run by an ecologically aware couple who are animal involved in local animal rescue not to mention they built there 'new house' themselves and restored the one you will stay in. Its rustic and quaint you walk across to the main house terrace for meals and wifi. Full and half board is available as well as B & B. The welcome is genuine and the food out of this world. Absolutely some of the best food I had in Turkey - ask to sample some of the goat curd made by local shepherds -Im still dreaming about it.. Not surprising that our host used to do cooking classes as part of his astounding career. He's also happy to share his knowledge. There is only one coffee shop (that only sells coffee, tea and coke) under a tree and a small general store both within a kilometre. So best to bring snacks you need (alcohol is available and reasonably priced) This village was home to a thriving farming population but as is so often the case the younger generation, like our host, leave to find employment elsewhere. Apparently the tradition is becoming that those that can return, do and hopefully like Owlsland will breathe renewed life into this idyllic spot without destroying its tranquility. It is the quiet that makes this spot so, bring a book and curl up listening to goats sheep and the odd donkey in one of the myriad of nooks and crannies created just for this purpose. Alternatively, go for a walk its astoundingly beautiful. Its expensive but worth scrimping to do this side trip I would make it one of my must return to places in Turkey.
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Date of stay: August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Owlsland is all that it says on it’s website, a delightful step back into times long gone by in modern Europe, set in a secluded, very simple farming community with sheep and goats grazing all around and a menagerie of friendly dogs and cats We had a very attractive, comfortable double bedded room in an old farm building 100M from the main house, with constant hot water and other facilities. We enjoyed Errol’s home cooking in the evenings whilst Pauline provided a very warm welcome and delicious breakfasts, and was more than ready to answer any questions and give information and advice about local matters. For the less active a stroll in to the village, followed by a circuit, stopping for an ice cream at one of the two simple shops and later an omelette at the café opposite the mosque, is a 7km totally flat walk.
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Date of stay: October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have travelled a lot and this is certainly one of the most memorable and hospitable places in all our travels. Pauline and Errol the most wonderful hosts and the food simply scrumptious.
The house has been lovingly restored, you feel like you are in another time. The verandah in the moonlight a dream.
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Date of stay: May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have just spent a wonderful week at Owlsland, Bezirgan, in the mountains above Kalkan. For anyone wanting a holiday away from the tourist areas this is ideal. The owners, Erol and Pauline, made us feel very welcome and comfortable, always happy to suggest places to visit and tell us about the area - this was our first visit to Turkey so this was very helpful for us. The breakfasts and evening meals were delicious (I requested the recipes) Turkish food is so appetizing and tasty. We chose to eat our evening meal there, if there are other guests it is good fun meeting people you may not ordinarily meet. The accomodation is lovely, very clean, plenty space and a balcony to chill out on, from where you can watch the goat kids getting up to lots of mischief! The village of Bezirgan is interesting to walk around and the people friendly. The scenery is amazing and you can walk from the house up to the Lycian way path. It is about a 20 minute spectacular drive to Kalkan where there are plenty shops etc, a harbour and a pebbly beach with a safe area to swim. All in all a great introduction to a fascinating country, can't wait to return for more.
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Date of stay: June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our family of four (two boys, 5 & 7 years old) had a brilliant time at Owlsland in May - the boys haven't stopped talking about it since, and so we've just booked up for 2010, though we don't usually go back to the same place twice. Owlsland was special though. The village is small, it's quiet, there are no bars or pubs, but the people are so kind and welcoming. The local people seemed genuinely pleased to see us, and when we passed by village ladies making bread, they insisted, amidst much smiling and laughing, on giving us some to try, made a huge fuss of the boys, and asked us all about our family (sign language only, sadly we don't have any Turkish!)
At Owlsland itself, we had everything we could want. Erol (who is a Turk and belongs to this village) and Pauline (who is a Scot) really put themselves out for us. Our sons love to know about anything that's going on and they 're really keen on animals, birds and insects, of which there are a great many around. I was afraid they'd plague the life out of Erol & Pauline, but they were so good with the boys, answered all their questions so patiently, Erol even took them round the village in his pickup to look for owls at dusk, which thrilled them to bits! We visited Patara, with its sandy beach, which we loved, Letoon and its frogs, the boys' favourite, and Elmali and its market, my favourite. We went walking in the mountains, saw tortoises and footprints of wild boar, and visited Kas and the amphitheatre. We swam in the sea at Kaputas. We ate great food every night at Owlsland - for us with young children, busy restaurants where you have ages to wait to get served are not ideal, but Erol was quite happy to make us our meal every night at six o'clock, which we really liked. It meant we could eat as a family, with no other diners to be disturbed, we could relax and have a glass of wine with no driving to do, and the food was to die for. And to make it perfect for two boys who would love a dog and can't have one, the little beagle and the labrador to fuss and love, as well as Erol's Mum's goats to feed. We can't wait to go back, this is a great place for a family holiday.
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Date of stay: May 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our family of 5 had the most wonderful time at Owlsland over Easter 2009. The boys (aged 5 and 7) loved it so much they cried for at least 15 minutes after driving away and made us promise we'd go back again one day!
We flew with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (a very smooth transfer) to Antalya and then enjoyed a very pleasant drive up through the snowcapped mountains, and past dozens of perfectly pruned apple orchards stopping for freshly cooked Turkish style pide pizza for lunch on the way. The first of many warm welcomes and delicious meals in Turkey.
Pauline and Erol, our Scottish hostess and Turkish host, could not have made us feel more welcome. Nothing was too much trouble and their breakfasts and evening meals, made with the best of their homegrown or locally sourced ingredients, were fabulous. I would never have believed that my 3 children would spend 10 days in Turkey without a single kids meal (nuggets/burgers etc) and come away with a love of lentil soup, chickpea fritters, spinach and feta cheese rolls and bulgur wheat! Thank you Owlsland!
There were plenty of things to interest and entertain all of us. Fascinating markets selling a rainbow of local produce (the smelly cheese sold in the hairy goatskins was our favourite); masses of Roman ruins you could clamber all over; gorgeous beaches; breathtaking scenery both along the coast and inland; numerous hiking options; historic towns; a surprising amount of readily visible wildlife including tortoises and an eagle (plus the domesticated cows, goats, chickens, cats and dogs around Owlsland of course), and plenty of authentic souvenirs to browse and ponder over.
The accommodation was a traditional Turkish farmhouse, very rustic but well kept, with a lovely balcony to stretch out on, and although during the day it was beautifully sunny, at night we really appreciated the wood burning stove.
Owlsland was the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, but not so remote as to be lacking in things to do. There could be no better place to sit back and simply read for a week, but equally there was plenty to keep you occupied if you wanted to explore. We're now booking our Easter 2010 holiday, and Owlsland is going to be a very hard act to follow. I'm sure we'll be returning sooner rather than later.
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Date of stay: April 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had stayed in Kalkan before, but fancied seeing a bit of Turkey which isn't so touristy, and someone suggested we give Owlsland a try - and oh boy, are we glad we did! It's a restored farmhouse, only small, and it's up in the mountains behind Kalkan, about twenty minutes drive away. The village is called Bezirgan, and was apparently where Kalkan people used to go in the summer, to escape the mozzies. When you get there, you can see their point. It's totally different to Kalkan, just small farms, and lovely people who are so glad to see you, and offer you grapes and almonds when you walk past (as other reviewers have commented).
The hotel has only three rooms, and we had the upstairs one, which is really big, so lots of room, and nice and airy. The big balcony was a big hit with us - we spent lots of lazy time in the afternoon lounging and reading, in between trips down to the coast.
There's loads of places to visit fairly close by (you'd need a car though), and we liked Patara beach.
Again as others have said, the food is all cooked to order, and the cook, Erol, does loads of different dishes which you never see in the restaurants, and all lovely and fresh. Best of all we liked our breakfasts. They give you a generous two-hour breakfast slot (between 8.30 & 10.30), so you don't have to worry about missing breakfast, and there was loads of local fresh food to eat. Loved the jams, made by Pauline from fruit from their own garden - no chemicals here!
We'll definitely be back - we felt so relaxed at the end of our holiday, we didn't want to come home!
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Date of stay: September 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"Book the upstairs room if available - it is bright, spacious and has the lovely (communal but we didn't have to share it) lounge area outside the room."
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