Going on Holidays in a summer resort during winter? Booking friends and family into a local hotel as our own four walls’ spare bedroom capacity is already maxed out? Planning to celebrate Christmas or the New Year in style yet without the need to travel home at three a.m. when the music stops? Many perfect reasons to book yourself or someone else into one of our fine accommodation facilities.
A quick disclaimer first, or actually two. To begin with, most naturally not all establishments stay open once the peak season sun has set on the splendid southern Aegean horizons. It is a vital business plan effort to weigh the expected costs versus potential earnings. What’s more, commenting about individual enterprises is automatically based on personal taste and preference so naming them might offend some of our dear readers who disagree with a commentator’s ratings. Hence, it is a general outlook. Onto the gist of this end of year article then.
If we are honest many of us refrain from ‘going seaside’ in the so-called darker months unless we happily reside here anyways and enjoy the more peaceful, much slower weeks and months with stunning scenery guaranteed no matter the weather. Yet often horror stories emerge on social media or in conversations with friends detailing how freezing cold the room was, that the ‘hot’ button on the air-condition would not work, that the breakfast room was dimly lit and the choice of food and beverage nothing more than a few slices of bread and just one brand of equally local cheese. Nothing wrong with local produce but there should be some more items on your plate. Often rooms on sale are in need of renovation or are at ‘the other end’ of the building as the more luxurious rooms are kept free for next year. Then of course there is the issue of how welcoming a particular place is – with five out of 100 rooms occupied staff may feel somewhat underwhelmed if that is the right wording – but then why stay open in the first place?
This very latter paragraph was not written about Kuşadası, far from it. Staying in the picture of distance, and as a matter of fact it was written reasonably far from it in another resort but unfortunately holds true. Entire hotels’ neighbourhoods normally busy with tourists and guests resemble construction sites, the moment it starts to rain pavements and kerbsides are no longer an option if walking is your thing. Imagine you had rented a vehicle in order to explore a new location and perhaps make a booking, chances are you desperately look out for the street sign which reads motorway six kilometres, this way, instead.
But over here all is positively speaking different. Be it late November or early February those establishments that have decided to remain open for customers have done so in the clear knowledge of that hosting novice guests during off-season may make or break the reputation of your hotel – as after all you have reduced your tariffs to reflect on this time of year, but all done hoping for repeat custom during summer. Winter business can best be characterized as a kind of business card. If you get it right running a place at 20 per cent capacity and run it smoothly you are for sure ready to run it once again at one hundred per cent capacity six months down the calendar line. You might even want to try out a few new dishes and factor in observations and comments from your winter guests.
In town we have quite some choices – your friendly columnist recently embarked on a ‘looking here, looking there’ mission and came across the most rewarding results. Rewarding meant in a sense of realizing anew how diverse our resort is, diverse with regards to accommodation types that are really suitable for all family budgets. Even during off-peak season, we would on the one hand find small family or boutique hotels yet on the other hand and a mere ten-minute stroll along the road a big chain establishment. You may prefer to settle in the city centre close to all shops and restaurants and the marina or decide to branch out to less crowded areas. The great minibus network operates all year round and we have our trusted yellow cabbies’ network available, too, hence getting to and from anywhere in town is as easy as the ABC.
Then of course there is the time of year as such making for a wonderful attraction. Extended walks along the shoreline complete with a fresh breeze clear the mind from unwanted distractions, we think, reflect or just look out onto the sea and what the future may hold or bring.
And this observation brings us closer to the final words written for our newspaper during the soon to be ending year 2022. The image of us looking out onto the sea with its ever -changing colours, its waves big or small, spotting a fisherman on his boat far away in the distance and then marvelling at the mountains turning our amazed eyes inland – no better place than Kuşadası and environs to understand we are blessed with living or visiting where we are right now. We unite with nature, by definition; we are exposed to four seasons. Our fine hoteliers have embraced that very feeling and resulting uplifting attitude long ago – thank you and your teams welcoming us during winter.
And to you our esteemed readers whether near or afar – a splendid Festive Season and Merry Christmas, and a Wonderful and Happy New Year 2023, with lots of health and happiness. See you here on these pages next year!
