Cumbalıca Beach Hotel

I love cities with stories and places where windows open to tales. Stone streets, bay-windowed houses, I wonder what has happened inside them and who has lived there. That's why I'm in such a place now, in Çeşme, and I'm as happy as if my close friend had called me to come over and I had come, hugged, and kissed them. I'm staying at Cumbalıca Hotel in Ilıca, just a 5-minute walk from the colorful and lively atmosphere of Alaçatı. When you climb the stairs, you're greeted by a courtyard full of greenery. You open one of the doors in the courtyard, and a stunning blue sea view is the second surprise. From the bay window, the sea flows into your heart, and the bed and blankets smell wonderfully of soap. If someone asked me to describe tranquility, I would point to the chair by the bay window and suggest they take a look outside. My beloved Çeşme, my beloved Aegean, I can never get enough of you... Let me tell you a bit about Ilıca first. Here, no matter where you dig, hot water comes out, and there are over 250 springs just in Ilıca Bay. The sea is both healthy and warm thanks to the mineral-rich water. The nature here is uniquely green with olive groves and mastic trees. Ilıca is not as crowded as Alaçatı; you can rest in its tranquility and join the hustle and bustle of Alaçatı in the evening within 5 minutes. The blue-flag, fine sandy Ilıca Beach is right in front of Cumbalıca Hotel. After enjoying Çeşme’s sun and water, plan some time for a beach walk. When you get hungry, try a kumru or söğüş, and for a sweet treat, have some mastic ice cream. Perhaps a photo tour through the stone streets adorned with bougainvillea. Discover the natural pool surrounded by stones in the sea at Yıldızburnu at the end of Ilıca Bay. This pool remains 58 degrees year-round, so you can swim in warm sea water even in winter. By the way, the hotel also has thermal and regular pools, but they can be too hot in the summer. As for its story, this hotel was built at the end of the 1800s and gets its name from its bay windows. When Tosun Pasha from Egypt came here for healing, he brought along a Greek musician named Paul. After returning from Egypt, Paul fulfilled his dream by building the "Constantinapol Hotel." This storied place, which changed hands twice, was reopened as "Cumbalıca Hotel" by a tasteful retired teacher, combining the words “cumba” (bay window) and “Ilıca” to fit the region and the building. My recommendations for places to visit in Çeşme include Asma Yaprağı for authentic dishes, Yuzu Beach for scenic meals, and Ortaya for trying different flavors. And of course, while you’re here, make sure to taste the famous artichokes. 🕺 For entertainment, my favorites are Before Sunset, Panayır with its unique concept, and Cahide for Turkish music. On Thursdays, after exploring the variety of Aegean herbs at Ilıca’s market, turn your route to a place not everyone knows. 🐶 The facility's doors are wide open for our furry friends. 👪 For families with babies, there are cribs and high chairs available. It’s also a comfortable hotel for those using wheelchairs. ⛵ If you choose a room with a bay window or terrace at Cumbalıca Hotel, you’ll get a bonus view of Ilıca Bay. You can even have a barbecue on your terrace. Accommodations are available with or without breakfast options.