Marmaris is a seaside resort in southwest Turkey in the Mugla Province. Best of both a city break and beach holiday, the lively resort is located on the world's largest natural harbours and is popular with British budget holidaymakers as a cruise ship port.
The resort is surrounded by pine-clad mountains that retain heat during the day and shelter the bay, turning the city into a suntrap. It has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters.
There's plenty of accommodation around Marmaris, from budget apartments to luxury resorts. Whether you want be close to the action in the city centre or stay on the outskirts for some peace and quiet, you'll never be too far from gorgeous crystal-clear waters.
Budget
If you want to save some pennies on your holiday, there's a range of cheaper hotels available.
The two-star Hotel Marsyas is less than 600m from the coast and offers simple air-conditioned rooms with balconies. Take a dip in the pool, grab a refreshing drink at the pool bar and dine at the open-air restaurant serving Turkish and international cuisine.
For those who require plenty of facilities and entertainment try Club Evin Marmaris. This TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Winner 2013 for bargain hotels boasts a nightclub, fitness centre, swimming pool and covered kids' pool. As well as a games room there's also an activity programme throughout the day and night including bingo, karaoke, quizzes and cabaret shows.
Also good for entertainment is Club Ako Apartments. These recently refurbished family-run apartments and studios are just a 10-minute walk from the beach and the centre of Marmaris. They offer nightly activities including a Turkish night with mezes and a BBQ night with entertainment.
Need to be in the centre of the action? Three-star Sinem Hotel is located in central Marmaris so it's an ideal base for exploring the city. After a long day out come back and jump in the refreshing pool, have a drink at the bar, or play some pool or table tennis.
If you'd rather be near the sea, there's the three-star Kivilcim Hotel, just 100m from the beach with plenty of shops and bars nearby. At this great value hotel you'll enjoy a balcony with sea or pool view, a restaurant, karaoke and a Turkish night.
Or there's Hotel Dost, 150m from the beach offering a free two-way shuttle service to Marmaris Marina. Your room has a balcony and an LCD TV, the pool has a deck with sun beds, and you can enjoy a daily breakfast buffet.
Self-catering
If you'd rather save some money and cook for yourself, try one of these self-catering apartments.
Looking for a chilled beach holiday? Head to the three-star Sebnem Apart and Studios only 150m from the beach. In between beach days there's an outdoor pool with sun loungers where you can soak up the sun as you sip on a drink from the poolside bar.
Or there's the three-star Kaan Aparthotel, a charming place to stay on the edge of Marmaris just 300m from the beach. Positioned around an outdoor pool and kids' pool, all apartments have a private balcony and kitchenette, or you can eat at the on-site restaurant.
If you want a peaceful family holiday there's Golden Orange Apartments in a quiet area on the outskirts of Marmaris. It offers comfortable spacious apartments with fully-equipped kitchenettes, a pool, restaurant and bar. Kids will enjoy the playground as well as their own pool with a waterslide.
Or you could stay at Club Dena just outside Marmaris. Its bright, well-equipped apartments have balconies that overlook the pool or palm-filled garden. The beaches are within walking distance, or you could laze by the pool on the sun terrace or grassy area with loungers and umbrellas.
For lots of activities and entertainment go with the Mediterranean-style Grand Villa Sol Apartments. By day you can join in with games in the pool, play in a table football competition or try your luck at bingo. By night there's traditional Turkish dancing, belly dancers, staff shows and discos every night from 10pm.
The Club Dante Apartments are not far from the beachfront. There's an outdoor freshwater pool and paddling pool for children, an a la carte restaurant and a bar with a big screen TV. Take a pleasant 15-minute walk to the resort centre in the evening for more bars and restaurants.
All inclusive
For those wanting to rest assured everything is paid for, head to one of these all-inclusive hotels.
At the cheaper end there's the three-star Supreme Marmaris Hotel, a short walk from the beach. This modern hotel complex boasts spacious rooms with private balconies overlooking the sea. Enjoy a cocktail by the large pool, get active in the fitness centre, or chill out in the games room with some table tennis or pool.
Also within walking distance from the beach is Club Secret Garden. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in Big Fingers restaurant, head to Corner Bar for a pub atmosphere or Club Bar for a quiet drink. Soak up some Turkish sun on a lounger by the pool or find some shade under one of the citrus and banana trees in the gardens.
Club Dorado Marmaris is in a peaceful location, a 15-minute walk from the beach and the centre. You'll get all-inclusive meals at the buffet restaurant, or there's also an a la carte restaurant. There's an outdoor pool, table tennis and a pool table, as well as weekly BBQ and Turkish nights.
A bit further out but great for families is Club Ege Antique Hotel. This new family-run hotel boasts three pools including a children's one with four water slides, a kids' club and entertainment during the day and night.
Family friendly
Marmaris offers plenty of hotels suitable for families, but you'll spend a bit more for the best ones.
If you want to go self-catered there's the elegant Club Anastasia with rooms blending Turkish style and western comfort. Take a dip in the daisy-shaped swimming pool, or hit the gym or Turkish bath. Kids will enjoy their own nautical-themed pool, a kids' club, playground, kids' shows and a games room with PlayStations, air hockey and table tennis.
If you'd rather go all inclusive try Club Alize with great entertainment for kids. Go for a pool view room if you have children as it's away from the busy road. It offers two kids' pools including one with a slide, a kids' club, a games room, toy shop as well as spa and fitness centre.
A bit pricier is the four-star Julian Club Hotel with modern resort-style rooms with balconies. It boasts two outdoor pools, one for kids with water slides, a mini club, playground as well as a mini disco. Enjoy a range of activities from water polo to mini golf, sporting competitions as well as professional shows in the evening.
Great for entertainment is the stylish Club Aida, TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Winner 2013 for top hotels. Situated in lush grounds, within easy reach of the beach, you can cool off in the pool, join an aqua aerobics class or feel the burn in the gym. Entertainment includes kids games, pool games, face painting, karaoke, an acrobat show, cabaret, Turkish nights and barman show.
Winner of the same award is the Marbella Hotel. This modern hotel is located on the seafront of a blue flag beach and offers free umbrellas and sun loungers at the pool and beach. Family rooms, cots and highchairs are also available.
On the beach
There are plenty of hotels along the Marmaris coastline, mostly in the mid to higher range.
For a room with a view and great entertainment, stay at the three-star Malibu Beach Hotel. Its modern rooms have balconies with outstanding sea views and the hotel's well maintained beach is just meters away. Evening entertainment starts at 10pm and includes dancers, acrobatics and tribute acts and a guy in a light-up robot suit dancing to Gangnam style.
If you'd like to go all inclusive there's the newly renovated The Beachfront Hotel. Situated right on the beach you can enjoy a day with the sand between your toes on the hotel's own stretch of beach or take a stroll along the seafront to the Old Town or Marmaris marina.
A bit pricier is the four-star Cettia Beach Resort, a stunning beachfront hotel with three bars, two restaurants, a fitness centre and spa. Sunbathe on the hotel's jetty, get involved in daytime activities such as pool games and enjoy night time entertainment such as professional shows.
Great for families is the lively Hotel Ideal Prime Beach right on the beachfront. It has its own section of beach with a private jetty, two pools and one kids' pool with waterslides. There are three different restaurants to choose from and a range of bars including a pub bar and a disco bar. You'll be entertained in the evening with live music, shows and Turkish nights.
Romantic escapes
If you planning on honeymooning in Marmaris or simply want a romantic break, look no further.
There's the Romance Hotel in the heart of Marmaris, just 100m from Long beach. It has a classy design, elegant bedrooms, a fitness centre and spa. Outside there's an outdoor pool with a vitamin bar serving fresh fruit juice, two a la carte restaurants and a beach bar with live music.
For somewhere relaxing with no noisy children, there's the adults-only Marmaris Imperial Hotel with villa-style buildings built on a slope among lush vegetation. Sunbathe on the beach, private jetty or the pool's sun terrace with great views of the private bay. Hit the spa, or if you want to get active there's plenty of activities from aerobics and water polo to Pilates and boules.
If you want to go all inclusive there's the four-star Sun Maris Bellemare Beach Hotel in an enchanting location by the beach, surrounded by lush forest. It's outside of the hustle and bustle of the centre so has a peaceful atmosphere, but it's still only 8 minutes in a bus if you want to explore the city. It boasts a spa, fitness centre, Turkish nights and pool games.
Those on their honeymoon should head to Orsmaris Boutique Hotel, located directly on the beach. Choose the honeymoon suite for fabulous sea views and a private balcony. If you can tear yourselves away, swim in the pools surrounded by gardens, dine in the restaurant offering panoramic views of the Med and sip on a tropical cocktail at the bar.
Top end
If you want the very best, Marmaris has a few luxury hotels to choose from.
The all-inclusive, tropical-style Blue Bay Platinum Hotel is located in the centre of Marmaris and is just a few minutes from the beach. Its stylish rooms are finished to the highest standards with beach panoramas above the beds and wall-mounted flat screen TVs. It boasts three outdoor pools including a children's' pool with waterslides, two restaurants, four bars and evening entertainment.
If you'd rather an adults-only hotel there's the oriental-style Blue Bay Classic Hotel which overlooks the bay. Sunbathe on the private section of the beach, unwind in the spa, dine in one of the two restaurants and have drinks in one of the four bars. It offers low-key daily entertainment and occasional shows in the bar or films in the cinema room.
Of there's the lavish five-star European-style Elegance Hotel. Your fancy room has electronic drapes, a posh bathroom and a light-up makeup mirror. Relax in the spa or on the private jetty with mattresses and comfy cushions. If you'd rather get active there's a fitness centre and a range of water sports. You'll enjoy evening shows by the pool including cabaret, dance, and Turkish folklore.
With a spa
For those seeking the ultimate relaxing holiday, there are a few spa hotels available at the very top end.
The five-star Green Nature Resort and Spa is in a stunning location beside a pine forest. You'll be spoilt for choice in terms of facilities with two pools for adults and two for children with waterslides, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, aerobics classes, a fitness centre and of course a spa. This includes an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, steam room, Jacuzzi.
Another five-star is Casa de Maris Spa and Resort Hotel, a mere 10m from the sea. It boasts five restaurants, three bars and two outdoor pools with one for kids. Why not unwind in the Artemis Spa with a sauna, Turkish bath, massages and skin treatments?