Uygulama Hotels can be found in most large cities in Turkey. They are government run and staffed by students and trainees and many of the hotel clients are government officials or teachers. They offer consistent prices and value for money.
Although each establishment will differ in terms of the standard and quality of service and accommodation they are certainly worth considering as an alternative to mainstream hotels. The Cunda Uygulama Hotel is situated just as you come off the bridge from Ayvalik to Cunda Island. You can't miss it on your right hand side, positioned overlooking the bay in an excellent commanding position with spectacular views.
With ample parking and easy access this is definitely one of the flagships of the Uygulama Hotels. The lobby is spacious and impressive. The grounds of the hotel are well laid out and maintained. There is a café bar and a restaurant that offers lunchtime and evening meals if they have tour bookings at the time of you stay.
If not you might need to eat out. Breakfast is included. We paid 140 Turkish Lira ( £27.36 ) for something that would have cost you 3 times this price in Europe. Breakfast for two is included in that price. The double room that we booked was tastefully decorated with wallpaper and was clean and well presented generally. The bathroom was in good order and everything worked pretty much as it should ( the TV command could have done with some batteries and one light bulb was not working ).
The beds were comfortable and the room is equipped with a TV. We were lucky enough to find the restaurant open and had a three course buffet style meal in a very nice restaurant with excellent food for the total price for two people of 50 Turkish Liras ( £9.97 ). We felt that everything offered here was very reasonable.
The staff were friendly and efficient. The breakfast in the morning was excellent. If every Uygulama Hotel followed this standard of excellence then one of Turkey's best kept secrets would be out. I strongly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting Ayvalik or Cunda Island. It really is a good place to stay.
Uygulama Hotels are operated by the government on a commercial basis. They are used to train students wanting to start a career in the tourism sector and also frequented by teachers and civil servants. Many tour companies use them.
They offer a good alternative to mainstream hotels and are generally very well managed. The Bornova Uygulama Hotel in Izmir is situated within walking distance of the large IKEA outlet and Bornova Forum shopping mall ( 15 minute walk). It is housed within the confines of a High School so drive carefully when you are coming and going by vehicle.
There is ample parking near the hotel. Access for the disabled might be a bit tricky since although there is a ramp it is very long and steep. Once inside the hotel there is a spacious lobby and well maintained Reception area. The staff are friendly and efficient and you are soon on your way to your room.
The price we paid for a double room with breakfast for two was 140 Turkish Lira ( £23.52 ). This is exceptionally good value for money for the quality of the room that we got. The room was tastefully decorated in part wallpaper and paint. There is a fridge and Wi-Fi and a well equipped bathroom. There are no tea or coffee facilities and although the hotel does seem to offer drinks in the Reception area you are quite a distance from any shops if you just want something quickly.
The nearest place to eat or buy anything is the Bornova Forum. The breakfast here is very good. A great selection of cold continental breakfast but with boiled eggs or omlette style hot food too. A good selection of cheeses and tea or coffee available. The hotel is well run and clean. The beds are comfortable and you are pretty much guaranteed a good nights sleep here since there is not busy traffic outside to worry about.
The other advantage is that you are pretty near the outer ring road so if you are heading in and out of Izmir the location is good. I would have no hesitation in recommending this hotel for the duration of your stay in Bornova, Izmir.