Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir  - Izmir, Turkey 

The hotel is located bang in the middle of the city, with a superb view over the bay. What I did not like so much Izmir is a tourist destination in addition to being an important city for business. The rooms were "international executive" in style - close the curtains and you could have been anywhere in the world. Since the hotel only recently re-opened, they are at least sparkling new. The photos from the Swissotel website don't really do them justice. What really got me though was that Swissotel tried to do a hard opening without opening up all the facilities. The swimming pool, spa, and business centre are all due to open later in the year. When I came back, I re-checked their website, and they still advertise these as being on offer. Anyone going there before, say, October 2008 would be well advised to contact the hotel directly to learn whether all the facilities they are looking for are available. Some prices were a rip-off. 9 Liras for an orange drink I could buy for 1 Lira just outside the hotel?? What I liked The bar on the top floor and the restaurant next to it were fantastic. First, they had "the view" in spades; second, service as attentive (maybe even a little over the top); third, the food in particular was of excellent quality in both ingredients and cooking. Presentation and surroundings were also very good, though not up to the quality of the food. The bedrooms and bathrooms were, as I said, spotless. Strange that some apparently only have showers (mine had a separate shower and bath). The television was, by today's standards for 5-star hotels, adequate. The selection of TV channels far less impressive than ordinary Turkish household cable, but a solid flatscreen mounted on the wall. The pay TV selections were awfully dated. The bathrooms were better than the bedrooms: large and shiny. Plenty of toiletries, though not of any exceptional quality. Good towels and bathrobes. The setting was brilliant. Bang in the middle of the city, but with reasonably close access to highways if one wanted to travel to, say, Ephesus. The gardens were well-maintained, but the pool was not open. The hotel taxis were clean, courteous and not prone to taking the long route to wherever we were supposed to go. Service was *exceptionally* friendly throughout the hotel. I hope they can maintain that standard once the hotel becomes fully operational. I first stayed at the Grand Efes 30 years ago, well before Swissotel took over the running of the property. Then it was easily the best hotel in town. In a few months, I am betting it will be that again. I would have liked to have stayed another night or two, but I had to go back home. I am looking forward to staying there again.