A Stay at Ankh Pension in Kekova, Turkey

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I love it when expectations are far exceeded. That’s how our group of four felt about our two night and way too short stay at the Ankh Pension in car-free Simena Village on the Mediterranean, a few hour’s drive south of Antalya, Turkey. It was a treat to have no agenda and be out of hiking shoes after five hard but beautiful days hiking the Lycian Way.

With some advice from an on-the-ground travel agent, we had arranged for a taxi to drive us to Ücagiz from Adrasan, our last stop on the Lycian Way.

It was a lovely drive but most of the towns we went through didn’t have the charm we were looking for. But when we turned into Ücagiz we realized we’d hit pay dirt. In minutes we had our bags loaded in a boat and were off on a 10 minute ride to the Ankh Pension – along with the family dog.

We pick up our shuttle in the harbour at Ucagiz

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Simena Castle and the landscape above Ankh Pension

Hotel Review: The Fabulous Ankh Pension in Kekova — Ankh Pension’s dog

The Ankh Pension is in an unbelievable location

Ankh Pension is located directly on the water. And everywhere you go from the water is up.

Our room was at the top of three flights of old stone stairs. Inside it was airy and our queen sized bed enjoyed views out to the water. A private patio offered a great place to doze and read – and ponder the state of the world. The room was simple but clean and had everything you needed including a large bathroom with a shower.

We ate all our meals in-house. I still think of the food and salivate. My favourite was a memorable eggplant and tomato dish that I could never replicate here in Calgary. Considering we closed the pension down for the season, I was amazed at the variety of foods that were offered. Reportedly the ice cream is amazing in season.

Be prepared to eat with at least a dozen cats watching over you at Ankh Pension. That was pretty standard in all but the fancy restaurants anywhere we went in Turkey.

Delicious home cooking at the pension — Delicious home cooking at Ankh Pension – and this was just the vegetable course

What you can do at the Ankh Pension?

Pull up a chair down by the water and alternate between lounging and swimming. It’s a fantastic spot for relaxation. If you swim, keep your eyes open – as you might get lucky and see a sea turtle. Even in early November at the end of their “season” the water was comfortably warm for swimming.

The pension offers kayaks to their guests. You can have fun exploring the coastline for several hours.

Arrange to take a tour over to Kekova Island – directly across from Ankh Pension – where there is a sunken city. You can’t visit on your own.

Take a walk up behind Ankh Pension. It’s absolutely beautiful. You can tour Simena Castle though I have to say John and I just had fun exploring.

Hang out ad enjoy the view from one of the tables

The contents of the tombs in Kekova are long gone — The contents of the tombs are long gone

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The rooms at Ankh Pension enjoy air conditioning and WiFi is available. A deluxe room that comes with breakfast is approximately $Cdn 125 per night.

This is one B&B I absolutely recommend – and no my room was not comped. I wrote this post because Ankh Pension is truly one of the most wonderful and peaceful B&B’s I have ever had the pleasure to stay in.

You can check rates and book thePension here– and if you do make it a minimum of three nights!