Best Hotels in Kocaeli

Hotels in Kocaeli

Due to Kocaeli’s connection to the coast, its influence in the tourism sector has been increasing day by day as people seek new alternative routes to spend their holiday. It is especially preferred by those who want to have a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the city amidst lush forests and plateaus. Kocaeli is also a place where you can explore many historical monuments and natural sites for a quality time. It is in fact blessed with a stunning nature to camp or go trekking as well as clear waters to immerse yourself in. Hotels in Kocaeli are surely among the many factors that contribute to the city’s growing popularity. At the hotels in Kocaeli, you can benefit from many services and amenities from spa to traditional Turkish baths as much as you can just enjoy the serenity of the province. The services offered by hotels vary according to their star rating, but hotels in Kocaeli have many services in common. If you want to spend your holidays far from the center of Kocaeli, Kartepe and İzmit are one of the first areas that come to mind. The Kartepe region especially gets a lot of attention in the winter as it hosts one of the most famous ski centers in the country, hence respectfully earning its place in the lists of top destinations for winter getaways. If you are remotely interested in a quick trip to this lovely city on the coasts of Marmara, keep reading on to learn more about the best hotels in Kocaeli!

Must-See Places in Kocaeli

You can go beyond the classic hotel holidays with a nature holiday in Kocaeli. While enjoying the summer in Maşukiye, a popular district of the city, you can crown your winter getaways with a quality accommodation option among the wide spectrum of Kocaeli hotels. However, you shouldn’t be restricted to your hotel room during holidays regardless of how comfortable and luxurious it is. Top recommendations to explore while in Kocaeli include the following places:

• Kirazlı Tableland: An immense picnic area located in Maşukiye, Kirazlı Tableland is one of the most visited places in Kocaeli, receiving considerable attention especially from nature lovers. Here you can have a picnic, quality walks or just be one with nature in peace.
• Faruk Yalçın Zoo (Darıca): Open for visitations everyday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Faruk Yalçın Zoo or Darıca Zoo is by far the most known zoo in Turkey, hosting hundreds of kinds of animals.
• Kefken: A budget-friendly alternative to the popular summer resorts in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, Kefken’s popularity has been growing rapidly for the last decade. In this neighborhood, you can enjoy the sea in its soft sanded beaches.
• Archeology and Ethnography Museum of Kocaeli: A must for the history geeks, this museum is the place where you can see important archaeological artifacts from different civilizations and periods such as the Paleolithic age, Hellenistic period as well as the Byzantine period and Ottoman era.
• Hobbit Houses: By far the most iconic symbols of the city, Hobbit Houses are in the Ormanya Wildlife Park which is the 4th largest wildlife park in Europe. Even though it is a tourist attraction, many locals flock to the area to have a picnic with their families and loved ones.

Boutique Hotels in Kocaeli

Rather than sharing the same limited space with a large group of vacationers, you might want to go to a simpler, much more private area. In that sense, boutique hotels in Kocaeli shine out as they are not only secluded from the bustling city, entwined with nature, and oxygen-rich but also offer quality services at affordable prices. Such hotels are mainly located in Darıca, Maşukiye, Karamürsel and Kartepe districts which also constitute the most popular neighborhoods in Kocaeli. The capacity of boutique hotels is usually 10-15 people, therefore, they are perfect for a weekend getaway. You can fully cherish the tranquility at these boutique hotels nestled at the foot of lush forests and mountains. Also, there are no seasonal restrictions when it comes to visiting Kocaeli's boutique hotels. You can enjoy the summer in the boutique hotels close to the sea or with pools as much as you can have a cozier holiday experience during wintertime.

Choosing boutique hotels close to the city center also makes sense as they provide an easy access to the places on the route. Needless to say, regardless of the hotel type you end up choosing, accommodation in Kocaeli will turn out to be something else - that is for sure!

Bungalows in Kocaeli

Kocaeli Forest will bring you closer to your dream vacation as you will be charmed by its grandeur. As the city is rich in natural sites, camping areas and bungalow complexes are quite common. Thanks to the bungalows in Kocaeli, you can open the door to a unique holiday opportunity for your whole family before the spectacular views of the lush forests and majestic mountains. In the morning, you can freshly start your day with a village breakfast in a small bungalow by the lake or at the heart of a forest where you can feel the warmth of wood. Bungalow hotels are generally concentrated in İzmit and Kartepe districts and they make the cheap hotels in Kocaeli unless they provide luxury services which is rare in this concept. They are mostly preferred by those looking for a secluded spot to get in touch with their inner worlds or have some privacy with their loved ones, away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.

How to Get to Kocaeli?

Kocaeli offers the pleasures of the sea, sand and sun trilogy during the summer season, with the ability to meet the expectations of its guests despite high occupancy rates for hotels that appeal to different tastes each season. Likewise, winter is a busy season as the city hosts some of the best ski centers and mountain resorts in the country. That being the case, one question arises in the minds of the prospect visitors: how to get to Kocaeli? Being a neighbor of the world famous metropolitan which is no other than Istanbul has its perks, to say the least. Only 108 kilometers from Istanbul, Kocaeli comes with various transportation options each of which is more hassle-free than the other. The transportation network is indeed highly developed due to its location in the Marmara region and on the strategic routes. If you are to come from a nearby city, buses will be more convenient and cost-effective. If you are coming from Istanbul, you can even reach Kocaeli by using metro or municipality buses that go to Kocaeli Bus Terminal. Rental or private transportation is also available and highly recommended for an easier and pleasant journey. Likewise, you can use Kocaeli Cengiz Topel Airport if you decide to opt for the airway.