Your stay — Karatan Sitesi
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The Property — Karatan Sitesi
Karatan Sitesi is a functional 3-star aparthotel in Balikesir's suburban edge, offering self-catering studios with basic kitchenettes and a small pool. The lobby is unpretentious and practical, staffed by a receptionist who can point you to the nearest bakery. It suits budget-conscious road-trippers or extended-stay workers who need a clean, no-frills base rather than a resort experience.
Chronicles of Balikesir
Balikesir grew from a modest Ottoman market town into a regional commercial hub, thanks to its position on the road between Bursa and the Aegean coast. Its old quarter still holds a few 19th-century stone houses and the Zagnos Pasa Mosque, built around 1460. The city rebuilt heavily after a 1953 earthquake, giving it a mid-century concrete character. Today it’s quietly modernising, with a university campus and a local airport, but it remains a stopover city rather than a tourist destination.
Best Time to Visit
Full Balikesir guide →Best months
May and September offer warm daytime temperatures (22–28°C) with lower humidity than July, plus fewer crowds at Balikesir's surrounding canyons and thermal springs.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak due to school holidays across Turkey and Europe, plus the Balikesir Kiraz Festival (cherry festival) usually in late June through early July. Hotel prices can rise 30–50% in July; book early for Karatan Sitesi.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early October are the best budget shoulder months: hotel rates drop, temperatures stay pleasant (20–25°C), and tourist sites are quieter.
Weather & packing
Balikesir has a Mediterranean inland climate with hot, dry summers but occasional thunderstorms that come up fast in the afternoon. Pack light cotton layers for day, a thin rain jacket for evening storms, and always bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated in the dry heat.
Live City Briefing — Balikesir
- Balikesir's new intercity bus terminal opened in 2024, located 5 km east of the centre, which slightly extends taxi times from Karatan Sitesi (now about 20 minutes).
- The historic clocktower in the city centre (Saat Kulesi) underwent restoration in early 2025 and is visible again from the main pedestrian street.
- Several forest walking trails in the nearby Kazdağı National Park have been improved with new signage, though summer heat makes early morning hikes essential.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Karatan Sitesi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (above 5th floor) for a quieter experience, as the hotel's 3-star rating suggests a solid construction with concrete floors, which can help reduce street noise. The address on the Çanakkale-Bandırma yolu implies a main road location, so higher floors will provide more distance from potential traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the main road (Çanakkale-Bandırma yolu) as they may be more prone to street noise. The floors near the service entrance or lift may also experience more noise from staff and guest comings and goings.
Best views
Since the hotel's address is on a main road, rooms on the higher floors may offer views of the surrounding countryside or the city, but be aware that the view might be partially obstructed by other buildings or trees.
Quietest floors
5th floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the Çanakkale-Bandırma yolu may be a concern, especially for light sleepers. The hotel's concrete floors may help reduce noise, but it's worth noting that main roads can still generate some background noise.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's location by asking the staff about local transportation options to explore Balikesir and its surroundings. Request a room with a fridge if you plan to stay for an extended period or have specific dietary needs, as it may not be standard in all rooms.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Karatan Sitesi
free throughout the hotel, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary PressReader, no physical papers, historic building with original architectural details
24/7 check-in, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out up to 18:00 with a TRY 100 fee
available in the lobby, TRY 10 per item per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance, some rooms have adapted bathrooms
on-site parking available, TRY 50 per night, nearest public car park is 500 meters away, TRY 20 per day, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: TRY 5 per person per night, mandatory
Deposit & card hold: TRY 100 advance deposit + TRY 200 incidental card hold at check-in for weekdays, TRY 150 advance deposit + TRY 300 incidental card hold at check-in for weekends
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Denizkent Cami (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Elif Market — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Turkish Lira, TRY
You can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange offices, or use an ATM. Be aware that airport bureaux de change often have poor exchange rates. Try to exchange at a bank or a currency exchange office for better rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Balikesir. Contactless payments are common in larger towns, but you may need to use a chip-and-pin method at some places. Mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay are not widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 TRY for good service is considered polite. For taxis, rounding up the fare or leaving 5-10 TRY is sufficient. Hotel staff may not expect a tip, but a smile and 'teşekkür' (thank you) is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee from a street vendor costs around 5-7 TRY. You can also try a local café for around 10-15 TRY.
A budget-friendly option for lunch is a kebab or sandwich from a street food stall, costing around 10-15 TRY. Local markets like the bazaar often have affordable food options.
A hearty dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 20-30 TRY for a main course. You can also try a traditional Turkish restaurant for a similar price.
Street food areas are often found near the bazaar or in the town center. Look for vendors selling kebabs, falafel, or grilled corn.
Local supermarkets like BİM and ŞOK offer affordable groceries. You can also try the daily markets for fresh produce.
Affordable high-street shopping can be found in the bazaar or local markets. You can also try the shopping centers in the larger towns.
The cheapest way to get around is by using the local dolmuş (minibus) service, which costs around 2-3 TRY per ride. A day pass for public transport costs around 5-7 TRY.
Try to avoid eating at touristy places, as the prices are often inflated. Instead, opt for local eateries or street food.Use public transport instead of taxis, as it's more affordable and efficient.Shop at local markets or bazaars for fresh produce and affordable goods.
Good to know — Balikesir
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₺47.2 · TRY
Emergency Contacts
BalikesirWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Balikesir, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Karatan Sitesi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Balıkesir Otogar → Club Orient Hotel (Çamlık)
💡 Dolmuş runs along the main road – tell the driver 'Club Orient Otel' so he stops near the entrance. Pay cash. They don't wait more than a minute, so have your money ready.
Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport (BFF) → Club Orient Hotel
💡 Agree on the fare before getting in. Official yellow taxis have meters, but from the airport drivers often quote flat rates. For Club Orient on the Çamlık road, expect about 35 minutes in light traffic.
Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport (BFF) → Balıkesir Otogar (main bus station)
💡 HAVAŞ drops you at the main otogar, not at Club Orient. From there take a local minibus (dolmuş) to Çamlık – the 9 or 10 line passes the hotel. Total time: around 75 minutes.
Balıkesir city centre → Club Orient Hotel
💡 In town, taxis are easy to flag. If coming from the clock tower square, it's a straight shot up the Çamlık hill. Drivers know the hotel – it's visible from the road.
About Balikesir
Wikipedia ↗
Balıkesir (Turkish pronunciation: [baˈlɯcesiɾ]) is a city in the Marmara region of Turkey. It is the seat of Balıkesir Province, which is also a metropolitan municipality. As of 2022, the population of Balıkesir Province is 1,257,590, of which 314,958 in the city proper (the urban part of the distri...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Karatan Sitesi?
Request a room on the higher floors (above 5th floor) for a quieter experience, as the hotel's 3-star rating suggests a solid construction with concrete floors, which can help reduce street noise. The address on the Çanakkale-Bandırma yolu implies a main road location, so higher floors will provide more distance from potential traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Karatan Sitesi?
Avoid rooms facing the main road (Çanakkale-Bandırma yolu) as they may be more prone to street noise. The floors near the service entrance or lift may also experience more noise from staff and guest comings and goings.
Is Karatan Sitesi noisy?
Street noise from the Çanakkale-Bandırma yolu may be a concern, especially for light sleepers. The hotel's concrete floors may help reduce noise, but it's worth noting that main roads can still generate some background noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Karatan Sitesi?
Since the hotel's address is on a main road, rooms on the higher floors may offer views of the surrounding countryside or the city, but be aware that the view might be partially obstructed by other buildings or trees.
What are insider tips for staying at Karatan Sitesi?
Take advantage of the hotel's location by asking the staff about local transportation options to explore Balikesir and its surroundings. Request a room with a fridge if you plan to stay for an extended period or have specific dietary needs, as it may not be standard in all rooms.
What time is check-in at Karatan Sitesi?
Check-in at Karatan Sitesi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Karatan Sitesi have Wi-Fi?
free throughout the hotel, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Karatan Sitesi?
TRY 5 per person per night, mandatory
Where can I eat cheaply near Karatan Sitesi?
A budget-friendly option for lunch is a kebab or sandwich from a street food stall, costing around 10-15 TRY. Local markets like the bazaar often have affordable food options.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Karatan Sitesi?
The cheapest way to get around is by using the local dolmuş (minibus) service, which costs around 2-3 TRY per ride. A day pass for public transport costs around 5-7 TRY.
When is the best time to visit Balikesir?
May and September offer warm daytime temperatures (22–28°C) with lower humidity than July, plus fewer crowds at Balikesir's surrounding canyons and thermal springs.
Top Attractions in Balikesir
💡 The local pazar (market) sets up every Sunday morning along the park's edge—great for cheap fruit and street food.
💡 Free audio guide from the desk. Ask about temporary exhibitions—often rotate in local craftwork. Closed on Mondays.
💡 Visit late afternoon for the quietest atmosphere. The hamam is still operational and costs about 50 TL—try the classic scrub.
💡 Bring binoculars and visit the small on-site museum (small fee) for closer views of nesting colonies—spring migration is peak.
💡 Combine with a trip to the nearby Akhisar Museum (free entry). Walk the perimeter—hidden mosaics sometimes peek through the soil.