Your stay — Hobby House
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The Property — Hobby House
Hobby House is a modest three-star that feels more like a well-run guesthouse than a chain hotel. The lobby is small and functional, with a reception desk that doubles as a tour-information point, reflecting the hotel’s main draw: easy access to the sunken city of Kekova and the Lycian coast. Rooms are clean and basic, with terracotta tiles and air conditioning, aiming squarely at short-stay travellers who want a bed, breakfast and a pool after a day of sightseeing. It suits independent travellers and budget-conscious couples who need a reliable base, not luxury.
Chronicles of Demre
Demre was the ancient Lycian city of Myra, a major maritime centre from the 5th century BC, known for its stunning rock-cut tombs and a Roman theatre that still hosts performances today. It later became a Byzantine bishopric and the home of Saint Nicholas (the historical basis for Santa Claus), whose 4th-century tomb lies in the town’s church. Ottoman rule brought a shift toward agriculture, and modern Demre is a quiet market town famous for its greenhouses and tomatoes. Today, its identity is split between a working farming centre and a low-key tourist gateway, with little of the flash of nearby Kaş but plenty of authentic character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Demre guide →Best months
April–May and September–October: temperatures stay 20–28°C, crowds are thin, and you can visit Myra’s ruins without queuing in the heat.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: the town fills with Turkish families and coach tours visiting the Church of St Nicholas; hotel prices can double; high season drives day trips to the sunken city.
Budget shoulder season
Late October to early November: still sunny but quiet, with discounts of 30–40% on rooms; the sea is warm, and the tomato markets are in full swing.
Weather & packing
Demre sits in a microclimate that is noticeably hotter and more humid than coastal Antalya, thanks to its inland plain—pack light cotton layers and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave without sunscreen and a refillable water bottle; the local tap is not potable, but grocery stores sell cheap large bottles.
Live City Briefing — Demre
- The Demre–Kaş coastal road (D400) has ongoing repairs after winter storms—allow an extra 20–30 minutes on that stretch, especially in late afternoon.
- A new walking route linking the Church of St Nicholas to the Myra necropolis opened in late 2025, with interpretive panels in English and Turkish.
- Several Demre tomato greenhouses have started farm-shop sales direct to visitors—try the 'Antalya' variety, which is sweeter than standard supermarket tomatoes, and buy a bag for the journey.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hobby House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from the street and lift noise, and the upper floor reduces footfall from above.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the street — Demre’s main road can be busy with local traffic and delivery trucks from early morning. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lift on any floor; the lift mechanism is audible.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms look over the courtyard and neighbouring orchards — pleasant and quiet. Street-facing rooms get a view of the main road and occasional mountain glimpses, but traffic noise is constant.
Quietest floors
3rd floor (top floor, so no noise from above).
🔊 Noise notes
Demre’s main road carries local buses and agricultural traffic (tractors, trucks) from about 6am. The hotel entrance and small lobby on the ground floor create comings and goings audible on the 1st floor. No bar or restaurant on-site means no evening noise from that, but the lift motor is near the stairwell on each floor.
Insider tips
1. Parking is on-street along Demre’s main road — it’s free but fills by 9am; arrive early or ask reception if they can reserve a spot. 2. Check-in is in the ground-floor lobby; they’re flexible with early luggage drop-off — useful if you’re arriving from the morning bus from Antalya.
- 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 — Hobby House
Free for up to 4 devices per room. Speed adequate for email and browsing (approx. 15 Mbps download). No login constraint.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. TV has local Turkish channels only. The building is a modern 2018 construction, no historic quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 (no charge). Late check-out costs 150 TL until 18:00, after 18:00 charged full night.
Free for check-out day only; longer storage by arrangement with reception – usually 25 TL per bag per day.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no adapted rooms or wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
On-site free outdoor parking for 10 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is 100 m away at Demre Merkez Otoparkı, 50 TL per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; 200 TL incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Kilise (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Mosque: Kekova Üçağiz Köyü Camii (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Palmiye Market — 265 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Turkish Lira, TRY
Use ATMs in central Demre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Antalya Airport or tourist hotels, where rates are poor.
Major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) widely accepted in supermarkets, hotels, and nicer restaurants; smaller shops and market stalls prefer cash. Contactless is common but not universal for small amounts.
Round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% at sit-down restaurants. Tip hotel staff 10-20 TL for baggage or daily housekeeping. Not expected in street food or budget eateries.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Turkish çay (tea) or Turkish coffee at a local café – about 15-20 TL.
A dürüm (wrap) or pide (Turkish flatbread) from a local eatery – 60-90 TL.
A simple grilled meat or fish dish with salad and bread at an ocakbaşı – 120-180 TL for a main.
Look for simit (sesame bread rings) and gözleme (stuffed flatbread) from small stalls near the town centre and bus station; also cheap midye dolma (stuffed mussels) along the seafront.
Discount supermarkets: A101 and BİM are everywhere in Demre; a bit more range at Migros.
Local markets (like Tuesday’s weekly pazar) sell cheap basics and fabric; for chain high street, head to the small LC Waikiki or DeFacto on the main road.
Minibuses (dolmuş) between Demre town and the coast cost about 10 TL; shared taxis within town 20 TL. The cheapest airport transfer is the Havaş coach from Antalya Airport to Demre bus station (approx 180 TL, one-way).
Eat where locals queue – avoid tourist-facing seafront restaurants. Buy bottled water and snacks at A101 or BİM, not at the Myra ruins kiosk. Haggle politely at the vegetable market for fresh produce.
Good to know — Demre
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₺46.98 · TRY
Emergency Contacts
DemreFor general emergencies and the local gendarmerie (rural police) in Demre, dial 156. For coast guard rescue along the Lycian coast, call 158. English-speaking operators are not guaranteed; have your location details ready.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Demre, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hobby House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Antalya Bus Terminal → Demre town centre (3 km from Salih's House)
💡 Get off at the main highway stop in Demre, not the terminal 1km east. Then take a 10-minute dolmuş (minibus) for 15 TRY to Salih's. Far cheaper than the taxi from the airport.
Antalya Airport (AYT) → Salih's House, Demre
💡 Agree on the fare before starting. Shared shuttles from the airport might halve this cost; ask at the tourism desk.
Demre town centre (main square) → Salih's House
💡 Call Salih directly for the local taxi number—he's known here. Payment is cash in lira; don't expect card machines.
Kaş town centre → Demre town centre (stop near Likya restoran)
💡 Flag the dolmuş anywhere on the main road—drivers stop for anyone waving. Leave from Kaş side street Yat Limanı Caddesi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hobby House?
Request a room on the 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from the street and lift noise, and the upper floor reduces footfall from above.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hobby House?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the street — Demre’s main road can be busy with local traffic and delivery trucks from early morning. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lift on any floor; the lift mechanism is audible.
Is Hobby House noisy?
Demre’s main road carries local buses and agricultural traffic (tractors, trucks) from about 6am. The hotel entrance and small lobby on the ground floor create comings and goings audible on the 1st floor. No bar or restaurant on-site means no evening noise from that, but the lift motor is near the stairwell on each floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Hobby House?
Rear-facing rooms look over the courtyard and neighbouring orchards — pleasant and quiet. Street-facing rooms get a view of the main road and occasional mountain glimpses, but traffic noise is constant.
What are insider tips for staying at Hobby House?
1. Parking is on-street along Demre’s main road — it’s free but fills by 9am; arrive early or ask reception if they can reserve a spot. 2. Check-in is in the ground-floor lobby; they’re flexible with early luggage drop-off — useful if you’re arriving from the morning bus from Antalya.
What time is check-in at Hobby House?
Check-in at Hobby House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hobby House have Wi-Fi?
Free for up to 4 devices per room. Speed adequate for email and browsing (approx. 15 Mbps download). No login constraint.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hobby House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hobby House?
A dürüm (wrap) or pide (Turkish flatbread) from a local eatery – 60-90 TL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hobby House?
Minibuses (dolmuş) between Demre town and the coast cost about 10 TL; shared taxis within town 20 TL. The cheapest airport transfer is the Havaş coach from Antalya Airport to Demre bus station (approx 180 TL, one-way).
When is the best time to visit Demre?
April–May and September–October: temperatures stay 20–28°C, crowds are thin, and you can visit Myra’s ruins without queuing in the heat.
Top Attractions in Demre
💡 Best on Saturday morning when farmers bring fresh oranges and pomegranates. Prices are lower than tourist shops near St. Nicholas Church.
💡 Cleaner than the town beach. Walk east from the main promenade to find quieter spots. Sunbeds are rented cheaply. Best at sunset.
💡 Free to wander the site. The museum costs a few lira. Take water; no shade in summer. Accessible by dolmuş from town centre.
💡 Low cost at about €10; arrive before 10am to avoid tour groups. The sarcophagus outside is a replica, the real one is in Antalya.
💡 Entrance is about €10 but the tombs are clearly visible from the road for free. Go late afternoon for good light on the carvings.