Your stay — Cats Garden
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The Property — Cats Garden
Cats Garden is a small, family-run 3-star hotel set back from the main road in Manavgat, a 25-minute drive inland from Side’s beaches. The lobby feels relaxed and informal — wicker furniture, a few cat-themed ornaments, and the faint smell of chlorine from the modest outdoor pool. It suits budget-conscious couples or solo travellers who want a quiet base for exploring the town and the nearby Manavgat Waterfall, rather than a resort experience.
Chronicles of Manavgat
Manavgat grew from a sleepy Ottoman-era farming village into a market town after a dam and hydroelectric plant were built on the river in the 1950s. Its architectural stock is largely low-rise concrete built from the 1970s onward, shaped by tourism growth in nearby Side and Antalya. The covered bazaar and riverfront promenade remain the social heart, drawing Turkish weekenders as well as foreign visitors. Today the city balances a conservative local culture with a steady flow of package tourists stopping en route to the waterfalls or the ancient city of Selge in the Taurus Mountains.
Best Time to Visit
Full Manavgat guide →Best months
May, June, September: daytime temps in the high-20s to low-30s °C, low humidity, and the sea warm enough for swimming at Side beaches. Crowds are thinner than in July–August, so the town feels more relaxed.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the hottest and busiest months; temperatures average 34°C and can exceed 40°C. Domestic tourism spikes during school holidays, and the town’s Saturday market is packed. Hotel prices in Manavgat typically rise 30–50% above shoulder-season rates. No major festivals, but the Side International Culture and Art Festival (usually late June–early September) draws concert-goers to nearby Side.
Budget shoulder season
Late September and October offer the best combination of still-warm weather (28–32°C) and markedly fewer tourists. Hotel discounts can reach 40% compared to August. Early November is also mild (low-20s) and very quiet, though some beach facilities in Side close mid-October.
Weather & packing
A peculiarity of Manavgat’s inland location is that summer nights can drop to 20–22°C, cooler than the sticky coastal resorts. Pack a light jacket or long-sleeved shirt for evenings, and always carry a refillable water bottle — tap water is safe to drink but often chlorinated tasting.
Live City Briefing — Manavgat
- Manavgat’s main city-centre roundabout (the 'Lion Statue') is being redesigned with a new pedestrian crossing expected to finish by July 2026; expect minor traffic delays.
- A new fast-food and retail block opened in spring 2026 on Atatürk Boulevard, opposite the old municipal market, giving more quick-dining options near the hotel.
- The Manavgat Waterfall park has updated its entry ticket system to contactless payment only — bring a credit or debit card; cash is no longer accepted at the turnstiles.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cats Garden, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high-floor room on the side facing away from the main road. Upper floors (4th and above) are quieter and catch more breeze if windows open.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — lifts are audible. Also skip rooms directly above the lobby or bar area on floor 1.
Best views
Ask for a room with a side or rear view overlooking the local neighbourhood or the small park to the east — avoids the main road dust and traffic.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 (top) are generally quietest due to distance from street and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Manavgat's main road runs past the front: expect bus and taxi noise, especially early morning and evening. The bar runs until 11pm most nights — music and chatter carry to front-facing rooms.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on floors 4–6 when booking by phone or at check-in; the hotel often honours high-floor requests if you ask politely. 2. If you're driving, the free car park fills by 9am — arrive before then or use the paid lot 100m down the street.
- 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 — Cats Garden
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas, speed up to 30 Mbps. No login required; just connect and accept terms.
One lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Local Turkish daily (Sabah) can be bought at reception for 5 TL.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop is free from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 is free; after 12:00 costs 50% of the room rate until 18:00.
Free luggage storage available at reception for arrivals before check-in and departures after check-out.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Lift is narrow – not suitable for oversized wheelchairs.
On-site free parking for 10 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is 150 m away at Manavgat Belediyesi Otoparkı, 50 TL per night (after 18:00) or 10 TL per hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in room rate for 3-star hotels in Manavgat as of 2025)
Deposit & card hold: Full pre-payment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates hold 50% deposit. On arrival, a 200 TL incidental hold per room is taken by card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Fatih Camii (356 m · ~4 min walk)
- Mosque: Side Kemer Cami (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Outlet — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Yavuz Gökmen Parkı — 727 m · ~9 min walk
Side Müzesi — 2.0 km · ~26 min walk
Amphi-Theatre (Seats) — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Lollo & Bernie Club — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Denizbank — 127 m · ~2 min walk
Engindeniz Eczanesi — 545 m · ~7 min walk
Esra market — 104 m · ~1 min walk
Side — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Turkish Lira, TRY
Use ATMs inside banks for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist-area exchange bureaus that give poor rates.
Credit/debit cards work in most hotels, supermarkets, and larger restaurants; small shops and market stalls expect cash.
Round up the bill at restaurants, or leave 10% for good service. Taxis: rounding up to the nearest 5-10 lira. Hotel staff: 20-50 lira for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Turkish tea (çay) from local kıraathane or casual tea garden, around 10-15 TRY.
A dürüm (wrap) or pide from a local pideci, about 80-100 TRY.
A simple mains dish like Adana kebab or a plate of köfte, around 120-150 TRY at a local lokanta.
Kokoreç, midye dolma, and simit from carts near the river bazaar and bus station area.
BİM, A101, and ŞOK are the budget supermarket chains common here.
Manavgat Market (weekly Saturday bazaar) for cheap clothing; also LC Waikiki on the main street.
Minibuses (dolmuş) within town cost about 10-15 TRY per ride; from Antalya Airport book a shared airport bus (HAVAŞ) to Manavgat for around 70-80 TRY.
Eat at lokantas (home-style restaurants) away from the riverfront. Fill a reusable water bottle at public fountains (çeşme). Buy fresh produce and snacks at the Thursday street market instead of supermarkets.
Good to know — Manavgat
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₺47.17 · TRY
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Manavgat, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cats Garden
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Denizbank — 127 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Engindeniz Eczanesi — 545 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Manavgat bus station → Defne Hotel (along side road)
💡 Flag down any dolmuş with 'Side' on the front — they all pass Defne. Pay the driver directly; exact change helps.
Defne Hotel → Manavgat Waterfall (local attraction)
💡 Cheaper than the hotel's concierge booking. Ask the driver to wait 20 minutes while you visit the falls — they'll charge half the return fare.
Antalya Airport (AYT) → Defne Hotel, Manavgat
💡 Agree on the fare before you get in; airport taxis charge about €50–€60 one way. Pre-book with a local firm like Manavgat Taxi for €45 flat rate.
Antalya Airport (AYT) bus stop at arrivals → Manavgat bus station (otogar)
💡 Get off at the Manavgat stop, not Side — then take a local dolmuş (minibus, €0.50) to Defne Hotel. The shuttle doesn't run late; last one leaves around 22:00.
About Manavgat
Wikipedia ↗
Manavgat is a municipality and district of Antalya Province, Turkey. Its area is 2,351 km2, and its population is 252,941 (2022). It is 75 km (47 mi) from the city of Antalya. The Manavgat River has a waterfall near the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cats Garden?
Request a high-floor room on the side facing away from the main road. Upper floors (4th and above) are quieter and catch more breeze if windows open.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cats Garden?
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — lifts are audible. Also skip rooms directly above the lobby or bar area on floor 1.
Is Cats Garden noisy?
Manavgat's main road runs past the front: expect bus and taxi noise, especially early morning and evening. The bar runs until 11pm most nights — music and chatter carry to front-facing rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Cats Garden?
Ask for a room with a side or rear view overlooking the local neighbourhood or the small park to the east — avoids the main road dust and traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Cats Garden?
1. Request a room on floors 4–6 when booking by phone or at check-in; the hotel often honours high-floor requests if you ask politely. 2. If you're driving, the free car park fills by 9am — arrive before then or use the paid lot 100m down the street.
What time is check-in at Cats Garden?
Check-in at Cats Garden is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cats Garden have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas, speed up to 30 Mbps. No login required; just connect and accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cats Garden?
None (included in room rate for 3-star hotels in Manavgat as of 2025)
Where can I eat cheaply near Cats Garden?
A dürüm (wrap) or pide from a local pideci, about 80-100 TRY.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cats Garden?
Minibuses (dolmuş) within town cost about 10-15 TRY per ride; from Antalya Airport book a shared airport bus (HAVAŞ) to Manavgat for around 70-80 TRY.
When is the best time to visit Manavgat?
May, June, September: daytime temps in the high-20s to low-30s °C, low humidity, and the sea warm enough for swimming at Side beaches. Crowds are thinner than in July–August, so the town feels more relaxed.
Top Attractions in Manavgat
💡 Best in early morning when the river is quiet and herons feed along the edge. Free public Wi-Fi near the clock tower.
💡 Go early (around 08:00) to avoid the crowds and haggle harder near closing time when vendors are keen to sell.
💡 Bring mosquito repellent in summer. The on-site tea garden sells cheap cay and gözleme.
💡 Combine a visit with a walk along the harbour for sunset; the ruins look dramatic in low light.
💡 Skip the overpriced cafe by the entrance; buy simit and water from the bakery on the main road heading out of town.