At the tip of the Izmir peninsula, Çeşme combines beaches, the Alaçatı wind beloved of windsurfers and the hot springs of Ilıca. Further south, Kuşadası is a cruise port close to the site of Ephesus. Here, warm water often comes from the ground: the selection keeps thermal hotels and city hotels with an indoor pool. I've selected 11 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Ilıca Hotel Spa & Wellness Thermal Resort (8.8/10).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
11 places shown
The pool. Two indoor pools; Expedia describes a heated indoor pool and hot springs. Temperature not specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which pools are fed with thermal water and which are simply heated.
The pool. Indoor pool; Hotels.com presents the indoor pools as thermal, without giving a temperature.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool listed by Hotels.com. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool listed by Hotels.com. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Hotels.com lists three indoor pools. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Indoor and outdoor pools. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool; the hotel says you can swim there comfortably in any season. Heating and temperature not specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool listed by Hotels.com and mentioned in Expedia's FAQ. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool listed by Hotels.com and described by Expedia. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Alaçatı comes alive mainly in summer: in spring or autumn, ask whether the indoor pool stays open.
The pool. Indoor pool listed by Hotels.com. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's temperature and opening hours before you book.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Ilıca Hotel Spa & Wellness Thermal Resort (Thermal spa hotel), with 8.8/10 (1,001 reviews · Hotels.com). Next come Swissôtel Resort and Spa Çeşme (8.8/10) and Cumbalıca Garden Hotel (8.8/10).
None of the places selected in Çeşme and Kuşadası clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Ilıca Hotel Spa & Wellness Thermal Resort, Swissôtel Resort and Spa Çeşme and Cumbalıca Garden Hotel have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Çeşme and Kuşadası gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altin Yunus Hotel & Spa | Conflicting sources on the indoor pool; rating borderline depending on the platform. | 7,8/10 | Rating too low on Expedia and indoor pool not confirmed |
| Pırıl Hotel Thermal & Beauty SPA | Thermal hotel, heated pool not confirmed and rating below the threshold. | 7,6/10 | Rating too low (293 Hotels.com reviews) |
| Labranda Ephesus Princess | Expedia describes an indoor pool, rating below the threshold. | 7,8/10 | Rating too low (Expedia) |
| Pine Bay Holiday Resort | Large club hotel in Kuşadası, indoor pool not confirmed on the pages consulted. | 7,8/10 | Rating too low (371 Turna reviews) |
Sources: Expedia, Travelocity, Expedia, Turna.
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