Who did you go away with? My four-year-old son.

Where did you stay? The Leytur Hotel

What did you think of your accommodation? The Leytur has recently been refurbished and the rooms are brilliant: spacious and completely spotless. The swimming pool has been extended and is much bigger than others in the area. It is quite deep but children have their own separate mini-pool. One thing that lets this hotel down is the neighbouring Leda Hotel: I chose the Leytur because it is in a rural, mountainous area. I imagined nothing but the sound of crickets and the odd whirr from a moped in the evenings but instead I had to put up with painful renditions of ‘I Will Survive’ booming out from next door into the early hours. It is a shame someone can’t pick up the Leda and drop it down the road in rowdy Hisaronu. We stayed half board, which was very cheap. Breakfast was brilliant and dinner looked good for meat-eaters but it is the first time in my travels that I have ever felt I am causing a big inconvenience by being a vegetarian. If the owner was around, she made sure I got a proper dish but otherwise, I was given a plate full of dry grilled vegetables and a shrug. This is a great hotel base for exploring the surrounding area though – clean and friendly, what more do you need?

What was the weather like? Hot, hot hot – well into the thirties every day and one nice cooling thunder storm. We didn’t need the air conditioning but in high summer I think you would need to hire a unit. All that pool space to cool off in is brilliant but obviously keep kids out of the sun.

What was your favourite part of the holiday? An evening wander round Fethiye Bazarr – definitely don’t go in the middle of the day when it is too hot and busy! Also the boat trip to Butterfly Valley. Ovacik is in between Olu Deniz, (where you’ll find a protected Blue Lagoon and the most photographed beach in Turkey) and Fethiye, a fishing port and busy tow. You get the best of both worlds, just hop on the regular dolmus that stops literally every few minutes along the main road.

Any hidden gems you’d like to share with our readers? Sugar Beach Club: This Caribbean-style beach club on the shores of the salt water lagoon serves excellent food and does relaxed live entertainment, day and evening. Accommodation is in gorgeous brightly-coloured beach bungalows but you don’t have to be a guest to come and use the facilities. Look out for turtles when you go snorkelling or take a pedalo out on the lagoon. There’s well-equipped children’s play area in the shade and a massage therapist on site too. It costs about £8 a day for a pair of sun loungers and parasol. Tucked away at the end of the lagoon, you really do feel like you’ve found a hideaway.

Would you go back and if so, would you stay at the same hotel? I think we would go back to the Turquoise coast but try to stay somewhere more rural on the Lycian Way. Ovacik is beautiful with its mountain backdrop and olive groves but the tackiness from Hisaronu seems to be spreading towards it, which is a real shame. I went expecting absolute tranquility and got a bit of a shock! Ovacik is a great base for exploring a beautiful part of Turkey, if you’re prepared to travel round a bit and the Leytur offers quality, value-for-money family accommodation.

Hays Travel offer great deals on holidays to Turkey. Call them on 0800 408 4131 or build your own trip using the perfect flights, transfers and accommodation here.

Gorgeous gardens and a mountain backdrop at the Leytur

“I’ve got a budget of a grand for two of us. I would like to go away in either August or September, for either seven or ten nights, preferably flying from Manchester. My main stipulation is that the destination must be hot and have a beach. Some local markets would be nice, as would excursions to nearby islands. Ideally, we’d like to go self catering, but we’ll consider full or half board.” – Wes.

Ok – first of all, if it’s a choice between August and September, choose September every time. August is entirely given over to the school holidays so the prices are much higher. There are some really good cheap holiday deals to be had once the children go back to school. You can still get great weather in September, especially in Turkey, which is where we recommend you go. You say you want a self catering holiday, which suggests you like to eat out; with this in mind, you need to factor in spending money. With the Euro as strong as it is, it’s a good idea to seek out destinations that have a different currency (in this case, the Turkish Lira.) You’ll get loads more for your pound.

If there are just two of you, consider bed and breakfast instead of self catering: most self catering apartments sleep up to four people, which is best value if there are four of you to share the cost. We thoroughly recommend the hotel Harman in Calis Beach on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. This charming three star hotel is located a pleasant ten minute stroll from the seafront promenade with its wide selection of restaurants. More importantly, the Harman has a dazzling reputation with outstanding reviews from previous guests. The staff offer impeccable service and many visitors return. It’s not always the swanky five star hotels that offer the best stay and the Harman is proof of this.

Calis Beach is on the outskirts of Fethiye, a fishing port that has plenty of tourist amenities but still manages to retain an authentic Turkish atmosphere.  Stroll along the harbour in the evening for a relaxed ambience and loads of great value eateries. The makets here are much better than in the other beach resorts further along the coast, because they cater for locals as well as visitors (meaning less tacky rubbish for sale!) There’s a particularly good market in Calis on Sundays, just a ten minute walk away from The Harman.

You might just want to relax around the lovely pool at your hotel, or on the beach at Calis. If you did fancy some culture though, the area has it in droves, with lots of interesting archeaolgical sites, mud springs and Turkish baths. Your spoilt for choice when it comes to those boat trips too, explore the stunning route made famous by African Queen, or spend the day sailing round the turquoise bay of Fethiye and take in 12 local islands.

The stunning Turquoise Coast

Be Travel Savvy: Hays Travel has ten nights bed and breakfast at Hotel Harman, departing Manchester on 2nd September 2010 from just £319 per person. This price includes return coach transfers and 20kg of checked in baggage but in flight meals are an optional extra. It costs £10 to gain entry to Turkey, payable on arrival at the airport. Click here to book or find out more.

Prices correct at the time of blogging but subject to availability and change. Holiday provided by Hays Travel Ltd. Call 0800 408 4130 for a quote for your departure airport / dates.