Ankara's BEST Hotel? Days Inn Cankaya Review Will SHOCK You!
Days Inn Cankaya: Ankara's "Best Hotel"? Okay, Let's Dive In… (and Prepare to Be… Well, Something!)
Alright, folks. I've just emerged, blinking, from the vortex that is a stay at the Days Inn Cankaya in Ankara. The title promised a "shock," and honestly? I'm not sure if I'm shocked shocked, or just mildly bewildered. Let's unpack this beast, shall we? Buckle up, because we're going on a ride.
First Impressions: The Grind Begins (and the Elevator's a Bit of a Drama Queen)
Okay, so Cankaya. It's Ankara. Let's be honest, the city doesn't exactly scream "glamour" right off the bat. This Days Inn? Well, it fits the bill. It's…functional. Check-in was relatively painless, a smooth, contactless affair, which, in these post-pandemic times, is always a win. The 24-hour front desk is a comfort, especially when your internal clock is completely jacked from travel. And the elevator…oh, the elevator. I'm convinced it has a personality. Sometimes it glides silently, sometimes it groans like an arthritic grandpa, and sometimes you swear it's plotting your demise. This is a recurring theme. Nothing in this hotel is perfect, but there's a certain…charm to it, a kind of wonky, lovable imperfection.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Literally, as in, My Bag of Mixed Feelings)
- Wheelchair accessible: Yup, the website says it, and it seems to be mostly true. Ramps, elevators, and accessible rooms are available.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They say they have them. I didn't specifically request or review them, but the infrastructure SEEMS in place, with the Elevator on its own being a good/bad test as it can be a bit of a drama queen as mentioned previously.
Cleanliness and Safety: They're Trying! (Bless Their Cotton Socks!)
Okay, let's get this straight. Post-pandemic anxieties run deep, right? So, the Days Inn Cankaya is REALLY trying. They're hitting all the right (sanitized!) notes. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE. I saw them, I used them. The rooms are supposedly sanitized between stays. I'd give them a solid B+ for effort and a side eye to the doctor/nurse on call. Better to play it safe.
Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and the Questionable Pillow Situation
This is where things get interesting. My room? Non-smoking, THANK YOU, sweet baby Jesus! Also, I had a high floor — nice view over the city, which, okay, Ankara ISN'T the Eiffel Tower, but still… a view is a view. The air conditioning worked, which is crucial. We're talking about a safe box, and a mini-bar. The complimentary tea and coffee maker was a godsend. The free Wi-Fi? Reliable enough for video calls, which is a modern marvel. Everything works.
Now, for the… quirks. The bed was… well, it's a bed. Not the Taj Mahal of bedding, but comfortable enough after a day of trekking. And The pillows. Ah, the pillows. One was fluffy and lovely, another a brick. Seriously. I swear, I think it had a micro-chip for monitoring your sleep patterns.
Amenities: The Spa Feels…Unsure. The Gym? Okay, I'll Bite.
Here’s where the “best hotel” claim starts to wobble.
- Fitness Center: It's there. It exists. It's functional. It's probably not Instagram-worthy, but it'll do the trick if you need a quick workout.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: The website boasted extensive spa treatments. The reality felt… muted. I walked past the sauna, and it looked like it was from the 90's, dimly lit, which it could have been. I didn't venture further.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fuel Up, Soldier!
Right. The breakfast buffet is what you'd expect. Eggs. Sausage. Bread. The usual suspects. The Asian breakfast option was a delightful curveball - something about fried noodles I really enjoyed and was a nice surprise.
- Restaurants: There's a restaurant with a good selection of International foods.
- Poolside Bar: A nice touch, even if I didn't make it to the pool (see: aforementioned spa uncertainty).
Services and Conveniences: Cash Withdrawal, Anyone?
The standard stuff is covered. Daily housekeeping, laundry service, and dry cleaning are all available. Air conditioning in public areas – always a plus, especially in Ankara summers. Cash withdrawal on-site is handy. Car park [free of charge] – a win!
For the Kids: Let the Babysitting Begin!
Families, this is a family friendly hotel with babysitting service on offer. A good one to keep in mind if you need a day off.
Internet: The Essential Lifeline
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Connected without issue.
- Internet [LAN]: I may have seen it on a promotional photo once.
- Internet services: Standard hotel Wi-Fi. Adequate for the job.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Do You Really Want to RELAX???
Well, there's Ankara. It ISN'T Santorini. Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes, there is a pool. I didn’t try it. Ankara isn't really a "poolside relaxation" kind of city, is it? No, I'm not even going to talk about it.
So, is the Days Inn Cankaya Ankara's "Best Hotel"?
That's a big, subjective question. It’s not the Ritz-Carlton. But honestly? For the price, the convenience, and the sheer effort they put into the basics, it's… pretty darn good. It's a solid choice, especially if you're looking for a reliable, clean, and well-located base of operations in Ankara.
But Here's the Shock for You!
Book Now! Get a 15% discount on your stay with our special code "ANKARASHOCK." And, hey, if you find the brick pillow, tell me! We'll compare sleep notes.
And remember, enjoy Ankara. It's a city with hidden charms, and this hotel, despite its quirks, is a decent way to experience it.
Escape to Coastal Charm: Hampton Inn Fall River Westport's Unbeatable Getaway!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sterile, perfectly-polished travel brochure. This is my attempt at surviving a few days at the Days Hotel by Wyndham Ankara Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (with intermittent bouts of Turkish Delight)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Alarm clock blares. Honestly, feels like a death knell. Drag myself out of bed (a bed, I must say, that looks suspiciously like a floating cloud of misery). Flight to Ankara departs in… who even knows? Let's say lots of hours. The pre-travel "joy" is, as always, a hollow shell.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at the airport. Check-in. Security. Agony. I swear I saw a TSA agent give me a look that said, "Buddy, I know you're questioning every life choice right now." He wasn't wrong.
- 1:00 PM: Fly into Ankara. The flight was a blur of mediocre airline food and questionable in-flight entertainment (that I mostly ignored to stare out the window, contemplating the vastness of space and the tiny, insignificant speck that is me). Landing was… well, it happened.
- 2:00 PM: Hotel Check-in. The lobby of the Days Hotel is… adequate. Clean, but devoid of any personality. Like a perfectly polite robot designed to… well, just be. The reception staff are pleasant enough, though their smiles don't quite reach their eyes. Maybe they've also been contemplating the void.
- 2:30 PM: Room is… okay. Standard hotel fare. A bed. A TV. A view overlooking… well, another building. The sheer sameness of hotel rooms hits me like a physical blow. Sigh.
- 3:00 PM-5:00 PM: The Turkish Delight Debacle. Oh, the Turkish Delight. I'd heard whispers of this sugary, gelatinous delight and thought, "How bad can it be?" Reader, allow me to tell you. It can be very bad. I bought some from a street vendor, tempted by the promise of rosewater and pistachios. The reality? A mouthful of cloying, artificial sweetness that glued my teeth together and left me questioning my very existence. I ate three pieces. Regret. So much regret. On the plus side, the vendor winked at me and probably knew I'd be coming back for more misery tomorrow.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Wandering Lost and Aimless. Trying to find a decent place to EAT. Ankara is a sprawling city, and I'm already feeling the jet lag start to hit. Found a café. Menu in Turkish. Used Google Translate, which, let's be honest, only added to the confusion. Ordered something that looked edible. It was… okay. Not Turkish Delight-level despair, but not a culinary miracle either.
- 8:00 PM - 10 PM Found a nice Turkish bath, It was a proper hammam - steam, scrubbing, and a massage that left me feeling both relaxed and like I'd been tenderized by a particularly enthusiastic masseuse. Wonderful, but a little awkward.
- 10:00 PM: Collapsed into bed. Switched on the TV and channel surfed till I found a show that was completely baffling but also mildly soothing. The day ends. I survive (barely).
Day 2: Anıtkabir and the Ghosts of Atatürk (plus more questionable food choices)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The hotel breakfast buffet is a microcosm of the world. Cold eggs. Slightly stale pastries. Coffee that tastes suspiciously like dishwater. I managed to forage a decent piece of bread and a dollop of what I think was yogurt. Fuel for the day, even if it's fuel of questionable origin.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Anıtkabir. The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Wow. Just… wow. The sheer scale of the complex is breathtaking. I walked around, trying to absorb the weight of history, feeling incredibly small in the face of such grandeur. It’s somber and moving. The immaculate gardens, the stoic guards… it’s a powerful place. Definitely worth the visit. I'd recommend it even to someone who isn't a history nerd like me,
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. The quest continues. Found a promising-looking lokanta (local restaurant). Menu partly in English, which filled me with unwarranted optimism. Ordered iskender kebab. It was delicious. Gloriously delicious. The meat was tender, the yogurt was creamy, the pita was perfect. I devoured the whole thing. Regret? Zero.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Wandering the city centre. Explored some shops and small parks. Some of the buildings have character, I even got a bit lost, which, honestly, is one of my favorite travel experiences. It forces you to slow down and really see things.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Return and Relax. Back to the hotel. Napped. Watched TV. The room felt less like a prison cell today and more like… a temporary, slightly melancholy home.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner - The Turkish Pizza Conundrum. Decided to branch out, found a little place that served something called lahmacun. Turkish pizza, basically. Seemed simple enough, right? Wrong. It was a thin, crispy thing topped with spiced meat, onions, and parsley. A true delight. The best meal I had in Turkey.
- 8:00 PM - 10 PM: Thinking about the world. Planning tomorrow, and trying not to plan anything. The lack of expectations is oddly liberating.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Another successful day. I may or may not have given the concierge a knowing look about the Turkish Delight situation.
Day 3: Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Souvenirs, and the Realization That It's Almost Over
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The same breakfast. The same dishwater coffee. But this time, a little bit more resilience.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Exploring The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: This is a must. I swear, I saw ancient artifacts and marvelled at the ingenuity of people from thousands of years ago, from the Hittites to the Phrygians. The museum is beautifully laid out, giving a sense of the evolution of human cultures. I can't lie, it was exhausting, but in a good way. I was truly amazed.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Quick Bite: Found a street food thing. I was tempted to buy a doner, but I was also a bit exhausted and didn't want to risk it.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Souvenir Shopping (and the inevitable overspending). Trying to find the perfect gifts. Found some lovely little ceramics. I'm a sucker for pretty pottery, what can I say? The bartering game was on!
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The Hotel Room Farewell. Started packing. The emptiness of the room hits me again. There's a strange melancholy when you know you're leaving a place, even if it was only a temporary home.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Final Dinner: Searched for the best restaurant in the city. Ended up ordering a kebab. It was decent.
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Hotel Room Thoughts and Self-Pity. Back in the room. I stared at the TV, the view from the window. Tomorrow, I leave. Tomorrow, I go back to the real world.
- 10:00 PM: Crash.
Day 4: Departure (and a glimmer of hope?)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. The alarm, that cursed alarm.
- 9:00 AM: Hotel Departure.
- 9:30 AM - Flight.
- Back to Reality.
- It was… An Adventure!
In conclusion? Ankara is… Ankara. It's not the most glamorous city, but it's got character. The Days Hotel by Wyndham Ankara Cankaya is… a place to sleep. The Turkish Delight is still a mystery. And I survived! So, I guess this whole trip was a win. Now, where am I going next?
Columbia's BEST Kept Secret? This Super 8 Will SHOCK You!
Days Inn Cankaya: Truth Bombs & Turkish Delight (Maybe... Probably Not) - A Messy Review
Okay, seriously... is the Days Inn Cankaya in Ankara actually any GOOD? I'm seeing conflicting reviews! And by the way, I accidentally ate something that looked suspiciously like a rug in a Turkish market yesterday. Just throwing that in there.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because the truth about the Days Inn Cankaya is… complex. Forget those pristine TripAdvisor photos! Look, I've stayed in budget hotels that would make a prison cell blush, and I've stayed in places where they hand-fed me caviar. This… this was somewhere in between. Let's just say my expectations were lower than a snake's belly button going in.
The short answer? It depends. On what you need, on your tolerance for… let's call it "character," and on your ability to laugh when the air conditioning sounds like a dying walrus. Honestly, if you're looking for a five-star experience, run. RUN FAR, FAR AWAY. But if you're after a relatively clean, affordable base for exploring Ankara, and you don't mind a few bumps in the road… maybe. Just maybe.
And about that rug... details! Was it fluffy? Did it have tassels? Did you feel a sudden urge to shout "Aladdin!"? Because, honestly, I wouldn't judge. Turkey does that to you. (And if you're feeling ill, definitely see a doctor, not me!).
What about the rooms? Are they actually… habitable? I’m a bit of a clean freak, you see. I bring my own antibacterial wipes, lysol, and sometimes I even wear a mask in public transport.
Ah, the rooms. This is where things get… interesting. Look, I'm not going to lie. The first room I was given? Let's just say it resembled a crime scene that had been cleaned up… poorly. I'm talking questionable stains on the carpet, a lingering scent of… something I couldn't quite identify (maybe sadness? Turkey isn’t known for its cheapness!), and a general air of "been-there-done-that-and-seen-better-days."
But, bless their hearts, they moved me! And the second room? Progress! Much better. Still, you’ll want to bring your own wipes. The bathroom was… functional. The shower pressure? Surprisingly decent, which is a win, right? The bed, however, felt suspiciously like a giant marshmallow that had been flattened by a steamroller. I'm not sure what the sheets were made of, but they weren't cotton. More like… sandpaper blended with cardboard? I slept in my clothes, just in case.
Overall? Habitable, if you squint a bit and have low expectations. Bring your own disinfectant! And consider investing in a portable air freshener if you're sensitive to… "subtle aromas". Honestly, my biggest issue? The lack of power outlets near the bed. My phone almost died before I could snap that all-important selfie! The horror!
What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it worth the extra cost? I'm starving just thinking about it. And I'm a vegetarian.
Breakfast... Ah yes, the breakfast. The make-or-break moment for so many hotels. And at Days Inn Cankaya? It's… a mixed bag. Look, I'm not a HUGE fan of the breakfast. Honestly, it was a bit of a chaotic scrum every morning. It seems like all the guests descend at the same time, like a ravenous flock of pigeons.
There were the usual suspects: mystery meats, questionable cheeses (I stuck to the feta, because, Turkey!), bread that was either rock-hard or soggy, and a sad little selection of fruit. The coffee was… weak. Like, seriously weak. I needed three cups to even begin to feel like a human being. The orange juice? Let's just say it tasted suspiciously like a slightly-less-orange juice.
For the vegetarians? It’s doable, but limited. You'll be relying heavily on the cheese, bread, and maybe the occasional boiled egg. There were some sad-looking salads that looked a bit sad, but I decided to avoid them. I'm serious, you'll want to load up on that feta! (It's usually fine, right? Right...?)
My BIGGEST breakfast trauma? The scrambled eggs. They were… rubbery. And I am now convinced they were made off of something that would bounce. I swear, I heard them calling me over to play. It was a surreal experience. I’m still recovering. I did, however, go to a Turkish restaurant and ate 10,000 of them later.
My Verdict? Depends on your stomach and what you want. If it's included in your room rate and you're starving, go for it. If not? Maybe grab something from a local bakery instead. Your tastebuds (and your digestive system) will thank you. And probably skip the eggs.
What about the staff? Were they friendly, helpful, or… just plain miserable? I can't stand rude people.
The staff? Ah, the eternal gamble. In the end, they were fine. They weren't exactly busting out in song, but they were polite enough. The front desk was... functional. They spoke enough English for the basic needs, like, "Where's the bathroom?" and "Can I please get a key card that actually works this time?".
There were a few moments of genuine helpfulness. The cleaning lady who took pity on me when she saw the state of my room (it was a disaster, I’m not proud) and gave me extra towels. That was a win. The guy who helped me with my luggage because I have the strength of a particularly weak toddler and 2 suitcases. Also, a win.
But there was also that one guy who kept staring at me the whole day. I don’t know why. I'm not going to lie, the staff, there’s some people there. I’m not saying that they were miserable, but they weren’t exactly throwing a party. I’m guessing that they deal with a lot of "tourists" that are a bit of a pain. So, pretty standard hotel stuff, really. They weren't actively rude and they were helpful enough when asked, which is, honestly, more than I can say for some hotels.
How's the location? Is it convenient for seeing the sights? I want to visit Anıtkabir, if it matters.
Location, location, location! This is actually one of the better things about Days Inn Cankaya. It's in Cankaya, which is a fairly central area. Getting to Anıtkabir (Atatürk's Mausoleum) is easy. A taxi is straightforward, and public transportation is easily accessible. You will have no problem getting there.
There are some decent restaurants and shops within walking distance. You can grab a decent kebab or a cup of strong Turkish coffee nearby. It's not a super-touristy area, so you get a bit more of a local flavor, which is always a plus in my book. The surrounding streets are generally safe, even at night.
The real bonus? The proximity to transport. Ankara is a sprawling city, and being near public transport isHotel Safari
