Hi Harry!

We wanted to let you know what happened to us and where we have been since we left you early on the morning of 8 November. It hardly seems possible it could have been so long ago! We enjoyed Bodrum and our weather was beautiful but windy. We were amazed at all the yachts in Bodrum and all the US registered yachts we saw! We enjoyed seeing the castle and the Mausoleum. We left there on Sunday morning the 11th and headed for Pamukkale. We had decided the distances were too far to come back to center from Selcuk. Renting a car was fun but the cost of petrol is a real budget breaker! We took a van "tour" to Aphrodisia one day and spent a whole day exploring Hierapolis and the travertines at Pamukkale and then spent another full day at the ruins of Laodicea (Laodykia). They are really working on the excavations there and it was interesting to see an archeological dig in action. We want to go back in several years to see the progress they have made.

From Pamukkale we headed to Alasehir (which is the site of ancient Philadelphia--one of the Seven Churches of Philadelphia) and spent a night there. Then we headed to Akhisar (which has a city block of ruins from the ancient city of Thyatira) and from there on to Bergama where we spent four days. Then it was on to Canakkale and Troy and the site of the Battles of Gallipoli. Today we have traveled to Iznik and will be here until Monday morning when we will head back to Istanbul.

Next Thursday we fly to Rome where we will pick up a cruise ship on next Saturday for our journey back to the US.

We want to thank you once again for all your assistance and hospitality. We really enjoyed our time at the ANZ Guest House and hope to come back some time in the future. Please give Simon our regards as well as Ali.

Your friends,
Michele and Keith Grimm — Nov 2012

I stayed at the ANZ Guest House on May 11 and 12 during my recent visit to Turkey. I had a wonderful time in Selcuk and a very special welcome at your guest house.

The room was perfect, the breakfasts were good and the hospitality was extraordinary. The dinner on the roof was excellent.

I had a very good time in Selcuk. I got to see what I wanted to see: St. John's Basilica, the Isa Bey Mosque, Ephesus and the Ephesus Museum. The best part was meeting people. That's really the reason I travel. You, Ali Baba and another man who name I have forgotten were all so helpful and friendly.

I have recommended your guest house to others and I will continue to recommend it. Thank you so much for being an important part of my trip to Turkey.

Sincerely,

— Neil Van Steenbergen — May 2012

Thanks again for a great stay! We loved our time at ANZ Guesthouse. Your hospitality was truly unmatched and we appreciate everything. We will be back!

— The Koch Family, from North Carolina, U.S., April 2012

100.00% Liked: This place really felt like home. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay. The hostel provided bikes and we cycled our way to Ephesus and the Artemis Temple. It was a memorable experience.

— Through Hostel Bookers, 20 April 2012

This is such a gem! The breakfast is superb, the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere can't be beat. I love it!

— Caitlin Frazier, through Hostel World, 19 April 2012

91.40% Liked: Harry is soooo helpful and the terrace is beautiful.

— Through Hostel Bookers, 13 April 2012

91.40% Liked: Good breakfast, easy walk to Ephesus, friendly owner and staff, clean, nice rooms, comfy bed.

— Through Hostel Bookers, 2 February 2012

Hope you and your family are well!! I was passing through all mail addresses and noticed that I never thanked you by mail for a nice staying in your Hostel. Even though the weather was lousy, we enjoyed being your guests. Good luck.

— Leon and Dragica, from Slovenia, April 2012

I just wanted to thank you again for your pleasant welcoming. I traveled a lot and tried a lot of guesthouse but yours have something special. I really felt at home although the atmophere was new for me me. The terrace on top as well as the view is very pleasant. The "host family" is very welcoming, kind and helpful. I really enjoyed it and can only recommend it if you stop in Selçuk.

— Cyril Guyot, from France, September 2011

Harry, my stay was short lived but it has left a positive impression on me. The look and feel of the place, the instant camaraderie and the home services were excellent. Why would anyone stay anywhere else while in Selcuk is beyond me. I came across it by the magic of the internet and I left there happy.

Thanks again,

— John, Canada (currently in Sudan), June 2010

PS Maybe next time you can do something about the heat. It was pretty hot at Ephesus! :)

Hello to Harry, Ali Baba and Mehmet I recently stayed with two friends at ANZ and we wanted to thank you for your hospitality, advice and assistance (pick-up at the bus station, etc). Our only regret is we were unable to stay longer. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and look forward to returning again in future. Wishing you continued success in your business endeavours. Cheers!

— Greg Ramsay, Montreal, Canada, October 2009

Hello folks ..... we're back home in Canada and wanted to thank you all very much for your help in arranging a tour of Ephesus while we were there on our cruise. Harry very graciously pulled together a tour guide and car that turned out to be excellent. The timing and custom tour was exactly what we had hoped for. As I'm sure you all know, Ephesus is an incredible place to visit and the entire Turkey experience exceeded expectations.

My thanks to you all and especially to Harry for making the last minute arrangements....

— Dave and Ann Rogers, Canada, September 2009

Hi —
Just wanted to thank you for your hospitality when we visited. We are back in New York and enjoyed our stay and ANZ. Thank you again!!!

— Francine Mancini, October 2008

Thank you for your service. Everybody in my group loved their stay and the barbecue was amazing. Your hospitality was incredible, and I will eagerly recommend you to anyone who is going to Selcuk. Thank you.

Sincerely,

— Kerry Storms, June 2008

Dear Harry,

I wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful hospitality I experienced at the ANZ Guesthouse. You have such a beautiful setting, overlooking the Temple of Artemis below and the Church of St. John above.

Also, I wanted you to know that I always felt very comfortable — even proud — of taking my guests into your establishment, whether it be Crisler, Genghis, Asuman or even Anton Bammer back in 2003.

And it's not merely your hospitality and setting that adds value to ANZ, but even the food is excellent. I enjoyed each and every one of my dishes at your place — Simon is so much the perfect chef! In fact, the food looked so good that I took pictures of it. For me, presentation is everything!

I hope to be returning to your wonderful guesthouse sometime by the end of next month.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,

— James Rietveld, May 2008

Our stay at ANZ Guesthouse was the highlight of our trip to Turkey last summer. Harry and Simon and the rest of the crew really go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. I left my passport there and Harry offered to fly to Istanbul to make sure I got it in time for my return flight home!

Harry and company have the best information on local attractions, great dinners on the roof, and a generally laid-back attitude that is hard to beat. The clientele at the ANZ is so very interesting too! People from all over the world there to enjoy the beauty of Turkey and the hospitality and warmth of the Turkish people. I will always remember my stay at the ANZ and I recommend it to anyone who likes to travel off the main tourist track.

— Gwen Sancar

Hello Harry, Simon, Turik (Alex), the lovely woman who helped with the bathroom (never caught your name), the guy who served me my breakfast (sorry I forget your name) and Mom and Dad in the side apartment.

Thank you so much for your hospitality. It was great meeting you all and being your guest. I'm spreading the news that your spot is the spot to be in Selcuk.

Turik (Alex), thank you very much for the interesting conversations. You are a wonderful person.

Hope to see you all again. Keep in touch, I'll be back to see more ruins in the summer! Take care,

— Susan Little, Canada

We've been in Turkey for three weeks and this is by far the best place we've stayed. Highly recommended!

— Andrew Pawson, Canada

Great place! We came for a couple of days and ended up staying a whole week.

We particularly enjoyed the three day trek in the mountains. Thanks Steve!

— Astrid Godin, Canada

Of our whole European trip, our stay at the ANZ Guesthouse was by far the most enjoyable! When we go through our vacation photos with friends and family, almost everyone finds themselves wishing for a Turkish vacation with a long stop at the ANZ Guesthouse).

We certainly hope that the new Iraq war is not affecting your business too much. Hopefully we were able to send a few guests your way: everyone we met that was going even close to Turkey, we told them all about the ANZ Guesthouse and gave them clear directions.

— Chad and Nicole, Alberta, Canada

My husband and I had our honeymoon in the Middle East, and whilst in Turkey we had THE BEST time overall in Selcuk. Steve and Harry were fantastic hosts — they bent over backwards to help us out. Thanks guys! The room we stayed in was just perfect and those yummy meals on the magical rooftop terrace were awesome — and all for a reasonable price. We will be back someday!

— Sarha Howard, Australia, Queensland

Harry and Steve were wonderful hosts, nothing was too much trouble. The room was bright and airy, the roof terrace with it's backgammon boards, magazines and TV was fantastic, the beer was COLD and cheap and the excellent food (Thanks to Simon) was the best I tasted in Turkey (especially the delicious huge homemade muesli). You have set the standard that others will have to follow...Thank you!

— Nadine, London, UK

In a word, EXCELLENT!!! 2nd time back to Turkey, 3rd time back to ANZ Guesthouse!! Steve and Shaannon ROCK! Simon's cooking is the best in Turkey!! If you come to Turkey and only go to one place stay here!!!

— Ralph McLean, Canada