In 2011 Gunay’s Garden has continued to evolve and change as does our beautiful Kaya Valley. Through all the seasons of the year, always special, always timeless always offering surprises and delights to our many returning guests, new faces and those fortunate to live here all year round.

Our challenge is always to improve and refine the experience and services we offer while maintaining exclusivity. With this aim in mind we hosted as part of the Local Cultural Festival in May, an Audience with the internationally renowned author Louis De Bernieres. Louis  chose to set his prequel to Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, called “Birds Without Wings” in fictional Eskibahçe but based almost wholly on our beloved Kaya Koy (Levissi).
Many of our past guests have already confirmed their reservations for 2012 and we are filling up fast. Although 2011 saw yet another record year for visitors to the old village we maintain our peaceful hide-away where the chill factor is second to none.
Responding to your many requests we have remodelled villa 1 to offer 2 generous double or twin bedrooms, both en-suite on the upper floor retaining the terrace balcony access. Of course there is still the twin room on the ground floor with large shower room opposite.
We have also been very busy in the pool, which has been completely retiled and new steps installed.

Our dear Nursel and Saliha continue to provide our domestic services to the villas, Salim and Sebat have proved to be brilliant in the kitchen, we feel privileged to have such dedicated and caring people as part of the Gunay’s Garden Family. Mehmet, Salim’s brother, has been working hard to restore some of the January wind and rain damage. The TLC from these guys is much appreciated every day.  Many other friends, have dropped everything at various stages to assist us throughout the year, we owe them too many thanks. They know who they are and we love them.

Our pomegranate, fig, lemon, apricot, cherry and pear trees are doing well, we have introduced some more local varieties of apple and of course, more jasmine!

We have been delighted to welcome back our Yoga group guests for the third successive year and 2010 saw several fabulous weddings here beginning many happy years of very special relationships.
We have also had several block bookings of all six villas for family reunions, retirement flings and of course for the many wedding party guests, some more are planned for 2012.. It has been a real joy to arrange and support so many magical moments in the romantic setting of Gunay’s Garden.
When guests discover the romance and ambience of Kaya Koy and our little corner of it, we are thrilled. Just heard that a Lonely Planet Ap places us as one of the ten most romantic destinations!
So many of our guests agree that it’s a perfect place to make their vows privately or with family and friends, see our wedding page for more details.  We are also very proud of the candid and heart warming comments on Trip Advisor. It is impossible to be everything for everyone at all times and at best we are human, we are over the moon that so many of our guests have appreciated our dedicated efforts, and thank everyone for their feedback.

The critical acclaim received by “Izela” at Gunay’s Garden is both exciting and gratifying for all of us  but especially Tolga and his great support team Sebat and Salim. They work so tirelessly to transform locally sourced, often home grown produce, meat and fish into fabulous food that combines the very best of Mediterranean flavours. Tolga has a reputation for being a tiger when it comes to insuring the very best of fresh ingredients are used.
The selection of fine Turkish wines now being offered after a decade of New World wine experts working in partnership with Turkish producers, compliments the fine flavours of our food. Fine wine has come to Turkey!!
We have regularly enjoyed wonderfully atmospheric traditional folk music vocal, violin, guitar and flute, floating across the garden, a great “Diva” night and a superb Flamenco evening under what always seems to be our private canopy of stars.

Proud of what we have achieved, we look forward to more challenges ahead this year as well as  welcoming back our ever returning loyal guests with whom we have an excellent relationship. We feel you are a special part of the good things happening here. Thank you. We look forward to seeing you and many new faces in 2012 - 2013.

The Gunays Garden Team

February 2012



Date of Newsletter 05.02.2012