Hotels and accommodation in Elazığ

Elazığ sits on Turkey's eastern plateau, boxed in almost completely by water. Lake Hazar, a 22-kilometre rift lake that plunges to 213 metres, sits to the south, and the vast Keban reservoir, fed by the Euphrates, spreads out to the north. Locals half-jokingly call the province an inland peninsula for how thoroughly the two lakes wrap around it. It's a slower, outdoorsy corner of the country, more mountain lake than big city, and easy to miss if you're only passing through.

Food's a big part of the appeal too. The region's version of çiğ köfte, hand-pounded raw meat and bulgur with a good hit of pepper, is on every menu, alongside Harput çorbası, a soup unique to the old town, and Öküzgözü and Boğazkere, two grape varieties genuinely native to Elazığ's vineyards.

There's a good stay to match most trips here, a lake weekend, a family visit, or a stopover before you head further east. Most travellers base themselves in the city centre, then day-trip out to the lakes and the old town of Harput from there.

Where to stay in Elazığ

Elazığ's hotel scene is concentrated in one spot, with the surrounding towns better suited to a day out than an overnight stay. Here's the honest lay of the land:

• Merkez (city centre): the practical base for almost every trip, and home to nearly all of Elazığ's hotels, from simple pansiyons to full-service chains. You're a short taxi ride from Harput and about half an hour from Lake Hazar.
• Harput: the old hilltop town, all grey stone houses and citadel walls that catch the light beautifully in the late afternoon. Hotel listings here are thin on the ground, so treat it as a half-day visit from the centre rather than somewhere to book a room.
• Sivrice: the gateway town to Lake Hazar, with picnic spots and boat hire along the shore. Accommodation options are limited, so most visitors drive out for the day and sleep back in Merkez.
• Keban: sits right on the edge of the Keban reservoir, a proper inland sea with mountain views on every side. Another spot better suited to an afternoon than an overnight stay, at least for now.

How much is Elazığ accommodation?

A night in Elazığ averages around AU$100, which makes it one of the more affordable city stays in Turkey.

• Pansiyons and budget guesthouses: From AU$39 per night. Simple, family-run rooms within walking distance of the centre.
• Budget hotels: From AU$61 per night. Private bathrooms and breakfast, without the extras.
• Mid-range hotels: From AU$87 per night. On-site restaurants and the odd sauna or steam room thrown in.
• Boutique hotels: From AU$136 per night. Design-led rooms and more personal service.
• Full-service and business hotels: From AU$169 per night. Pools, spas, gyms and conference facilities, built for travellers who want it all handled.

Top-rated hotels in Elazığ

• Four Points By Sheraton Elazig: a sauna and pool deck to unwind in after a day of sightseeing, plus the kind of business-hotel polish that comes from running 129 rooms properly.
• DoubleTree By Hilton Elazig: a rooftop terrace built for watching the sun drop behind the hills, with a Turkish bath and sauna downstairs for the morning after.
• Ramada by Wyndham Elazig: guests consistently rate the hammam and steam room as the property's best feature, and it's easy to see why once you've tried it.
• Park Dedeman Elaziğ: a pool deck with proper sun loungers and its own Turkish bath, good value for what you get at the mid-range end.
• Elazig Windy Hill Hotel & Spa: an indoor pool with a separate kids' pool and a garden out back, making it the pick for families.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Elazığ

• Base yourself in Merkez: unless you specifically want to be lakeside, stick to the city centre. Harput, Sivrice and Keban are worth the drive out, but none of them have much of a hotel scene of their own yet.
• Sort a car or transfer first: if Lake Hazar or the Keban reservoir are on your list, arrange transport from the centre before you go. There isn't much to fall back on once you're out there.
• Filter for "sauna" or "Turkish bath": several of the newer hotels, Ramada, Windy Hill Spa and Park Dedeman among them, have proper hammam facilities built in. Worth using the filter if that's part of your trip.
• Mid-range rooms go first: the market here splits between big chain hotels at the top and pansiyons at the bottom, so the handful of properties in between tend to book out earliest. Lock those in ahead of time if you're on a budget.
• Don't write off a listing with no reviews: a few of the smaller pansiyons show zero reviews or sold-out rooms rather than bad ones. It usually just means they're new or quiet, not a red flag.

Keen to see more of eastern Turkey while you're out this way? Check out Traveloka's full range of Turkey hotels, from Lake Van to the Cappadocia balloon fields.