Ordu sits on Turkey's Black Sea coast, wedged between the water and a wall of hazelnut orchards that climb straight up into the hills behind the city. Roughly a quarter of the world's hazelnuts grow in this province, and you'll taste it everywhere: in the ice cream, the local baklava, even the coffee. Ride the cable car up Boztepe hill behind the old town and you get the whole picture in about six minutes: red-roofed streets running down to a curve of Black Sea coastline, tea gardens along the summit, and hazelnut groves stretching inland as far as you can see.

That mix of coast and highland gives you real choice on where to stay, from simple guesthouses in the old town to resort-style hotels built for the view. Here's how to work out where to book and what to expect to pay.

Where to stay in Ordu

• Altınordu – the city centre district and the obvious base. This is where the Boztepe cable car station is, along with the seafront promenade and most of the restaurants and shops. Good if you want to walk everywhere. See hotels in Altınordu.
• Perşembe – a quieter coastal town further along, and the usual jumping-off point for the drive up to Perşembe Yaylası's green highlands. Good for travellers who want the highlands close by without staying inland. See hotels in Perşembe.
• Fatsa – a larger coastal town west of the centre, with its own waterfront park, a pier for watching the boats come in, and a couple of decent swimming beaches. Good for a slower, more local pace than the city centre. See hotels in Fatsa.
• Kabadüz – inland and up in elevation, and the gateway to Çambaşı Yaylası, a highland plateau used for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Good for a highland base rather than a coastal one. See hotels in Kabadüz.
• Ünye – further east along the coast, a slower-paced alternative to the city centre with its own long seafront and hazelnut orchards running almost to the edge of town. Good if you'd rather be away from the main city crowds. See hotels in Ünye.

How much is Ordu accommodation?

Ordu is one of the more affordable Turkish coastal cities to book, with rooms starting from around AU$78 a night. At that price, a night in Ordu costs about the same as a counter meal back home.

• Budget hotels and guesthouses – from around AU$45 per night. Small, simple properties, usually family-run, often with breakfast included.
• Mid-range hotels and apart-hotels – from around AU$78 per night. This is where most of Ordu's hotel stock sits: modern rooms, usually a pool, often a short walk to the water.
• Boutique stays – from around AU$110 per night. Smaller properties with more character, sometimes with hillside or direct coastal views.
• Resorts and top-end hotels – from around AU$150 per night and up. Ordu's best options, mostly on the coast road or up on Boztepe, with spas, sea-view rooms and full restaurant service.

Top-rated hotels in Ordu

• Radisson Blu Hotel, Ordu – up on Boztepe hill above the city, with floor-to-ceiling windows in every room looking straight out over the Black Sea, plus an indoor pool and spa for after you've had your fill of the view.
• Anemon Kent Ordu Hotel – sits right on the beachfront a few minutes from the centre, with its own outdoor pool and an on-site Italian restaurant for when you want a break from local seafood.
• Hampton by Hilton Ordu – a reliable, modern choice on the Altınordu waterfront, with an outdoor pool, gym and the kind of no-surprises comfort the Hampton brand is built on.
• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Ordu – right in the middle of the city, with an indoor pool, a proper Turkish bath and three different restaurants under one roof.
• Otel Vona – a simple, budget-friendly option close to the centre, worth booking for the mountain-view terrace alone.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Ordu

• Want the Boztepe view without resort prices? Look at hotels around the cable car station in Altınordu rather than right on the beach. You'll still be a short walk or ride from everything.
• Book ahead if you're travelling in mid-September, when the Zümrüt Fındık Şenliği (the local hazelnut harvest festival) fills up hotel rooms across the city.
• May and September run cheaper than the peak July-August stretch, with milder weather and the same easy access to the coast and the yaylas above the city.
• Filter for a sea-view room if you're staying in Altınordu or along the Fatsa waterfront. Not every hotel on the coast road actually faces the water.
• Planning a day trip up to Çambaşı or Perşembe Yaylası? Basing yourself in Kabadüz or Perşembe instead of the city centre can cut a couple of hours off the round trip.

Ordu makes an easy add-on if you're already planning a longer trip along Turkey's Black Sea coast. Browse more hotels across Turkey to build out the rest of the route.