Chosen by Sabaro
Cunda Despot Evi
Restored 1862 neoclassical building, 28 rooms · Ayvalık, Cunda and Pergamon
Cunda Despot Evi, now "Cunda Callisto Despot Evi", occupies an 1862 building on Cunda Island, linked by road to Ayvalık. Restored from 2015 to 2019, it has 28 high-ceilinged rooms, including 6 suites and rooms in the old water mill; the spa is at the sister hotel, with a free transfer. Price on request for June 2027.
Price on request
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Cunda Despot Evi is the historic hotel of Cunda Island. The building, completed in 1862, lived several lives before becoming, after a long restoration, a 28-room hotel with immense ceilings. It is now called "Cunda Callisto Despot Evi". Stay here for the story of the place and for the island, eight minutes from Ayvalık.
A house that tells the island's story
The hotel's website traces the building's history.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1862 | a "despot", an Orthodox dignitary born on the island, has the house built with donations from the islanders |
| 1877 | after his death, the Ottoman Empire buys the building and uses it as a government building |
| 1921 | after the War of Independence, it becomes an orphanage and school for families who arrived in the population exchange |
| 1973 to 1986 | Turkish cinema shoots several films there |
| 1980 | the orphanage moves out; the building is abandoned and falls into disrepair |
| 2015 to 2019 | leased from the Ministry of Culture, it is restored and reopens as a hotel |
The restoration won A' Design awards for cultural heritage, according to the hotel.
The rooms
The 28 rooms, including 6 suites, have very high ceilings and white décor highlighted with gold: gilt mirrors, period furniture, tall windows and flowing drapes. Each has a Bluetooth sound system. They differ by side, sea or inland, and some by being in the former water mill. For a couple who want the sea from their room, the Superior Sea View is the one to book. Sizes are not published for every category; Sabaro passes them on with the offer.
Restaurant and spa
The hotel has its own restaurant. It has no spa: guests use the one at Cunda Callisto Hotel & Spa, the sister hotel, with a free transfer.
Location
The hotel is on Cunda Island, also called Alibey, linked to Ayvalık by road, 8 km and about eight minutes from the centre. Edremit airport is about 50 km away. Pergamon is just over an hour's drive. See our Ayvalık, Cunda and Pergamon page.
Prices
Price on request: in October 2026, no rate was published for our reference dates of 1 to 3 June 2027. Sabaro passes on the hotel's offer with your enquiry.
Sabaro's view
Who it suits: history lovers, couples who want an unusual room; see also museums and culture.
Highlights: an 1862 building with a rich past; 5.5 m ceilings; sea-view rooms; a rating of 4.4 out of 5 on Google.
Good to know: the spa is at another hotel; entry-level rooms look inland. For a more intimate house in Ayvalık old town, see CavlıHane 1885.
Room types
| Room | Size | View |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Room | 25 m² | inland view |
DetailsBathroom: shower cabin Highlights: 5.5 m ceiling, brick archway entrance; Bluetooth sound system | ||
| Superior Sea View Room | sea | |
| Water Mill Superior and Deluxe | ||
| Premium, Antique and Despot Suite | ||
Source: Cunda Callisto Despot Evi, chambres (site officiel) — accessed 22 October 2026
Facilities
- 28 high-ceilinged rooms, including 6 suites
- 1862 building, restored from 2015 to 2019
- Restaurant
- Spa at the sister Cunda Callisto Hotel & Spa, free transfer
Source: Cunda Callisto Despot Evi, site officiel — accessed 22 October 2026
Location
On Cunda (Alibey) Island, linked to Ayvalık by road, 8 km and about 8 minutes from central Ayvalık; about 46 km from Edremit airport (EDO).
Map drawn by Sabaro from OpenStreetMap data, © OpenStreetMap
| From the hotel | On foot | By car |
|---|---|---|
| Cunda harbour | 5 min (0.4 km) | 0.4 km |
| Taxiarchis Church (Rahmi M. Koç Museum) | 7 min (0.5 km) | 0.7 km |
| Ayvalık harbour (ferry pier) | — | 8.3 km |
| Edremit Koca Seyit Airport (EDO) | — | 45.6 km |
| Acropolis of Pergamon | — | 74.7 km |
Shortest routes calculated by OSRM (routing.openstreetmap.de) on OpenStreetMap data, on 23 October 2026.
Guest reviews
4,4/5
Rating published by a travel website. Verified reviews from Sabaro travellers will appear here after their first trips.
Source: Google — accessed 22 October 2026
On social media
Official accounts: Instagram · YouTube · Facebook
Post by the hotel on YouTube. It loads from YouTube, which may set cookies.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the hotel have a spa?
No, but it offers a free transfer to the spa at Cunda Callisto Hotel & Spa, its sister hotel.
Which room for a sea view?
The Superior Sea View Room, or a suite. The plain Superior rooms look inland.
Why the name "Despot Evi"?
"Despot" refers to the Orthodox dignitary who had the house built in 1862; "evi" means "house" in Turkish.
How do I get to the island?
By road from Ayvalık: 8 km, about eight minutes.
A travel advisor replies by email. Free, no commitment.