Every September and every June, the same scene plays out in Bornova: students enrolling at Ege University and Yaşar University, along with families arriving for graduation ceremonies, fill the district's hotels. Those who come without a plan are pushed out to the city centre or end up paying premium rates. This guide is written so those two weeks go smoothly for you.
Why are these two periods so busy?
The reason is simple but its effect is large: thousands of families arrive in the same week, within the same few kilometres. Hotel capacity, meanwhile, is fixed. When demand spikes all at once, rooms become hard to find and rates rise. This is not particular to İzmir — it happens in every university city. The only thing that makes a difference is when you book.
When should you book?
The short answer: as soon as the date is announced. Call the day the enrolment calendar is published, or the day the graduation date is confirmed. There is no such thing as a "last-minute deal" in these weeks; on the contrary, every day you wait removes options.
Even if your dates are not yet fixed, do not hesitate to call — we can talk through a flexible range and settle on the best day together.
Enrolment week: practical preparation
Enrolment day is really a moving day. You will have bedding, kitchen items, winter clothes and most likely a suitcase full of other things. That is why our free car park is the feature that helps most in this week: leave the car at the hotel, move things up to the room comfortably, and load up again when you head to the dormitory.
Settling into a dormitory does not always fit into one day; between queues, documents and signatures it can stretch to two. If that is a possibility, booking two nights from the start is far more relaxed than looking for a room afterwards.
Graduation: the logistics of ceremony day
On ceremony day the area around the campus locks up with traffic and finding a parking space becomes nearly impossible. Staying within walking distance — or a short drive — removes that morning's stress entirely. The Yaşar University campus is 1.1 km from our hotel and the Ege University campus 3.2 km.
There is usually a celebration meal afterwards. The places in the Bornova bazaar and Forum Bornova (1.7 km) are close and practical for this; for larger families, booking a table in advance is wise.
Visits during term
Beyond enrolment and graduation, there are parents who come to see their child during the academic year. These visits usually fall at weekends, and Bornova is busy at weekends. Booking from the Friday guarantees a room.
On these visits the hotel works as a base: breakfast together in the morning, sightseeing during the day, dropping your student back at the dormitory in the evening and resting. If a day frees up, our things to do in Bornova route fills half a day nicely.
What to bring
The enrolment-day list varies from family to family, but a few things are common to everyone: copies of identity documents, bedding for the dormitory, enough basics for the first week, and some cash. Because Bornova has plenty of supermarkets, stationers and pharmacies, you can pick up whatever you forgot here — there is no need to carry everything from home. Forum Bornova is 1.7 km away and practical for larger shopping.
If you need a longer stay
Some families stay on for a few days after enrolment to help their child settle: looking at flats, buying furniture, getting to know the area. For stays like these it makes sense to call and ask about a special rate; speaking directly usually produces the best result.
For reservations and information: (0232) 461 95 95 — find us on our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you find a hotel in Bornova during enrolment week?
Hotels fill very early during September enrolment and June graduation weeks. You need to book as soon as the date is announced; waiting for a last-minute deal does not work in these periods.
How many nights should I book for enrolment?
Settling into a dormitory sometimes stretches to two days because of queues and paperwork. If that is possible, booking two nights from the start is far more relaxed.
Will parking be a problem on graduation day?
On ceremony day the area around the campus locks up with traffic. Staying within walking distance, or a short drive, removes the problem entirely.
Is there a discount for longer stays?
You can ask reception about rates for extended stays. Speaking directly by phone usually produces the best option.