Palmiye hotel and restaurant is situated in what many people say is the most beautiful bay on the entire turquoise coast of Turkey. Orhaniye is a small enchantingly peaceful village, and the two main occupations of the villagers are fishing, agriculture, (and recently a small amount of tourism). The hotel is close to the head of the bay, and is only 20 metres from the sea, offering beautiful panoramic views of the bay and sand spit.

Orhaniye is one of several bays, which make up the area called Hisaronu. Many years ago this area was called Bybassos. The goddess Hemithea's Acropolis and Kastabos are close to Orhaniye, and these historic ruins are situated about 760 metres high on the side of a mountain in a small valley. It is possible to visit this settlement from Orhaniye, via a steep road, on foot or by a suitable vehicle. The trip takes about 1 hour. A local driver is recommended. This settlement was in its prime in about 400 B.C, and it was a renowned medical centre where patients were said to be cured in their sleep, but in the 2nd Century B.C. it lost its importance, due to the conquest by Rhodes and later Rome. Parts of the town walls can be seen. The temple was built in Ionian style with some Dorian elements, on top of an older building. It was dedicated to the Goddess Hemithea, and here a sleeping cure was given to the pilgrims. There are scriptures that describe how the ill were bedded in the temple and how the healing took place.

In mythology Hemithea is the daughter of Staphylus king of Rhodes. He asked his daughters Molpadia and Parthenos to watch the harvested grapes but they fell asleep and boars ate the fruit. Out of fear for their father they jumped from the cliffs into the sea. Apollo saved them and took Parthenos to Barbassos where she built a temple, and Molpadia to Pazarcik, a small mountain village nearby. Molpadia is the one who is said to have the power to cure people in their sleep, so the villagers called her Hemitea and built this goddess the temple in Kastabos.

Beneath the temple were the village and a theatre, whose seats are barely visible today. The Kastabeia festivities were regularly held in this place, and the historian Diodor tells that these festivities were so crowded that the local taverns could not cope with the influx of visitors.

BOAT FACILITIES
Both yachts and motor boats are made welcome on Palmiye's own 12-berth boat jetty, which has free electric and water and laid moorings. There are free shower and toilet facilities, and a prompt laundry service should you require it. The beauty of its location, and the warmth of the welcome from the family ensure that boat visitors from far and wide return here again and again.