Dean-Traveller
February 15, 2024
Disappointing is the word to describe our stay at Barida Hotels in Isparta. Nothing like the luxurious relaxing break suggested by the hotel and booking site web pages. There were some positives. The hotel is on a main road into Isparta from the north so it is easy to find. There is a large underground car park with direct lift access to reception. The lift does not go to the upper floors despite the buttons being there for those floors. This is positive for security. Staff offered to bring our car from the car park. It is easy to walk into the centre of Isparta and the bus station is 100 metres from the hotel, as is a large shopping centre which has a range of eateries. The room was large and the bathroom had adequate towels and cleaning products. Powerful warm shower. Kettle and coffee with bottled water in the fridge. Clean room and bathroom. But... The top floor restaurant with the al la carte menu and long range views was closed. The indoor swimming pool was only usable for a few minutes as both air temperature and water temperature were cold. The steam room was also too cool for comfortable use and there was no water to place on the coals in the sauna. Staff remembered to charge for swimming caps before using the pool, which was fair enough, but staff did not offer towels nor advice on the available facilities. We even had to ask for directions to the changing rooms. We booked a room with 2 beds, but we were given a room with one bed. The non-smoking room was confirmed at reception, but our room had cigarette damage to the furniture. The small of cigarette smoke was so bad that our clothing stank of smoke when we returned home. There was one set of slippers and robe in the room for 2 people. There was information about TV channels in the room but no other information about the hotel. Changing temperature on thermostat made no difference to air conditioner / heater and warmth of the room. The room key was needed to activate the lifts to go to floors with bedrooms which is a good think, but the system did not work in one of the lifts. Breakfast was usual for a Turkish hotel and all was buffet with no eggs cooked to order, that I would expect at this price point. Sausage mixed with egg so no vegetarian egg option. Soup, salad, cheese, cold meats and pastries all good. Waiters served water to some tables, but not to us and after obtaining water for one person, none was offered to the other guests at our table. We are clearly foreign guests, but we speak some Turkish. Service advice not given in any language. English spoken at reception. Overall it felt like the staff lacked training and care. On our next trip to Isparta we will stay elsewhere.