cultivateds
May 3, 2025
So close to being the best – but the evenings (and a few other things) let it down. We’ve just returned from an 11-night stay at this hotel, and while there’s so much to love, there are also some real frustrations that stop it from being an “absolutely would return” destination. It’s right on the edge of greatness — a few improvements would take it from good to exceptional. --- What was brilliant: Fantastic family facilities: The outdoor areas are genuinely impressive. There’s a great five-a-side football pitch and a basketball court — both of which were big hits with our children. But what really stood out was how safe these specific areas were. Let me be clear — I’m only talking about these two zones here: the football pitch and basketball court are completely enclosed, with high fences topped with barbed wire and no access from the outside. Kids can’t scale the fencing to wander off, and no one can climb in from the street. As parents, that gave us real peace of mind. You can let the kids play freely without worrying they’ll end up outside the resort grounds. Slides and pools: The slides are brilliant — fast, fun, and suitable for both kids and adults. Pools were clean, plenty of sunbeds available, and staff kept things well maintained. The staff – a standout feature: Every single staff member we encountered was friendly, helpful, and professional. From reception to entertainment, chefs, waiters, and housekeeping — they all created a genuinely positive, welcoming vibe. We never experienced poor service, and that really elevated the whole stay. Bar service and drinks: Bar staff were prompt and efficient, with a decent selection of drinks — local beers, soft drinks, unbranded spirits, iced coffees, and even Baileys. The spirits are quite weak (one whisky we saw was just 19%), but given Türkiye’s relaxed drinking culture, that wasn’t unexpected. We just grabbed a branded bottle from a shop to top up our mixers — problem solved. Food quality and variety: The restaurant is large and well-run, with a truly impressive range of food. From Turkish favourites to international staples, there’s something for everyone. You could easily enjoy: A full English breakfast each morning — eggs, sausages, beans, hash browns, toast. Family-friendly options for picky eaters like burgers, chips, nuggets, and pizza. Lighter bites like sushi, fresh salads, and grilled vegetables. Hot chocolate and a good coffee selection. A wide variety of lovely desserts — cakes, pastries, and fruit that changed daily. Everything was replenished quickly, tables cleared efficiently, and even at peak times it didn’t feel chaotic. A real highlight of the stay. WiFi – surprisingly excellent: No charges, and it worked everywhere. We were getting speeds of 20–30 Mbps — more than enough for streaming, video calls and social media. Great to see a resort not cashing in on WiFi like many others do. --- What really let it down: Evening entertainment – poorly planned and extreme