"Summary Highlights & Top Tips
Location & Rooms: Rooms are clean with effective air conditioning. Balconies are compact (fits two chairs and a drying rack), so consider booking a room with a sun lounger if you want more outdoor space. Ask for a roadside view if you are an early or light sleeper to avoid evening show music.
Sunbeds & Pool: Sunbed reserving before 8:00 AM is prohibited (staff collect unattended towels), but plenty of beds are available at the pool around 9:00 AM or down on the beach all day.
Dining & Snacks: Excellent patisserie, fresh waffles, ice cream, and beach restaurant options. The weekly themed dinners (Far East, Italian, Turkish) are fantastic.
Local Area: Easy access to local shops right outside the resort. The Saturday Side Market opens at 8:00 AM and is best visited early to beat the heat.
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Check-in was quick and painless, and our bags were taken directly to our room. The rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable, and the air conditioning works well. Even though the hotel was very busy (school holidays), there were no huge queues at the bar, and the strawberry daiquiris were fantastic.
The patisserie cakes are excellent and offer a welcome break from the afternoon heat. The main restaurant was packed for dinner, but we managed to find a table in the kids' section, and a waiter came around promptly for our drink orders. The lobby bar serves Guinness on tap in small glasses. We were all tired from traveling and went to bed early. The music from the evening entertainment was noticeable, but once we catch up on sleep, we’ll be out enjoying the night activities.
Day 2: Beach, Pools & Evening Fun
Slept well after figuring out that the aircon remote needs to be pointed directly at the unit to function properly! Breakfast offers a massive selection.
We spent the day at the beach, where there were loads of shaded sunbeds available. The beach bar is well-stocked with soft drinks, coffee, beer, and bottled water. The beach restaurant opens at 12:00 PM with a nice selection of made-to-order food. When one of our grandkids fainted, the resort staff were brilliant and handled the situation exceptionally well.
Getting back to the main hotel takes either a 1-minute shuttle ride or a quick 5-minute walk. We spent the afternoon enjoying more pool time, coffee, cake, cocktails, and fresh waffles. Dinner was great with plenty of variety. Later in the evening, one of the grandkids collected his prize for winning the darts competition at the entertainment stage—they hand out gold medals and custom t-shirts for the kids.
Day 3: Beach, Pool & The "Bush Tucker" Challenge
Another great day split between the beach and the pool. The food was top-tier once again. We all tried a unique dessert that felt like a hilarious "Bush Tucker Trial" for the kids and adults alike. Looking forward to hitting the Side Market tomorrow!
Day 4: Side Market & Far East Night
We went to the Saturday Side Market early (it opens at 8:00 AM). Taxis and local buses run right outside the hotel. Bus fare was €2.50 per person; for our group of 8, a taxi was around €25. It gets hot very quickly, so arriving as early as possible is key. Vendors accept any currency, and bargaining is expected—never accept the first price!
We returned to the resort to stay out of the midday sun. In the evening, we had the Far East themed dinner featuring sushi and ramen—it did not disappoint, though the wasabi definitely had a kick!
Day 5: Poolside & Sunbed Observations
There are often complaints on social media about sunbed availability, but at 9:00 AM there were still plenty available around the pool. By 11:00 AM it becomes difficult. Note that staff remove towels placed on beds before 8:00 AM, but if you prefer to sleep in, there are always plenty of beds down on the beach.
Day 6: Golf at Kaya Palazzo
7:15 AM pickup for a round of golf at Kaya Palazzo. It is a beautiful course surrounded by trees and water features, with complimentary cold water stationed along the route. Tip: Bring your own golf balls, as a dozen Pro V1s at the pro shop cost €105.
Day 7: Shoreline Walks & Gözleme
Spent the morning walking along the beach before stopping at the beach snack bar. I tried the minced meat Gözleme (flatbread), which was delicious—next time I’ll ask for spinach and cheese. Giving a small tip beforehand speeds up service! The kids loved the chocolate sauce version. We headed back to the pool around 1:30 PM and easily found a few beds.
Day 8: Pool Day & Italian Night
The majority of guests appear to be German, and while the staff primarily speak German alongside some English, ordering drinks and communicating is effortless. The pool plays a nice mix of international music.
Had lunch at the snack bar, followed by strawberries and chocolate waffles later in the afternoon. Dinner was Italian night, which was very well executed.
Day 9: Turkish Night
Another relaxing beach-to-pool day. A note on the balconies: they are compact (fitting two chairs and a small table), which works fine for drying swimwear. If you require more outdoor space, the resort offers specific rooms with private sun loungers on larger balconies.
Dinner was Turkish night, featuring amazing local dishes and traditional Turkish ice cream carved right off a giant block.
Day 10: Spa & Massage
Spent the morning at the spa for a 40-minute back massage (€40). The therapist was highly skilled and easily targeted all the tension spots. The spa offers a full range of treatments alongside a traditional Turkish Hamam, available for individuals or couples.
Day 11: Side Old Town & Market Round 2
We headed back to the Saturday Side Market at 8:00 AM to pick up extra items for the kids, then took a quick taxi into Side Town. The area is filled with ancient history, ruins, shops, bars, and boat tours—well worth the visit. We spent the remainder of the day relaxing back at the resort pool.
Day 12: Fitness & Beach Snacks
Started the day at the beach after the ladies used the well-equipped gym. The small touches really elevate this hotel—a dedicated staff member works throughout the day sweeping sand off sunbeds, collecting litter, and keeping the beach area immaculate with a smile. The chicken wrap with salad at the beach snack bar is a standout lunch option.
Day 13: PGA Sultan Golf Course
7:30 AM pickup for golf at the PGA Sultan course. Grabbed a quick breakfast and packed some pastries and sandwiches for the round. The course is stunning with plenty of water hazards and fridges stocked with cold water throughout the layout. It was exceptionally hot, but we made it through.
Tip: Because we were so active during the day, we only made it to the late-night entertainment once. If you prefer to sleep early and want a quieter room, request a roadside view when booking.
Day 14: Farewell Celebrations
Our last full day. We extended our stay to 15 days by booking early arrival and late departure flight times.
A special mention must go to the resort staff. For our large party of 9, they effortlessly moved tables, kept our drinks refreshed, and provided top-notch hospitality throughout the entire stay. The entertainment team was equally fantastic.
Day 15: Late Departure
Final day with a 7:30 PM airport transfer. Managed to secure one room until 7pm (€70) at reception, has to done on departure day and after breakfast. So another pool day! A fantastic trip overall!"