"Wow! What an amazing time we had!
Our first holiday abroad as a blended family, myself, my partner and our 6 children aged 13-18yrs for 10 days.
The hotel is located perfectly in my opinion.
At the top of the main strip, just far enough but not too far.
A nice stroll to the shops, the beach and even the blue lagoon all reachable within 25mins. There's also a Dolmus stop 6 mins away to get to Hisaronu/Fetiyhe etc.
The hotel itself.
I would say the PERFECT size. Not too busy and all spaced lovely, it felt very cosy and private, not too over crowded.
We felt comfortable allowing the kids to roam where they liked, felt very safe.
LOVELY and clean everywhere you went!
I loved the combination of the pool side and grass to add some colour, right at the side of a mountain with all the paragliders in the sky daily.
The food, just amazing!!! 5*
Breakfast - There was always different choices of egg daily, you could have a fresh omelette or fried egg made for you, boiled and scrambled on buffet.
Beans, mushrooms, sausages and crepes. Lots of choice of cheeses, meats, breads and fruit.
Cereal and milk, jams, honey and spreads.
Coffee machine and juice machine.
Only downside was no fresh fruit juice, it was just dilute and water. But was still lovely and refreshing!
Lunch and dinner - the bar was open for soft or alcoholic drinks.
Food, SO many fresh variations of salad, pasta/potato salads. There was a good variety on a daily basis to change it up a little.
Staple foods for fussy eaters were chips, cheese, nuggets and a lovely pitta type bread with cheese or a meat topping.
The other warm foods consisted of usually a chicken and fish dish, rice, different variations of potato, either mash or seasoned wedges.
Some nights there was noodles, spaghetti bolognaise, fajita style chicken strips, AMAZING jacket potatoes.
Puddings were different variations of cakes/sweet treats.
The cakes always looked amazing, different colours and buttercreams but we realised they all tasted very similar. No issue in my opinion and the kids were always happy!
One evening they did the traditional Baklava which was to die for, I'm glad they didn't do it every night as I'd have got fat! Haha!
There wasn't one evening that I felt disappointed with the taste or choice and would highly rate the hotel for this alone!
The staff were all very pleasant and your plate once you were done, was gone before your eyes in seconds.
The bar staff all also very pleasant, efficient and polite!
The rooms, we all stayed in block 7 which was right next to the restaurant area.
My daughters in ground floor family room 706, which had been recently modernised. Lovely and clean with an area on the front to leave floaties and dry towels/swim wear.
Mine and my partner's room 716 was directly above them (as we requested)
It was a disabled room that they'd put a double bed in for us. At first I wasn't overly happy but the larger space and bathroom with large walk in shower turned out to be good for us. One downside was the balcony looked directly out onto the restaurant so you always had to have the curtains closed for the sake of the guests eating while we changed.
Our sons above us in twin beds 725, again perfectly suitable for them and clean.
Internet according to the kids was hit and miss, particularly the top floor which was surprising considering how close we were to the restaurant. I didn't notice in 716 but I wasn't on my phone much.
So I'd highly recommend if you have kids, to get sufficient data. I can also highly recommend Ariive.esims, fab prices and worked like a charm!
The pools - yes getting sunbeds were sometimes a challenge and towels were out early.
Getting 8 loungers for us was an issue but we somehow managed as they were usually in the pool.
The adult pool which was aged 16 and over was also brilliant and relaxing, most of us chilled there tbh.
The bar area - always had nice cold drinks whenever you liked. We drank mostly soft drinks, pepsi/coke, Fanta and sprite (not the real versions I don't believe but still nice) Water in little cartons that you could get as many as you wanted.
Efes beer and another on tap.
Not big drinkers which was good tbh as that was the biggest let down.
The lack of choice for alcohol.
All the cocktails were vodka or gin based with different flavour juices and were served between 7-11pm which was the busiest time at the bar.
They did have some dark rum too but again didn't have it much.
Entertainment/animation team - Eren and Betty we spoke to alot and were super friendly and easy to talk to. Lovely people!
They were always around encouraging people to join in with the activities but I never felt any pressure to.
Water aerobics every morning.
Different games though the day, I would say mainly aimed at older children/adults, but there wasn't many small kids about during our stay so maybe that changes.
The crazy frog dance was a highlight for us and is officially assigned as our holiday song! :)
Evening entertainment, we didn't see much of due to going out and about. But the evenings we did see were always fabulous and upbeat! Dancers, gymnastics, even the older teenagers were saying 'Wow, how good was that!' So definitely sufficient for the family to enjoy!
The beach party - Held every Sunday 3pm-7pm £10pp, your picked up from the hotel in a mini bus at 3pm and taken to Green Pine beach at the blue lagoon.
Don't do it. Maybe our expectations for the blue lagoon were too high, but personally Green pine beach looked more like Shreks swamp. The water was NOT blue, it looked dirty. The beach was overcrowded and loud, you could tell it was a scheme to get money from people as more and more bus loads arrived after us. No sun loungers (all taken) But we were told 'don't worry we will get you some'
As soon as we got there we wanted to leave.
We didn't stay long enough to witness the party itself, so maybe that made up for it?...
Days later I spoke to the animation team manager and did get a 50% refund (£40) apparently to cover transport costs. I couldn't be bothered with arguing so accepted.
But save yourself the money.
They did a free shuttle bus daily to Sugar Beach (I believe it was) which is better I've read and also Beach 222 did free loungers through June, so go anywhere but Green Pine.
Billy's, Seahorse and Beach 222 are all fab I've heard.
The spa - Adem the manager is a gentleman and super friendly. I sent him a WhatsApp prior to us arriving and booked a 'Before sun' treatment on the firat day we arrived, which turned into a deluxe treatment. A full Turkish bath, salt rub, foam, hair wash, and an hour long massage afterwards. A PERFECT start to the holiday and I would recommend, it definitely got me in the holiday mood and I think helped my skin alot as I've never tanned so well! (I usually burn but I didn't!)
The ladies names were Mimi and Jasmin, both lovely, polite and very good at what they do!! Thank you all!
Hotel Photographer- Metin. You'll find him around the pool bar and he will do a photo shoot of your family every day between 6-8pm. We highly recommend this!
£6 a photo but be prepared to fall in love as he takes 100's and we ended up buying a package for £120. Worth every penny though! How often are you all out, together as a family, dressed up lovely, abroad and in a beautiful garden or by the pool.
All our kids loved their photos and felt like models, fab experience for them. Metin was a lovely gentleman, very professional and directed everyone very clearly and got some amazing shots. Take some money and do it! :)
I think I've covered everything!
I would say as a tip, if it's your first time in Olu Deniz.
Go to Cosmos for cocktails and dancing/karaoke, awesome night out! Even the teenagers enjoyed a cocktail or 2!
Book paragliding! AMAZING experience!
We went with Tatil dostum!
Book scuba diving! Again, AMAZING!!
We went with Mermaid Diving Club.
Book a pirate foam party boat! LOVED this, the kids all thought it was fab and the locations are stunning! Take snorkels!!
We went with Dragon boat!
Babadag cable cars - Get there at 5:30 and see the sunset, stunning!
Fetiyhe market (Tues/Fri) if you go, don't take your daughters! With 4 girls and myself we were hounded like prey. Awful experience, but they got their fake Coach bags so....
I would 100% return to Turquoise Hotel.
Olu Deniz is a beautiful place!
The beach - stunning!
The strip - lots to see!
Just overall an amazing experience and one we will not forget!
We will be back 🇹🇷"
