Suzie Turkey is lovely and the quality of accomodation brilliant .

For your requirements you would probably be looking at the Antayla airport stretch better known as the Med coast.

You need to have a read through some of Triblebums posts . She has a vast knowledge bank of various hotels in Turkey and makes some very imformative posts. I will have a dig through for you in the morning .

lyn

Hi Suzi . sorry it's been one of those days today.
i've had a look through some old posts and theres a few here that might be of interest .

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=140689&p=1411243#p1411243

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=140429&start=40

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=141089

lyn

The WOW resort in Gumbet sounds as if it could be everything your after. Short transfer from Bodrum.
Lovely Gumbet nearby or Bodrum & some great places to explore. The WOW Is rated no. 1 on TA ;0)

p.s Hope your going to wear THAT perfume

Suzie .
The Susesi though dearer is worth every penny and it is exactly what you want according to your list of needs.Just let your O/H read the many reports on here about Turkey and the Turkish people and i can promise you he will be convinced. And once he has been there he will fall in love with it just as we all have .
They should change the name to GREAT TURKEY ,because you get great people ,great hospitality,great hotels ,great food ,great weather and when you return you will have made many great friends .

I think you can guess i love the place.
Peter

Thanks to everyone for your help. We booked and paid for the Susesi yesterday - we were so excited for a few blissful hours-until the Travel Agent cancelled it because the price had been advertised too low so they said they were well in their right to take it away from us!!! We are a very unhappy/disappointed couple at the moment.

Back to the drawing board for us now but I do think OH is very interested in going to Turkey after your comments and a bit more research.

P.S. Of course, Miss, you too?

Oh Suzi . Gutted for you both

How much of a price difference was it .Was it just way too off that it's unlikely to be available with another agent at the good price or are you still searching .

Maybe it just was'nt meant to be and you are destined for another hotel ,but then being a believer of fate that would always be my take on it .

lyn x

The WOW hotels look nice - are they next to each other and if so, can you use the all inclusive facilities in both?
Thanks for your kind words Lyn.

Name and shame. I have never known a TA to reject a booking because the price was too low. Even when a drastic mistake is made and booking ref given the majority would take the hit rather than admit their incompetance.

They told me that they can cancel a holiday if it is priced incorrectly (terms and conditions) and that is just what they did!!! - It was not their fault that it was advertised too low - so obviously it was mine for being stupid enough to believe we had a bargain. My money was taken out, I had confirmation by e-mails and others saying they hoped I would enjoy the holiday and asking if there was anything else they could do for me but the funny(!) thing is when they sent the cancellation notice - it said that I had cancelled it - as if!!! (It wasn't until after I booked it due to your recommendations that I looked around and realised we had paid less than half price - £1100 whereas other Companies were offering it at £2200 - £2500 so I suppose there was quite a difference!) At the moment, I do not wish to name them as we have booked many holidays with them and might do in the future but I am guessing that all of the major Companies have the same policy.

I wonder if anyone books a holiday with a Tour Operator/Agent and it is their choice to cancel for whatever reason - what is the betting they would lose their deposits or even the total price paid?
Me? What have I lost? Just a bit (big bit) of disappointment but it has taught me to be wary in the future!

P.S. It is a shame that this post is only on the Turkey forum as could apply to any Country/General Advice etc and it might not be read by others so if the Mods feel it might help others, please feel free to move it.

Suzie have a look at the Club Voyage in Belek it is a very close second to the Susesi and ticks all the same boxes as you listed .

Peter

We still haven't booked yet! Each day I half decide on a hotel and then read up about it and change my mind!
The price of the ones I mentioned origionally have shot up so we are seriously considering the WOW in Bodrum and fancy the
WOW Topkapi and Kremlin which are next door to each other so we might be able to use both facilities (can't find that out - can you help please?)
Another thing that has put us off some of the hotels is when they state that you have to pay extra for the Themed Restaurants - we don't want any unexpected surprises!
The Letoonia Resort comes to mind, we really fancied that one but there seems to be extra add ons since last year?
Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Voyage has nine ala cart's and the only one you pay extra for is the japanese which is to be expected as you get a bit of a floor show when the chef is cooking it all the rest are included in the price and each one is brilliant

Peter

Hiya somerset suzie,

First off, how awful getting your holiday taken away from you, and I have never heard of that either, but, onwards and upwards, and there are far more hotels in Turkey to enjoy.......so, not the be all and end all.

Ok, first can I say, that I would re consider the Topkapi or Kremlin Palace...........I read your remit, and you want top class 5* hotel, and there have been too many bad comments on these 2 hotels, and although I am no expert on the Lara Beach area of Turkey, I do know there are far better hotels to look at and enjoy.

Antalya is a brilliant place to find high quality hotels, especially Belek, Side and Beldibi.

4 I can highly recommend are:-

Rixos Premium.....absolutely superb, a class of its' own and so much going on you can never be bored. Secluded areas too, so peace and quiet can be found. Belek area.

Xanadu Resort. Superb hotel, highest of standards. Rooms are brilliant, gorgeous pools, death slides for the brave, and excellent a la cartes.
Belek area.

Voyage Belek. Good hotel, plenty of excellent facilities, rooms of a high standard and reasonable prices. Belek area.

Paloma Renaissance Hotel. Very high quality newly refurbed hotel. Surrounded by pine covered mountains and is a beautiful tranquil place. Good food, and plenty to do. Beldibi area of Antalya.

The letoonia in Fethiye is also a wonderful place to stay, we loved it there, and I know you have mentioned it. The hotel has been advertised has having a re furb to a high standard over the winter of 09 and I think new a la cartes have been added, plus rooms have been up graded too. We loved it here, and the Fish a la carte on the beach has a real Shirley Valentine Feel to it..................fly into Dalaman for this one.

Look at the Bodrum Peninsula, this is the most beautiful of areas, excellent transport system to take you to the wonderful towns and villages, and the sunsets are incredible.

The Rixos Bodrum and WOW Gumbet are two of the best hotels we have ever stayed at in Turkey, and we have stayed in many, also have a look at the Voyage Torba, we are going this year, although the prices have shot up................supply and demand I suspect. We are also going to the Kadikale Resort in Kadikalesi, near Turgutreis, also one you could look at.

There is a lot of talk about a new hotel that opened in 2009, the Kefaluka resort near Turgutreis(Ayakalar) I am following this one to see how it goes, one for next year? but maybe worth a look. Not many reviews for this one though, so can't really comment. There are some comments on the German holiday sites, so you could check these. Click on the translate icon, Holiday Check is a good site to look for reviews.

Just a few more for your consideration, but, like I say, there are more hotels in Turkey than you can shake a stick at, we never go back to the same one twice because there is always something better round the corner, and we have never been disappointed.( well once maybe, but that's another story.lol)

As for surcharges, yes, some hotels do have maybe one specialised a la carte (ususally Japanese) but of the ones I have suggested, most offer you all the restaurants inclusive of the price you pay.........just book a holiday to Turkey, you will not regret it.....honest.

Enjoy, and I hope you get the holiday you want.

Thanks for the input, narrowed it down to:-
Xanadu, Rixos Premium, Gloria Verde or Golf, Cornelia, Calista, WOW Bodrum and Lykia World Antalya -
then £500/£1000 cheaper for the two of us are:-
Rixos Lares, Rixos Sungate, Starlight, Melas Lara, Paloma Beach, Voyage Turbuku, Papillion Belvil, Limak Lara(?) Magic Life, Papillon or Paloma or Sentido, (several hotels) La Blanche and Kadikale.
then over £1000 cheaper are:-
Asteria Elita, Asterik, Jasmine Beach Hotel, Eftalia Village
Another question is:-I cant find the Turkiz Beldibi - is it an old Rixos hotel.
A lot of these hotels are either un-rated or have old reviews.
Are the higher rated hotels worth the extra? As it is our first time we want to book a package and we are looking for a good position where we can walk along the beach and into other hotels, see a bit of culture but mainly have a chill out holiday with good service/rooms etc. A bit of fun day and night - not just a pianist in the evenings - we want fireworks/shows etc. Oh, and a short transfer. Are we asking for too much?
Would really appreciate your views/recommendations and hope I hear from you soon - we are ready to book!

And thats your idea of narrowing it down Suzi . I dread to think how long the list was originally .

You have narrowed it down to 26 hotels, whoa I would hate to go out to dinner with you, we wouldn't have eaten before midnight,and that's without an extensive menu!Did you used to be indesicive? or aren't you sure now? Hilarious

Ha Ha. Bet you had a smile but I thought, I have nothing to lose about asking (except maybe respect!!) and I know how knowledgable you all are.
Wherever we go we enjoy it but it would be great to have it all!

Wouldn't it just

Hiya Suzie............Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, you do like to confuse don't ya?????????

Ok, well most of the hotels you are considering we have stayed at, and they are all wonderful, excellent places to stay, All have different levels of luxury, all offer a lot more than others, (even though you appear confused, I guess you will have worked out, price does play a big part in the facilities....lol)

The Xanadu, Cornelia, WOW and Rixos Premium are superb quality hotels, The Cornelia had a very welcoming feel, and the a la cartes are superb, out of these 4, the Xanadu would be the first choice, followed by the Rixos then WOW and Cornelia.All have excellent rooms, mini bars, room service, excellent bathroom facilities, and incredible a la cartes, the WOW has the least favourable out of the rooms, but, that is my opinion.

All of the Papillon hotels are superb, real value for money, and the Ayscha is one that blew us out of the water. Very few Brits try this hotel, hence the reason few reviews, but, it fills up with the Brit golfers in Autumn and Spring, and they would not go anywhere else. The food here is amazing, and the a la cartes are excellent. Entertainment at all the Papillon Hotels is above the usual standard, and well worth a look. If you are taking children, do not let the low numbers of Brits put you off, Children get along with other children, and above any hotels we have ever stayed at the kids' teams at the Papillon hotels are incredible, and go that extra mile......junior discos, own dining areas, competitions, and their own pools and slides.

The Paloma hotels are also worth a look, excellent chain of hotels, and all cater well for couples and families alike.

The Rixos Lares, is a newly taken over hotel on Lara Beach, was the LaresPark Hotel (I think) been re furbed, and is now part of this excellent chain.
We love the Rixos hotels, always offer that little something different. The Rixos Lares, and Rixos Sungate are coming up with brilliant prices, the sungate again is not one frequented by a lot of Brits, and is one that is very very big.................just up from the Paloma Renaissance, in Beldibi, so we had a quick look, it was a little too big for us, and that's the only reason we haven't booked.

The La BLanche and Kadikale are both in the best area of Turkey, The Peninsula is brilliant, beautiful and friendly. Ok, the hotels are not as swish as the ones in Belek or Lara Beach, but, they make up for it by just being amazing friendly places. The La Blanche is a total chill out holiday, good facilities, wonderful food, clean beach, and wonderful sun bathing jetties. The roof terrace to sit and watch those sunsets is just the best.
Drinks in the AI concept aren't of the best variety, but, they do some good cocktails, and have a small range of international branded drinks. Coffee and tea to hand 24 hours a day. Worth a look, and a brilliant holiday will be had by all.
We are off to the Kadikale in September, and I have done research into this one, and it seems to be a good quality hotel.
The Voyage range of hotels are excellent, and I would recommend to anyone. We are off to the Torba one in 6 weeks, and can't wait. All of a very high standard, quality staff, and quality surroundings, and far better than some of the more highly priced hotels.

All in all you have picked some excellent hotels, but, you need to narrow it down to 3, check the area out, and then give us all a shout.

For transfers Lara Beach is 20 minutes, the hotels are fabulous, but the stretch is Hotel after hotel after hotel. Belek is 40 minutes, Hotels fabulous, and a little more to see, also Belek, is a golfers paradise. Beldibi is a small town. With all these resorts, you can jump on a Dolmus (Bus) and go into Antalya, go into Side and see the Temple of Apollo, and the beach in Side is beautiful.Horse riding is also available in Belek and Sorgun (near Side), so something else to do, besides shopping.............lol

For absolute beauty and places to walk to, places to visit then fly into Bodrum. 30 minutes into Torba, 40 minutes to Gumbet and slightly longer into Turgutreis. You can visit all the other beautiful places on the Peninsula, plus the amazing vibrant Bodrum town. Jump on the ferry across to Kos for the day from Bodrum or Turgutreis, or just get on a bus and visit another beach or cove.............and lap up the sunshine.Brilliant markets and hidden restaurants to be found.

To find fireworks, then I suggest the Rixos Bodrum, 30 minutes transfer.newly re furbed, due to open 24th May for its' re launch, own Island, samba dancers, parties, Cleopatras beach, you can hire a butler for the day if you want, and just the best quality everything.............

Get booking, cos they are disappearing fast..........................

Thanks for the smiles you have given me with your postings..............."Narrowed it Down" yeah right.