Also if anyone just returning could advise what the evening entertainment is now like on the holiday village side (pALACE)

Last time i went HV Turkey was 2007 when they had split the 2 hotels i went over to the Tropical side ordered drinks from the bar etc without any questions used the slides sun beds etc.
But i have booked the Tropical side for this August can any one answer if you can use the palace side any restriction etc the whole site is so big so wouldnt know how they could control access etc

Cant believe nobody posting re the Holiday Village, usually the biggest forum on here!!

Any news from anyone who recently came back about using facilities at the former Tropical??

I had my worst holiday in living memory at this place and wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy to be honest.

To be fair, and correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you go when it first opened in 2005? We were there in it's second week and it was indeed a bit of a nightmare but we returned in 2007 and had one of the best holidays we have ever had.

I too would be very interested in learning if they have segregated the two properties now as we do intend to return one year.

Yes Duncan, you are correct, perhaps a bit of a knee jerk reaction from me. I am the type though who goes on the "once bitten twice shy" theory and the memories of being on a drip and feeling unwell for most of the time havent faded yet!

Wow, was that from the mozzie bites? I remember someone on crutches when we were there was that you?

I don't blame you for being negative about the place in that case but as I said, we went back 2 years later and had a wonderful time.

I went in 2006 when the complex was The H/V then following year when Palace side was just H/V that year you could still wander over to the tropical use there pools and even get drinks at the bar, restrurants you couldnt use though.
Just wanted to know any whos gone this year is can you wander over to the palace side.

Went on First Choice website last night and read the recent reviews. One of them states that there is now a fence dividing the two hotels which are manned by the security guards so I guess that means defo cant use the facilities at both hotels as in previous years.

Have just read on a few reviews that you can walk via the beech if you want to, will wait and see what happens only 41 days to go

Currently looking for a holiday for my small family (OH, 2 kids age 8 & 12) and got to admit I was hoping for a bargain but they seem in short supply these days. However, DD saw the HV and thought it looked like a great holiday as not many places have a kids club for 12 year olds.

However, would have to say after reading reviews on Trip Advisor, Holiday Uncovered and now here I am more confused than ever.

We like the look of the Village but would not stay in every day as we'd want to go out and see a bit more of Turkey. Plus after reading the Watchdog reports we're wondering if it's safe for our health. OH read a report that people were getting ill last year.

Some folks say the food is lovely, others awful and they have gone round about the same time.

Oh what to do? Shall I look into booking the HV or look into somewhere like Ephesia Holiday Beach Club in Izmir instead.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks folks

I haven't been back since 2007 but there were reports of illness back then too. All I can say is that we had an amazing time. The food was the best we have ever had on a holiday, the room was large and comfortable. I did get the ear infection though that was going around and had to see the Doctor.

The kids clubs ar open every night until 11pm and back then spaces were limeted and you had to sign the kids in and oit. Which meant you had to get in the queue early. (Not sure what it's like now though.)

If you want to get out and see Turkey then be warned, the HV is isolated and the town of Sarigermie is tiny. Unless you plan to hire a car, this may not be the place for you?

Thanks Duncan. We would like to get out and about and see a bit of Turkey and since we would be using public transport (not keen on driving abroad) then I think you are right...we need to look elsewhere.

The Dolmus stopped outside the tropical in 2007 but only went as far as Sarigermie village. You may be able to get another one from there to somewhere else but as we never did that, I can't honestly tell you.

there is a small town a few miles from sarigerme you can get to it by dolmus . but to be honest it is just a local town nothing touristy about it. you can get a cheap trip to marmaris for about £5 each . you spend about 5 hours there. i went to the holiday village 2 septembers on the trot in about 2008/2009 i think . first year was ok it was solely first choice and everyhing was fine. the second time it was absolutley garbage . we where there when watchdog where there testing food etc. the hotel had changed owners from iberostar to a turkish firm so i dont know if the switch had anything to do with it being rubbish . there where also posters from other travel agents around the hotel which suggested to me that it would no longer be solely first choice .

i will not go there again but thats my decision other people may enjoy it . but there are better hotels out there for the same or less money do some research.

one more thing i hate drinking from plastic glasses especially when they have been used 20,000 times and are rough enough to cut you.

Thanks for your advice. We have decided not to go there.

Dont blame you one bit Foxie......the place is awfull!!

Just back from Holiday village this was our 4th visit since it opened in 2004.

Chillout bar a great addition this time and the restaurant was much larger than before. I think this hotel is a superb hotel and this is why i have returned to it several times. Unfortunately though the hotel itself has improved greatly the good old brits do let it down somewhat (which is not the hotels fault)

I would not return to the Holiday village again now for that reason. Large loud families all bearing tattoos are the norm here now.

Such a shame

Im on the Tropical side and still here till Saturday, did try and wonder over to the HV side which was by accident when we arrived last Tuesday night but was stopped by a security guard. havent seen one at the century box since though.
All guests on this side seem to be well behaved with the exception of que jumping - all the entertainment is in english the isnt too bad either - quite a few brits here.