Hi,

Going to Larespark july this year looking forward to it never been to this part of Turkey before. Looking at the hotel website it looks great.

HI Footiemadmum,

It does look stunning from their website- hope you have a great time. I will be interested to hear how you get on The area appeals as it sounds very like Playacar in mexico, which we loved. That was the same, good all inclusive hotels with a small shopping centre. The shops satisfied our need to get out when we weren't on full day excursions. We tended to have a couple of days R&R at the hotel and then a day out sightseeing etc which made for the perfect break, so really looking forward to Turkey, it's just a long time to wait

Pam

Hi Footiemadmum,

We went to Larespark Hotel last August (2006) and we are going again this year 30th July to 20th Aug, so I think that confirms how brilliant we think the place is. We suggest you look at our comments under the Larespark Hotel forum. If you want us to comment on anything specifically, please let us know

Enjoy you holiday!

Paul

Hi Paul,

Could you please tell me what the dress code is for the resturants at night do men have to wear long trousers or can they get away with cropped trousers, also is it better to take euros, turkish lira or english money.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed your holiday there must admit we are looking forward to going as we have never been to that part of Turkey before.

Thanks
Jane

Jane,

The dress code is fairly relaxed. Shorts, 3/4 length trousers are very acceptable. The temperature at Larespark in July/Aug often reaches 100 degrees F and I am talking about night time!!! Seriously it is so hot out there, last Summer it reached 150 degrees faranheight (hottest for 5 years apprently).
With regards to currency, we took a mix, but mainly Turkish Lira. To our surprise the most common use of currency is either Dollars or Euro's (even though they're not in the EEC) and they looked surprised when we offered their local Lira currency.
Please feel free to ask me any further questions

Paul

Hi Paul,

thanks for that was at the holiday village in Turkey last year and was very hot there as well, looking forward do trying another part of Turkey this time especially as tickets arrived today only three and a half weeks to go. Can you tell me what water sports are avaliable on the beach and is it safe to swim in the sea as my son loves swimming in the sea

Jane

Jane,

In response to your two new questions;

The Private beach at larespark is beautiful. There is a Bar that provides Hot Dogs/Panini's, Ice Creams as well as Drinks (all free of course). Also a small pier for sunbathing. Lots of sun-beds.

With regards to Water-sports, between the Titanic Hotel (which we were allowed to enter via the beach and use their waterpark too) & Larespark Hotel the Watersports are situated. All non-motorised watersports are free ~ Pedelo's, Kayak's/Canoe's. At a cost you can hire jet-Ski's, speed boats, banana boats etc. Also at the other end of the beach there are Quad-Bike's for Hire which cost around $20 for 15 minutes, you can ride them on the beach ~ they also arrange excursions in-land, but we didn't let our kids do this, they just rode them on the beach.
The Quad-Bike hut is also where you can arrange for Scuba diving trips. Dogan, who runs the Scuba diving school comes to the Larespark Hotel pool every afternoon and you can snorkel/scuba dive in the pool first to see if you like it (this is free).

On the beach the water is very shallow and safe and there is a life-guard permanently on the beach watching for kids messing around or acting dangerously. Your kids will love the beach, as did mine.

Bye for now!

Paul

Hi Paul

It sounds brilliant-just wish we were going this year instead of next!! Are you legitimately allowed to use the Titanic waterpark, or do they just turn a blind eye? What about drinks etc with them being AI as well, are you allowed to buy them once you are in there?

What are the family rooms at the Larespark like- there will be four uf us in one room, are they a reasonable size?

Thanks for all the information, it's really good to know what's what. It seems a relatively undiscovered hotel for Brits at the moment, although it looks that good I can't understand why. I guess it doesn't help that FC have it on the internet and not in the brochure.

Thanks again

Pam

Hi Pam,

To access Titanic legitimately you can arrange a visist via reception, just explain you are from next door at larespark (with First Choice) and you can walk around. However, we entered the pool complex via the beach. There is security on the beach but they ignored us and never questioned us when we went into the Titanic entrance. We never tried to order food or drinks, just used their pool/slides etc.
Larespark does not have a wrist band policy and I don't think Titanic has either.

A room for 4 (or family room) is slightly bigger than a room for 3 (double room). We had both last year; this year we have one person less travelling with us so we will have 2 x double rooms (for 6). A room for 4 means you will get a double bed (or 2 x single beds pushed together, we got this and asked for a double bed, which they were happy to change), plus a single bed and a sofa bed ~ all of which are comfy and the room has lots of space.

The family rooms overlook the pools/sea and the double rooms over look the sides of the complex and don't really have sea views. Larespark has 5 star restaurants, activities & entertainment, however the rooms are very ordinary and are more like 3 star, nice but ordinary. Also the Air-con trickles out of the vents and the rooms are never cold just slightly warm which is no good when its been 120+ all day and you are trying to get ready at night!

Larespark is predominantly occupied by Russians (about 85%) the rest of the residents are made up of Brits, Scandinavians, Germans, French etc. We prefer resorts that are not over-run by 'Brits abroad' and for that reason we love the place. long may it be a secret from the British masses!!! The fact that only a few Brits are there at anyone time ensures that the Brits that are all there tend to look out for each other and get along, probably more than if it was all British, if you know what I mean?

You will enjoy Larepark, I am confident of it. If you have anymore questions, do not hesitate to ask

Paul

Thanks for the reply Paul- sounds perfect. Like you we aren't into the whole Brits abroad thing.My worst nightmare would be a resort lined with English bars all offering English breakfasts I like to mix with other nationalities, so do the kids, it's all part of the experience for them to come home having made friends with kids from elsewhere.

Hopefully they will do something about the AirCon as my husband inparticular struggles with the heat at night. So long as the rooms are comfortable, I don't mind that they aren't luxurious as you shouldn't be in there that much.

What trips do FC offer? We like to get out and about if we can. I would certainly like to see the historical sites and a trip into the mountains to go rafting would be good, although my youngest at 9 may be too young.

Hope you have a great time again this year and any new tips for next year would be brilliant.

Pam

Hi Paul,

Thanks for answering all my questions it is great appreciated. Hope you have a good holiday when you go there can't wait for ours.

cheers
Jane

Hi

Very few reviews for the Larespark at Lara this season- has anyone been or know of anyone who has gone? I know it's not hugely used by Brits as the First Choice website seems to be the only place doing it, but any recent feedback would really be appreciated.

Pam

Loads of reviews on Trip Advisor. We are going there April 29th for 12 nights. Went to Titanic ( next door) last May had a wonderful time. We picked up some people from Larespark on coach back to airport and they had all had a wonderful time. Can't wait !!!!! Denny

Thanks Denny- that is so good to hear. The reviews on trip advisor from this year haven't been too great and I was getting worried, but have reassured myself by re-reading PM's I've had from other HT members who have been.

To be honest I was even thinking about changing, but have decided not to, since I felt the same about this years holiday to Bulgaria after some really dodgy reviews and we loved it!

For the most part it seems to be the other guests who are the main complaint rather than the hotel.

Pam

We went May last year and its a great hotel. Very good food. Yes there are lots of Russians but you will get them at some of the other hotels too. I've found more trouble from past holidays when the Brits let the side down being a little too 'loud' and us and them attitude. Although when we went there were hardly any Brits, English is used as a common language and the animation team always included us. Hubby does like to join in with archery, shooting and other games so thats good. I also enjoyed the cinema (my hubby called me sad watching films on holiday) but it was a cool, relaxing break from the hot weather and a lovely little cinema. Enjoy!

Have just noticed that customer feedback has appeared on the FC website for the Larespark and for a hotel that gets such mixed reviews it is actually pretty good. Hotel and holiday overall get not far off 100% good/excellent rating, and location and food get just over 75%. Roll on August!!

Pam

Heard really good reports about Larespark. Can't wait til we go - end of April for 12 nights.!! Denny

Just went onto the FC website and had a major panic when the Larespark was no longer there, at least not that my search had found. Rang FC concerned that it had been withdrawn and not fancying been the only brits there, but panic over, it's fully booked!! We'll still be in the minority, but that is fine so long as we're not totally alone. The hotel website also seems to have been updated for this summer and there is now a kids bar, called the 'volcano' bar, so they will love that.
Looking forward to seeing this years reviews

Pam

Hi Pam, when are you off to the Larespark? We (hubby,son, his wife and our 3 grandkids, 8,5 and 2 years)are going on 29th April for 12 nights. We have been to several hotels in the area, and are really looking forward to it. Will post a review when we get back.

Denny