Marmaris is a bit like Marmite for many people - you either love it or hate it, and you will find many differing opinions about the resort on here and on other forums too. Some people rave about it and go back year after year, while others can't stand the place - but it's all about opinions.
Personally, and I stress this is just my own opinion, it's far too busy and commercialised for my liking (I can't stand Blackpool either though!) but bear in mind you don't have to spend all your holiday in the resort - there are plenty of other places not too far away to explore.

Thanks for that very honest reply. Do you, or anyone else have any other suggestions for resorts then?

I have booked for 11 nights as I said as don't want to have to rush back into work/school when we get back.
I know I would have to travel from manchester for the other coasts but thar would be ok. Am open to suggestions.

If I'm being honest if you are used to 4 and 5 star places and relatively upmarket resorts then I am not sure that Marmaris is what you are looking for. Of course Marmaris does have some quality top end accomodation but the resort itself doesn't have a top end feel. Thats just my opinion based on only having visited the resort on a couple of occasions last year but it is very much 'brits abroad' in my view.

We holidayed in Icmeler which is next door to Marmaris last year. We spent a bit of time in Marmaris both during the day and at night and whilst we didn't dislike Marmaris we were definately pleased we had chosen to stay in the more relaxed Icmeler. In our opinion Icmeler is the much nicer resort. Its quite a big resort (but not on the scale of marmaris) but a lot quieter but still has loads of restaurants and bars to choose from. For me it has a nicer atmosphere aswell although I can't really explain why I think that. I'm sure if you went you'd know what I mean. We liked Icmeler that much we are returning this year.

We are heading back to Marmaris for something like our 16th visit and both the good lady and I are in our 50's. The resort does attract a young crowd but also lots of other age groups. We enjoy our food and had found lots of excellent restaurants over the years. It is a huge resort and there are great restaurants tucked away everywhere. Great fish restaurants down at the Marina with views to die for. In October I would say the resort will be reasonably quiet as it fills up during July and August. Not a great beach but a good centre if you want to do a bit of near travelling when you are there. Small buses (Dolmus) will take you to the nearby resorts of Icmeler and Turunc for next to nothing. One bit of advice, watch the wine it can be very expensive. Any questions only happy to answer. Best to send me pm.

Wilson

It is certainly not like Blackpool as the sea is not glowing green

With Marmaris it is a massive resort which caters for everyone. If you do not like the clubs and young crowd then stay clear of bar street, likewise, Arumtalan (sp!) is alot more family friendly part of the resort and the young ones don't go there for a night out

Thanks for all your responses. I think Icmeler would have been better for us but have checked accomodation there and there is nothin left for those dates. We are booked with Thomas Cook so are restricted.

We will go to Marmaris with an open mind and hope for the best. Armed with all this advice, how could we not have good time?

What dates are you going? when i look at thomas cook for early october they are showing quite a few hotels

The Marti Resort and the Aqua Hotel are both 5 star.
They are also showing Fortuna Beach, Marti La Perla and Mersoy Bella Vista which are all 4 star hotels.

Sorry, just noticed that you have mentioned your dates.

All of the hotels I metioned above are available on Thomas Cook website for your required dates.

Good luck

Hi there,

went back on to Thomas Cook but can only see Marti and the Mari le perla (sp?) and the dates don't tie in. I am teacher and Scottish schools back on 18th so I am restricted to leaving on the 4th so I am back in time. Marti looks nice , shame

I'm sure you'll have a good time. As I said in my first post we didn't dislike Marmaris it was just that Icmeler was more to our tastes. You may find that as you're going in early October when things are generally starting to wind down it is the better option of the two especially if you're after somewhere relatively lively. Enjoy

Marmaris will be getting quiet in October, most places start to shut up shop by mid October and the workers start heading home then so the resort will be very relaxed I would imagine. Whereabouts in Marmaris are you staying as like has already been said it is a huge resort.

BONVOYAGE,Anastasia is lovely,you shouldnt be disappointed.October is quietening down,but lots of places open and a lot of bargains to be had nearing end of season.We always go early June and again early September,honestly its nothing like Blackpool when we go,cant speak for July and August,but I have never seen drunken people walking around when I have been,mind you Im in bed no later than 1am.Marmaris is a lovely resort and has the most beautiful views around,and so green.Trips are so cheap compared to other resorts in Turkey.Have a Turkish bath at the Anastasia downstairs,one of the best and so clean.

Thanks Crispy and everyone else who have taken the time to answer me. It does sound fab when you put it like that. We are really looking forward to it and so will, I'm sure, enjoy it whatever we find. Have not seen a bad report about the Anastasia either so that is a bonus.

Hi Bon voyage, have double checked again in case you change your mind and want to change booking to Icmeler.
Searching for hotels on Thomas Cook for 1 room, 4 adults, 4th-15th October it is still bringing up the hotels I mentioned.

hi bon voyage

i have been to marmaris every october for the last 16 years for our wedding anniversary ( oct 7th) always found it quite lively, and the weather very good, whilst i would reccommend icmeler for a family holiday, we had a great time in marmaris when we took the kids. a day on a boat trip is a must, reccommend the mega diana.
we will be there again this october, our 40th anniversary this year, so methinks i,ll be taking hubby to the jewellers for that ruby ring.
have a great time

regards
marnie

Afternoon all,
I've booked Club Aida for end sept/early oct
Can anyone tell me what the area around the hotel is like??
Also we have an 16month old, is it possible to buy baby items locally or should we bring averything with us??
Been many places before but first time to Turkey so looking forward to all it has to offer.

hi there sam!club aida is lovely, i worked in a kids club within it a couple of years ago lol!i would say its kinda seperate, its purpose built so sits up on a hill by itself although there are of course other hotels nearby, its good location id say, its going towards sitelar but wont take long to go to centrum either!as for baby stuff, it is possible to buy there of course but its expensive, only if you went for turkish brands would you find it a bit cheaper,if poss take your own stuff,no point wasting money!
im sure you will have a fab time in marmaris, theres something for everyone, although i often wish about visiting other places,id feel i missed out if didnt go to marmaris, this is also were i met my hubby and we got engaged etc so it holds nice memories lol im sure you wont be disappointed and your baby will be the centre of attention lol, they love kids!im going in may,by that time il be 6.5 months pregnant so be needing a break lol, a week in marmaris and a week in hatay with the inlaws,best of both worlds for me!have a fab time and fire away if you've any more questions, if i cant answer ill ask mehmet my hubby lol!take care x

We've been taking my granddaughter to Turkey since she was 10 weeks old - she's a seasoned traveller now at 20 months LOL!! We have never had a problem with buying the stuff she has needed when in Turkey. What were you specifically thinking of? Nappies are heavy to take with you from the UK - you can buy them over there. The Prima ones are Pampers in disguise. My daughter reckons that the baby wipes are better over there - thicker she reckons. As for food, you can buy baby food over there, mind you our Chloe was eating stuff you could get in the restaurants when she was last over there (last September when she was 14 months old) as well as stuff we bought from the supermarket.

The one thing I would take over for your little one is sun screen - it's expensive in Turkey and I don't reckon it's as good as ours for sensitive little skins.

If you need to know about anything specific for your baby, just ask.

JAK xx

It is true that Marmaris is very commercialised and caters mostly for the Brits, however it will be much quieter in October than in the height of summer. The area around the harbour is very nice, if you walk right to the end, it has a lovely feel about it with some nice shops.
Don't know how your boys are about walking, but the walk along the back of the beach in the opposite direction to Icmeler is very nice.
Perhaps walk one way then get a taxi-boat back ?
Someone mentioned you can get a dolmus to Turunc, a good day out would be taking the dolmus one way where you will see spectacular views as you go over the mountain, then the taxi boat the other way.
If you are adventurous there are many good trips you could do on public buses from the bus station in Marmaris - journeys that we have done are to Datca, which is a lovely very Turkish town at the end of the peninsula, and also to Mugla the capital town of the area. You can also get a bus to Akyaka which is a small resort (again very Turkish), with a great sandy beach, and shallow sea that your boys will love.
You could also get an organised boat trip to Dalyan, again a fantastic beach and beautiful scenery.
So if you find that Marmaris isn't really for you, there is loads you can do very easily - Turkey is one of the best places we have been for getting out and about, their transport system is great and very reliable.
Have to say that you may be disappointed with the wine, its definitely not the best in the world!
Nevertheless, I am sure you will have a great holiday,and you never know you may love the resort, lots of people do!