Sorry RA - having never been to Turkey, I can't nswer your question. However my sister is going to the same hotel as you in August. She's been to Gumbet before , but is really looking forward to Olu Deniz. Worrying about it won't help. You've booked now, so be determined to enjoy it. For once, I've let hubby pick this year's holiday destination - Lassi in Kephalonia. The more I'm reading about it, the more I think that it'll be too quiet for hubby. I've told him this and he says that he's never yet, not enjoyed a holiday. Some more than others, but always made the best of everything & had a good time.

I've been to both and prefer Olu . It is indeed smaller and more laid back than Icmeler although in recent years has become more commercialised . There are still plenty of shops and bars but more compact . Theres plenty to do there in terms of activities and trips and IMO more so than Icmeler and the scenery is stunning .

It is a bit different in that icmeler is more geared towards the SC market with restuarants providing more entertainment but i'm confident you will find all you need in Olu in terms of bars with Music but it is more low key than icmeler . Still very friendly .. I feel friendlier .

I'm sure you will love it .

lyn

RA- we're also going to Olu for the first time. Staying in the same hotel as you. When do you go? Only been to Turkey once before (Gumbet) and was looking for a different type of resort this time.

I've done loads and loads of research into the resort and as Lyn says it seems to be among the more laid back resorts but by no means dead. You also have the option of the livelier hisaronu just a short way up the hill. I'm sure we'll make one or two trips there of an evening.
I think you should relax and look forward to you holiday

Thanks for all the replies guys. Much appreciated.

Yes, I need to relax and I feel better now.

Hi again rowdy_angel,

We go for 2 weeks on 2nd August so we'll be back before you fly. Look out for my report, review and pics. I'm sure I'll be putting your mind at rest. I can't wait!

Hi Rowdy_Angel.
I havent been to Icmeler but have been to Olu Deniz and its really lovely. My son wanted to go back straight away!.
Theres plenty to do and the locals are lovely. We were there last year in April, the weather was fabulous and the hotel was really lovely. We stayed at Olu Deniz resort hotel and would definitely go again. We went paragliding twice and that was brilliant.
There are lots of shops and restaurants in Olu and its only a short Dolmus ride to nearby towns etc.
I'm sure you'll have a great time!.

Hi Rowdy Angel.

We went to Olu Deniz to Olu Deniz resort hotel when it had good reviews, dont know whats happened since. We loved it.

i agree with Lynwestie its more visually stunning especially when coming down the hill from Hisaronu its defo a camera / video moment.

The sand is white compared to Icmeler dark shingly colour. But those flippin big pebbles at the shoreline on Belcekiz beach dont half hurt your feet as we found out, take some cheapo primark pumps then dump them at end of holiday.

Ithink we havent gone back to Olu even though we'retempted because of the lack of self catering acomodation, Icmeler does have loads of choice.

its about 8 or 9 years since we went to Olu, then we went to Armutalan i would have preferred to be much closer Marmaris it was a Dolmus or taxi ride to go to MArmaris centre, or a hot walk.

Been to Icmeler 5 times, 6 times this year all self catering, first time AI in icmeler this year.

Its a tough decision i agree suppose if you get a good deal for Olu grab it. Those paragliders I love watching scarey when they just about miss you if on the beach. Nice promenade walk from the resort hotel was a bit shadey i remember.

its made me fancy Olu for next year. lol

We've been going to Olu Deniz for the past 6 years. We have also visited Marmarus, Ichlemer Turunc, Belek but nothing comes close to our beloved Olu. As other have said its so friendly, laid back. I like it because of its chilled grown up atmosphere. It has some great bars and restaurants. Paragliding is a big part of Olu Deniz, whether it be taking part on a tandum jump or just simply watching them gracefully landing on the beach against the sunset, its quite something. The mountains make a stunning backdrop to every scene. There are plenty of places to visit nearby inlcuding the Harbour at Fethiye, Lively bars at Hisaronu, Boats trips, The gorge at Saklikent.

Best place in the world!

No, you won't be disappointed! The setting for Oludeniz is spectacular, just lying on the beach suurounded by beautiful mountain scenery watching the paragliders come in with the sun setting in the background is absolute relaxation in a nutshell.
Plenty of bars and restaurants there and even more choice just a short dolmus journey up the hill in Hisaronu.
Loads of really good day trips a very reasonable cost or scenic walks for free.
Must do's......!!!!
Catch the dolmus down to Fethiye Tuesday market, I have never seen so much colourful fruit and veg in my life plus all the usual shoes, handbags, clothes, towels etc.
Taxi boat from Fethiye harbour to Calis Beach - just for the ride.
Jeep safari or trip on local dolmus to Saklikent Gorge, Tlos, Xathos etc, a grand day out
Walk through the forest to Kayakoy (ghost village) have a swim and a wonderful lunch at Muzzy's and catch the dolmus back (you will be too full to walk).
If you are walkers try trekking from Kayakoy back to Olu or along the coast on the Lycian way, both have fabulous views.
I think you might get the picture?

Wow thanks for all of your replies guys.

Now I am getting excited!!

olu is stunning with great places to visit easily on the dolmus calis,fethiye,hisaronu etc there isnt half as much hassle in olu as in marmaris/icmeler and the clientele is more upmarket than icmeler/marmaris thus making it slightly more expensive

Everyone has their favourite resort and I must be the only person who didnt like Olu Deniz.
We stayed at the Sun City hotel and although the hotel was OK I felt claustrophobic.
Some of the cliental in the hotel were awful and did some disgusting things to staff and other guests.
Yes the lagoon area is pretty,stunning from the air but that is only a small part of the resort.
Its also the only Turkish resort I have been to over the last 20 years where I have been insulted by a shopkeeper.
We visited Hisaronu which I thought was tacky and Fethiye and Kaya koy which was lovely.
I went here before I returned to Icmeler after an absence of 10 years.so wasnt comparing it to there.
You probably will compare it to Icmeler and I have just come back from my second visit to Gumbet and still like Icmeler the best.
I may be brave one day and try Dalyan,Kalkan or Kas.

Ive been to a few places around the world and Olu Deniz is still my favourite, this year is our fourth year going out.

We got married there in 2005, amazing.

you should check out the new Mozaik Apartments, It has opened for the first time today.
Me, hubby and kids off there in 3 weeks time for 2 weeks in the sun. We booked direct with the hotel.

Cant wait

Annissa

Been looking at the Buzz webcam and it seems very quiet in there even later in the evenings. I would have thought Olu would have started becoming busy from now. Is it usual for it to be so quiet in June or have people been put off going because of the media speculation on the price increases?

We've just got back and it is fantastic place you won#t be disappointed. If you want some nightlife Tequilla Bar is the place and really gets going later, but it doesn't matter what your age they cater for all. The guys that work there are great. We stayed at Montebello this year, Karbel a couple of years ago. The prices haven't really gone up in comparision to two years ago. I keep a travel journal and we paid 5 YTL for a pint two years ago which is the same now or 3.5 or 4 on the quieter street.

We got back two days ago and would go back tomorrow if I could.

I suppose I'm biased - I went to Olu Deniz first time 20 years ago - and then it really did look like the pictures on the websites and in the brochures.
Truly beautiful and unspoiled.
It does NOT look like those pictures now.
I went back October 2009 and found the Olu Deniz beach completely paved with sunbeds, umbrellas, and plastic pedal boats - if you looked hard you could see 18 inches of sand between each sunbed.

Don't get me wrong - overall it is still a lovely area of Turkey.
I'll be back there again this year in September.
Fethiye is a wonderful Turkish town, lots to see, a great market, good food and drink, and friendly welcoming locals. Try the black Turkish beer" Effes Dark" in place of the usual lager.
Try walking from the "ghost village" of Kayakoy over the hills and down to Olu Deniz bay, past Cold Water Bay - it will take maybe three hours but the scenery is incredible.
Better still, do the walk all the way from Fethiye, along the 300 year old ancient cobbled road, you will need a map or local guide, and five hours, but it's really worth it.

But Olu Deniz itself? I reckon still quite nice - but only just...

If you skip Olu Deniz beach itself and walk around past Sugar Beach club, there is the Seahorse, plenty of sand and space, cheaper sunbeds and they'll pick you up from your hotel and drop you back. We found Olu beach too crowded and it was shingle, Seahorse is soft sand and the beach is lovely. There are pedalos but no motor watersports so quieter than the main beach.

I agree about Kayakoy, lovely place to visit and we finished off by having lunch and a swim at Muzzys who even drove us back to Olu Deniz.

Olu Deniz (and maybe other resorts) are quiet this year because of the ash problems - people have been done more than once year on it therefore not re-booking.
Prices for next year are terrible
Travel agents are saying the tour operators need to get back the money lost, hence we pay for it

Brought forward for roswell.

Les