Last month I was after a late deal in the sun for a week and I booked to go the Sinem Hotel in Marmaris.
I got back to Birmingham this morning and I thought I would share my thoughts with you all.
Sinem Hotel - AMAZING. Perfect for a cheap base. If you want a clean place to stay with staff that would do anything to help you out, this is the place to go. It's a 5min walk to the beach front and is situated just round the corner from the Supermarket. Like I said, an ideal base. Not too far away but far away enough to get a good nights sleep.
Marmaris itself is an experience. I have never been to Turkey before and I don't think this is the place to go if you want to experience Turkey (if that makes sense). It was so busy and commercial and just so big! I felt swamped most of the time.
I ate at the following restaurants: Faros, Tiffany's, Taj Mahal, O Yes (Beachfront) and also a restaurant on the marina (the name escapes me but it begins with a B). All the restaurants lived up to their expectations except O Yes. The service wasn't very good; a glass was smashed on the table right next to me which cut my foot quite badly and I didn't get as much as an apology, which considering how polite and friendly the Turkish are, was surprising and it pretty much ruined my opinion of the place. Faros was by far the best, wonderful service and superb food. Plus their Mojitos are to die for!
Prices wise, well nothing that hasn't been said before really. Although some places you can get the 5 courses for 16-20TL, most steaks are 22-28TL and chicken slightly cheaper. One thing I did find strange, no matter where we went all our dishes came with rice, chips, veg and salad. My plate always felt mixed up...all good though. Yum Yum.
I don't think Turkey is as cheap as people believe it to be, but as I've never been before I don't really know what it used to be like so I say that very lightly. Considering in a lot of pubs in England you can get a decent 2-4-1 or 2 dishes for a tenner, it doesn't seem that cheap in comparison when you're pretty much getting the same kind of food. Pepper steak, Mexican chicken etc etc. However, the quality of the food cannot be faulted, so again I make that comment very lightly.
I went to the Supermarket a few times to stock up on fresh bread, fruits, cheese and various bits and bobs. It was cheap, fresh and so tasty and it made a nice change to sit on the balcony and eat such simple and delicious food.
I got a decent exchange rate last week, 2.35 and at one point I saw it go up to 2.42.
Temps reached 53degrees by the Sinem pool and it was HOT. There was a nice breeze most days but it was still sweltering hot. Much time spent floating on a lilo in the pool to stay cool.
Overall a fantastic holiday and I shall certainly return to Turkey, but not Marmaris. It just wasn't for me and my boyfriend. We prefer something a little more cultural than that particular resort.
Highs - Sun, Efes, People, Cleanliness, Mezes
Lows - Too many break dance routines, Michael Jackson impersonators and drag queens. Once you've seen one, you've seen em all.
