icmeler seems right up your street

I would recommend Side.It has a lovely sandy beach,wonderful roman ruins ,an old town and has lots of 5 star hotels ideal for families.I also love Icmeler but as a first time visitor I think Side would be better.I didnt like Olu Deniz because it is a created resort with no old town.Everyone has their favourites so I would look at the reviews of the resorts and the hotels to help you decide.

your best bet is to go through all h/t discussions and read up on all resorts im sure you will find what you are looking for
there are many on this site with web sites full of information about the areas they cover so do check out all the sites for information before making any choices

Olu Deniz is a good family resort, and you have the beach and the lagoon with its private beaches, which is probably more suitable for your 5 year old as it's very calm.

There are lots of hotels, from AI to B&B and enough restaurants to eat out at a different one each night, plus shops to browse in. There is a main street, plus a few streets off of it, but if you want a larger town you can get to Fethyie in about 20 or 30 mins.

Theres lots to do in this area with boat trips, markets to visit, a gorge nearby, mudbaths, the ghost village etc. If you read any tour ops brochure it will list all to do in the area, or you can just chill by the pool or on the beach.

Good Luck.

have a look at belek all the hotels are right on the beach , with all the usual sports available , places like the ancient city of perge are readily accessible by taxi . or tour operators.

bluepeterno1

I have to agree with Doe (as usual!) - Olu Deniz is just great. Plenty of bars and eateries but most close around 1am.Plenty of shops. The beach looks stunning but is not for a 5 year old, very stony (no sandcastles!) and the sea shelves deeply. However you have the lagoon, easily walkable but also free transport.
Olu is in easy reach of so many places, Fethiye, Dalayan/Caunos, markets ,Salkient gorge and, our favorite the "ghost" village. Take a look , and read up on, the Belcekiciz Beach resort. Only place I've been to twice.
Lally

I just noticed you are going July/August time.It will be very very hot and as Olu is surrounded on 3 sides by mountains there is hardly any breeze.I was there in May 2005 and had to sit mostly in the shade.

mr fussy, if you go to icmeler and vow never to return i will personaly refund your holiday money, it's magnetic, [ by the way do you know where i live? only kidding ] kendo

I agree Icmeler is great for family's plenty to do,family friendly, the people can't do enough for you, but again that apply's to all of Turkey in general, the only downside in my opinion is the beach, not really very nice.

For a beach holiday you can't beat Olu especially if you take the time to find the private beaches, just jump a cab they will take you, children are welcomed where ever you go, they just love them.
With Olu you have a good choice you can go up to Hisoronu on the dolmus, or on to Fethyia, from there you can get the water taxi on to Calis beach, so loads of choice.

I am sure where ever you end up you will love it like the rest of us who go back year after year.

Martyn - we have been to both olu deniz and icmeler. Our personal favourite is Olu although as said the main beach although stunning isnt really suitable for children the lagoon area would be much better. What board basis are you intending to go as i think this makes a difference to where would suit you best.Olu has a fantastic choice if you intend to go A/I - there are several good quality hotels right in the centre of olu where you will have the best of both worlds and have resturants shops and bars on your doorstep + the fantastic turkish hospitality - check out the belcekiz beach, club sun city and olu deniz resort hotel. If you prefer self catering Icmeler may suit you better as this is a great family resort and is more geared towards self catering with a large majority of the resturants putting on evening entertainment. icmeler is a much bigger resort and there is a much bigger choice of resturants and bars and olu is more laid back and a smaller resort but still plenty to keep you occupied. both have boat trips and excursions available .

lyn

Hi again,

Firstly a big thanks to all who contributed to my post, your advice is invaluable and extremely appreciated!

To let you all know...

We are about to book our Summer hols to Olu Deniz for 2 weeks - staying in the Hotel Karbel.

Sonra görü$ürüz

Martyn

Hope you have a great time - I am sure it will not be your last visit to Turkey.

Great, I am sure you will enjoy.
We are trying Turgutreis this year and if its half as good as Olu we will be happy
Lally