I have been to Side twice and loved it. It's a beautiful town with a lot of the old Greek city still standing and a splendid amphitheatre. loads of good restaurants and bars and even a nice, long beach.
Good dolmus (bus) service, especially the trip to Manavgat market and the river boats up to the falls. Several coach trips around the area to other sites, including the dreaded jewellery factory. Antalya is worth a visit.
Get the boyfriend to try the Turkish barber ... I did, scary, especially when he blows flames in your ears. We've never been bitten by mosquitos that I can remember but I know some people have more trouble than others.
We shall definitely return but, as always, it depends what you want from the holiday. I don't know the Sunlight so can't comment.
You will find some reviews from members on this page. Try the search button. Hope this helps.

thanks richard,
after reading your post,i thought oop's dont think that there going to like it,so i phoned them up,asked what they wanted from there holiday,then read out your post to them,it turns out that this is the type of place they wanted,not bad for booking blind or should i say lucky,i think he's off the hook for a while with my niece,just gotta find out what the hotel is like now,it looks ok,from what i saw of it from the web,but would like to here from someone thats stayed there,thanks very much for your help richard,at least we have put her mind at rest,newbys a ?

Hi Bibbs,I have been to Turkey many times and Side is my absolute favourite.As the previous post states its a fab roman town with the best sandy beaches in Turkey.However it is very popular with Germans and Scandanavians,I found some reviews for a Sunlight garden hotel in Side and all the posters were German.They were OK and it seems to just be on the outskirts of the old town.Who did the boyfriend book with?.I would only book with one of the big tour operators or with the hotel direct if I had been before.I think you will find they will be the only British in the hotel.Some people wont find this a problem.

hi jay trip,
they booked through airtours,i dont think that they would mind being the only brits there,i think they just want to get away for a bit,see some where new,and spend some quality time with the kids,after reading richards and your replie,i think that they will love it,as for the germans,they would seem like pussy cats to me,i have spent the last 3 holidays with the russians,anybody out there shared this exprience will know what i mean,thanks jay trip for the help,

Hi bibbs...we have only been to side once...have been several other resorts more than once, we will go back to side sooner or later,we stayed at the hotel hemmera it was great, as was side. you say there are three children....not a problem the turkish people adore children...i hope they have a great time.....Gavin

hi gavin,
thanks very much,i will pass on your good wishes,cheers.
oh and i'm not quite sure how i managed to put spam cats in my last post,should have been pussy cats,but then you all new that right,

arrrrrrh,p u s s y cats,

Hi Bibbs I know what you mean about those "delightful" Russians although they were in the minority when we stayed at the Conrad in Sharm.The Germans are lovely people if you try and get to know them.Maybe I am biased as I lived there for 2 years ,my daughter was born there and my son had German penfriends staying with us several times.Usually hotels where they stay are of a good standard.I also stayed at the Hemera last March and I would go back tomorrow if I could get a flight from Newcastle.I will have to wait until March 27th!.Jay

hi jay,
yes your right,they do say that theres good and bad in walks of life,but sadly ive still to find a good russian,but there must be one out there,could not believe they were putting towels on the sun beds at 3.30 as we were leaving the night club.

Hi Bibbs I used to be bothered by the sunbed situation until about 5 years ago I got fed up with it and now if I go down to the poolside about 9-10 am I just chose a bed, remove the towel,fold it and put it on a nearby chair.Surprisingly no one has challenged me about it when they turn up usually hours later!.If they did say anything I just tell them reception told me to do this so go and complain to them!.Jay

Spam cats, pussy cats? What's he on? I want a pint of it.
We stayed at the Arum Hotel on both occasions, two down from the Hemera where Gavin stayed and owned by the same Barut Hotels. It is a German owned and run group (I think) and they were very good at running the hotels. The food and staff were excellent and we all enjoyed ourselves. Shame that they can't fit us in this year. Well, there are 80 of us! (Sorry, Tony ... more Bridge)

hi richard,
80 of you going,hope thats ai,if not i wouldn't want to be in that round.
for some reason it wont let the word p u s s y on the page,it kept replacing it with the word spam.
hi jay,
sounds like a good idea about the towels,but have you seen the size of some of these russian blokes,i think i'll stick with my way to be on the safe side,i track down me little pool man,slip him a bung,tell him theres more to come at the end of the holiday,our to beds are ready and waiting for us every day,just like magic.