Can't really answer for your particular hotel or area, as I've never been there - but I can honestly say we've never had a problem with dodgy tummies or food poisoning in Turkey. As long as you use a bit of common sense and take the kind of precautions mentioned, you should be fine.

I can understand your concerns but I think you can have a one of incident of food poisoning anywhere. I think you just need to use the same precautions you have been. Tap water wont actually make you ill in Turkey, it just doesn't taste nice to drink because of the extra minerals, so at least you don't have to worry about things being washed in tap water.

I have never been to your hotel either but I have been going to Turkey for many years, I also lived out there and I have never been ill. I'm sure you will be fine.

I'll leave the Egypt tummy talk for over on that forum but there is a thread running there about bottled water . I always knew the benefits of drinking sprite over bottled water if you had a tummy upset but didnt realise that drinking too much water can actually make things worse or bring it on .

So maybe give that a go . Try sprite instead of water.

Must admit i've never found the food in Turkey like that in Egypt . It is normally fairly bland in Egypt even when the quality is good . I've always found it more varied , more tasty and of better quality in Turkey .

I cant comment on the particular hotel you are going to and havnt read the reviews but I do A/I's in both and there have never ever been reports of the type of food poisoning incidents in turkey like there are in Egypt . In fact I've never had any problem at all in Turkey despite the high temps over july/Aug which is always my argument when it's put down to high temps and A/C in Egypt. As has been said though you could be unfortunate to get it anywhere you go.

smurfitt,

I would agree with the others, I've never had any problems will illness associated with food while in Turkey. As long as you are sensible and take the precautions you probably did in Egypt, you shouldn't have a problem. Egypt is known for it's problems. A friend came back from Sharm a couple of months ago and had food poisoning, although I never had a problem in Luxor or Hurghada. You may have just been unlucky, but I certainly wouldn't worry about food while in Turkey.

Darren

Thanks everyone; it's made me change from dread to actually looking forward to a holiday again.
I holiday twice a year and have travelled to various countries but must admit I had dreadful experiences in Tunisia then Egypt so as much as I want to try Turkey I had visions of it being similar. The Canaries and Greece have always been my favourites but I'd like to find somewhere else that gives me tha same feeling of being on a great holiday.

I would advise you to go to the hotel restaurant especially at lunch and evening meals as soon as the buffet opens.
This way the food you are eating wont have been on the buffet for long.
I have just been to Tunisia and was in Egypt in December,both times the food was lovely and we didnt get ill.
You may have been unlucky in Egypt and hopefully you will be fine in Turkey.

Avoid anything on a buffet if it doesn't feel cold, and arrive for the beginning of the buffet, when food hasn't been sitting around for ages in ambient temps. (in fact, if there's a choice of buffet, or food cooked to order, I'd avoid a buffet) . I'd avoid anything in mayo, as you don't know how it's been stored/for how long.

If you're not AI, I'd venture and eat out, and have some great eating experiences. I agree that tap water won't make you poorly, but drink bottled water by all, means if you'd prefer. I have had an incidence of food poisoning in Turkey, but I blame myself to some degree for eating from a buffet already presented(who knows for how long?) in high heat by stagnant water (flies everywhere), and being too starving to be sensible! (never again).

Enjoy your hol, pack the usual medications, go venture out and eat sometimes, and I'm sure you'll be fine. There's no more general chance of food poisoning there than here.

We had two wonderful weeks at the Baia Lara last September... you'll love it!

We saw them checking food temperatures all the time with a probe, so they're taking it seriously.

Enjoy.

Marion

I am sure with the popularity of AI holidays growing year on year and travel companies screwing the hotel owners feet down further and further then corners will be cut.
I can't see how a profit can be made at some of the AI holiday prices that I have seen.
I am sure the quality of the food and drinks can't be all that good at those prices.
We eat out in many, many local restaurants and have only ever had a problem once in 8 years. We tend to eat away from the normal tourist rerstaurants and go to where a lot of Turkish people are eating. You can't beat having it prepared and cooked fresh to order.
Out of town places are good too, where everything is cooked for you fresh on ordering and the prices are a whole lot better.
I also think that people's digestive systems can be put into shock too - many people have 50 weeks a year in the UK and then have a 2 week complete change. The food is different, the weather is hotter and many start knocking back the old Efes' during the day, it's no wonder the body rebels.
Ofcourse not saying everyone is like that .
For us tonight we have fresh lobster, fresh seabream, large shrimps, crabs and the barracuda that we caught yesterday. Hopefully on the BBQ if the weather holds off a bit longer. Not an every day meal I'll admit.
Cheers

I agree about corners being cut due to the lack of profit hotels are making nowadays. We won't be eating out because we've already paid much money for AI and not really into sightseeing.
Re: temperature probe. Maybe at the Baia they are genuine with their checks to ensure food is kept hot but at the hotel where we stayed in Egypt I think it was designed to impress rather than as a precaution because the food was always luke warm and that can't be good; especially where poultry is concerned.
Anyway, to err on the safe side I will head for an early meal and go for anything that is cooked to order.
:0)