After landing at Bodrum at dark o' clock, struggling through immigration queues and a 1 1/4 hour journey to Kusadasi in an air conditioned car, organised by Jetline, we were ready for anything.

Met on the steps of the hotel by a porter who took the cases out, = friendly reception staff at 6 o'clock? I was amazed.
No wrist bands or "Colditz Clamps" to wear.

After booking in we were told that breakfast wasn't served until 7.30, but "just go through to the restaurant and help yourselves", was just the right start.

The bags were taken to the room, which we found to be spotless. It took us 2 days to realise that we went down to our room in the lift. A free safe (20euro deposit,refunded at end)

The reception area has a few small shops opposite the reception desk, with no hassle from the shopkeepers.

The food in the restaurant is buffet style with a very good selection of hot, Turkish food, a B-B-Q outside on the terrace, and an a la carte restaurant(bookable at reception), which opened on the day we left. (Unable to comment on this)

The front of the hotel has well laid out gardens, well worth a stroll through, and tennis courts closer to, the main Kusadasi road. The hotel has a raised beach, levelled off, with a volley ball court, Boulle and free sunbeds. It's quite a drop into the sea, although not too deep, and difficult to get out for the little ones. Drop 'em in after breakfast and the rest of the day is your own.

A beautiful hotel with a good animation team who will keep you active enough to burn off the calories. Aqua aerobics, beach volley, pool games, table tennis, boulle and darts (only one set).

There are 3 outdoor pools, a kiddies pool and a fair sized indoor pool with a bar and excellent snack restaurant for lunch. ), plenty of sun loungers with decent thickness mattress, and large towels provided.

Two pool-side bars, and several others. Use the small circular pool bar for your 4.o'clock Jacket spuds or the large pool bar for pittas.

No queueing for your drinks at the bars.

I tried posting pics in the album, but no joy, so have a look at these (if it's allowed).
http://groups.msn.com/DigitalPhotographyMadeEasy/sunnierplaces.msnw

If you want a few more, let me know.

Drop the bar staff and waiters a 5 euro tip at the start of the jolly and you will be looked after even better than normal, and service is VERY good normally. We'd been there 4 days before we spent any cash.

Your stay ends at 10.00, so it's well worth the extra payment of 20 or so euros to retain the room till night time, although there is a reasonably priced taverna at the end of the driveway.

Don't feed the hotel cats - they'll have your fingers off!

A dolmus stops outside the hotel.

Don't miss Ephesis - but do it by Dolmus.

Market day in Kusadasi is Friday - Take an empty suitcase.

All things considered, we will definitely be returning to the Fantasia - when we've lost some weight.

We spent one week at this hotel, it is a hotel more than 20 years old seen by the decor, though it has had a partial renovation recently, some area's were still in poor condition requiring repair or modernisation.

Cleaniness was also poor in area's, like the pool having debris on the floor for days on end, the filter/drains around the edge of the pool were blocked with dirt.
The free towel service ran out after the first few hours of the day so needed to obtain early in the morning or retrieve fresh the evening before for the next day.

Food was in buffet form was reasonable presented, but tended to be repetitive & lacked variation in the choice of meat, mainly chicken & processed meat of unknown origin.

Staff were helpful, but some times uniforms stained.
Fish tanks at the main bar were dirty at the time of our stay & did not give a good impresssion.
Lack of working lighting in the corridors was an issue late at night.

If given a room overlooking the enterance then advert lighting around the balconies shining into rooms due to curtains not fully closing. We were able to move after first night to a sea view room which is what we had paid for in booking.

Rooms & bathroom was clean & cleaned everyday, but furniture was dated & well used. beds were comfortable with good matresses.

Disco was always empty - drinks expensive after midnight, also dated decor. Bar personnel could not make cocktails though were on the list (extra payment)
Evenings bottles of alchol & fruit cocktails laid out on table & self service, also bar staff for other drinks available.
No international drinks available even if paying extra.



I would not give this 5 star rating, at the most 3 star, it was a 5 star 10 years ago.