441 Reviews
Traveller Rating
-
Excellent58
-
Very Good187
-
Good110
-
Average72
-
Poor14
Review Overview
-
Cleanliness
-
Entertainment
-
Food
-
Service
-
Location
Travel operator: First Choice
The Spa was fantastic - the staff are very friendly and let the chldren have a go in the Turkish bath for free. We had several massage treatments during the fortnight and they were very good value for money.
Food was varied and plentiful although there was repetition in the second week. The staff were polite and efficient. The Turkish and Asian restaurants were lovely but we were not very impressed by the Italian one - service was very poor.
The kids enjoyed the evening entertainment in the amphitheatre - we found it a little cheesy and sat in one of the bars while they watched! The entertainment staff work very hard.
We booked 2 trips with Oz from Sarigerme Tours in the village (10 minute walk down the road. Excellent value for money & cheaper than First Choice. We did the Mud Bath and Turtle Beach tour which was a lovely day out and the kids loved seeing the turtles. Then we did the Jeep Safari - what a great day out. Yes you get wet & dirty but its all part of the fun. The water fights between the jeeps are great entertainment and when the local children come out with the hosepipes beware the freezing water! Make sure you take a carrier bag to protect cameras!! I got some very odd looks when I returned to the hotel at 7pm covered in dust with my hair looking like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards! The kids said the Safari was the best bit of the holiday. We don't normally go back to the same place again but I would return here or try one of the other holiday village resorts as, apart from the ear infection issue, we had a great time.
Travel operator: First Choice
Arrived 1.5 hrs later than expected and the arrival in Dalaman was better than I had been expecting. Didn't queue that long to pay the visa money and get passport stamps although our cases were last off, not a big problem. Met by Kate our rep who was lovely and welcoming explaining various things to us about what to expect - including the Tom Tom watch (which we just left in our room for the duration), the intense heat we could expect and to drink plenty of water, the trouble they have been experiencing with ear infections and how to try and avoid it, the mozzies and what to use if not got anything with us, which we did have plenty of stuff. Check in at the hotel was really really quick, room keys and towel cards etc were all ready for us upon arrival and cases immediately taken to our rooms by the porters. The check in at this hotel was by far better than the HV in Costa Del Sol.
Rooms basic but adequate, after all you do only sleep and change in them, so much going on that its a waste of holiday time staying in your room. TV provided and kept kids happy after showering and waiting to go out in the evening. A little tip - make sure you get a couple of card keys upon arrival - that way when you go out you leave one key in the slot which means the air conditioning stays on and you arrive back to a lovely cool room, also the mozzie plugs do actually work in the evening that way.
Food was nice buy a little boring after a while. A good variety to choose from. Breakfast was a choice of eggs, eggie bread, ommellettes - delicious but cooked in lots of oil, yoghurts, fruit, toast, croissants etc beans, tomatoes etc. etc. Lunch could be either from the Sunset restaurant (open-air) which was similar to evening meals - a good variety, or you could eat at the snack bar either near the main pool or the beach bar. Mainly consisted of chips, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads toasties or at the beach bar the Yengen - really nice. Ice-cream available at lunch time at both beach bar or sunset restaurant, any other time during day it was at the beach bar. Evening meal was a good variety but similar in taste most evenings, chicken, lamb, fish, veal and different veg with chips or salads. Lots of different desserts, inc ice cream and available until 1.00am in the restaurant was bread and various bits of food that I presume of left over from the evening meal.
The hotel was immaculate and clean with staff working very very hard to keep it that way. Tables in the restaurant were cleared away almost as soon as you left your table and nothing was too much trouble for the staff if you asked for anything.
Sunbed situation was a problem as we found out that people were actually reserving double what they needed - four in the sun and four under the shade which meant other people struggled to even get one or two sunbeds together. We found that our second week was a little better and throughout the duration, we were getting up at 8.00am to reserve a sunbed, but in the first week even at this time, 90% of the beds were taken. The pools were amazing and even at peak time were never full, the slides were really good but we did go to the Tropical side and use their slides quite alot as they were a little bit faster and the kids ones were great for the little one.
Location of the hotel is ok if you don't want to leave the hotel for the duration. We did go into the market on the Sunday which was only 7 YTL in a taxi each way - better than walking in the extreme heat. The grounds of hotel are absolutely beautiful and very well kept.
Hotel staff very helpful, reps were always on hand in reception and walking around the resort and when we had a delay coming home, they informed us immediately that they would not be picking us up until nearer the time as they would rather we stayed in the hotel with full use of facilities and meals than stuck in the airport. The delay was a pain but the distress was minimal thanks to First Choice as when we did finally get to the airport, other passsengers had been at the airport since 2.00pm and we didn't fly until 10.15pm. Thanks First Choice for making that decision to keep us at the resort. The reps, Cat and Kate were also very helpful once we arrived at the airport as there was nobody at the check-in desk, but Cat rectified that quite quickly and I feel they were very professional.
The entertainment was totally and utterly brilliant, the E3 team work tirelessly to provide a wonderful time for all guests, they were very talented and friendly and were just lovely. They work very hard day and night and you always see them with a smile on their faces. They try to get you to join in with the quizzes etc and pool games but did not force you. I managed to get my daughter into the kids club on every occasion we took her, although on some of the sessions you did need to arrive earlier as the queues could get long. My daughter loved going to the clubs and the staff there were lovely. Before you leave your child you have to complete your card stating the time and date of the session and where you would be in the resort so they could get you if needed. Upon collecting your child, you had to sign a list and the reps would get a few kids at a time when they had checked the signatures on your card. It was a really good system which ensured your child only ever left with whoevers names were on the card.
A few minor problems we had were if you wanted to sit around the pool bar in the evenings, you had to grab a table and chair early on or you spent the entire evening sat on wooden slats at the back which was not very comfortable. The Clowne Theatre was big enough but again not very comfy if sat there for a long time.
We used Mosquito Milk that I bought from a local chemist back home and I only got 3 very minor bites, the kids got none at all and my partner had a few but didn't always use the same stuff we did. The wasps and the hornets were a major problem, and one the little blighters did sting my leg one afternoon, they were everywhere, especially around the bars and drinks machines and around the collection points for the cups and plates etc..
The photographers that take photos round the pool and bar areas at night are amazing. We actually got 2 albums and 2 large photos as they were that good, both quality and value for money. We had photos taken of the kids around the pool during the day and we booked an appointment for 7.00pm, just before it got dark, and had the most amazing pictures taken, they were that good that we could not choose for only one album and instead got 2. i would recommend the photos to anyone...
My partner and son went on the Jeep Safari booked through First Choice and they had an absolutely fantastic day out. Be prepared to get soaking wet though. We also went on the Gullet Cruise through First Choice and again this was fantastic. I was aware that you could book these trips via Oz at Sarigerme Tours, but we only booked two trips and wanted to know that we were being picked up and dropped of at the hotel and also if we had any problems we could raise any issues with the reps. As it happened we had no problems and both trips were very enjoyable. A word of advise though - the family cruise was the same as the Gullet Cruise but on the Family one, you get kids reps to entertain the kid but you need to pay for your own drinks, the Gullet Cruise, all meals and drinks were included - and believe me you needed lots to drink. Also the guy on the motor boat following you around selling ice creams is a rip off - 6 YTL for one ice cream.
When booking a holiday, I do myself like to read the reports on this and other sites before committing, and one the things I look for is whether guests would go back to the same place. I would definitely return to this resort for my family holiday although earlier on in the year due to the intense heat, possibly late June/early July, I would not hesitate in recommending the Holiday Village Turkey to anyone who asked.
Sorry if I've bored you but wanted to give as honest an opinion as possible. Please feel free to PM me if you want any further information.
Travel operator: First Choice
Transfer from airport was over before you knew it, ok the roads were a bit bumpy but the rep on the bus told us this anyway!!! ben, our rep on the bus was great, gave all the information you needed and didn't talk too much, especially as it was the middle of the night! We knew what we had to fill in (registration cards.... self explanatory but tryin to write them on the bus was, to say the least, interesting) tom watches... never used ours so kept it locked in the safe and just handed it back at check out. Our towel cards... had some of ours towels taken off our beds while we were at lunch and were worried we would have to fork out
Travel operator: First Choice
The previous year we had problems on our return as a result of flying home the day of the big security alerts and receiving very little help from the reps. i will say that in 2007 the reps were excellent. We did not go to the welcome meeting this time as we knew what the resort was about.
I have read reports about cold food, queues for food and the food being bland. i have to say that those people must have been staying at a different complex to my party.
I was disappointed that we could not use the facilities of the sister complex because First choice had allowed foreign companies to use it, I understand that in 2008 it will be British only again.
The complex is clean (spotless) the staff very friendly. I did have the Turkish Bath and massage but beware they will tell you that you have other problems that further types of massage will cure, at a cost? I would say wait until you return home and go see a physio it's a lot cheaper.
There were a lot of problems with ear infections but this is mainly caused by not drying the ears properly after getting out of the pool. I would suggest that if you do get an infection go by taxi to a chemist again a lot cheaper than
Travel operator: First Choice
Travel operator: First Choice
There have been a few reviews about the food being repetative, but we didnt find this was the case at all. OK, the breakfast was the same each day, but there was plenty of variety to have something different each day over a week. We tended to have the omelettes as they were cooked in front of you to order. The lunch at the snack bar was the same each day, but if you go to the Sunset restaurant, the lunch is laid out like dinner and you can have the full three course, sit down arms out meal that you get at dinner. The main restaurant has a chef cooking on a BBQ at lunch and dinner and there is another chef chopping fresh salad and a couple of times he was doing sushi! The food is excellent, but be wary of the meatballs as we found a few that were not cooked properly. Apart from that, we could not fault it. Saturday is Turkish night with kebabs and chicken wraps to die for. One thing, if you book one of the A LA Carte restaurants, dont go in hungry as you will come out hungry. We tried the Italian, and were not that impressed.
The hotel is SPOTLESS, with staff cleaning 24 hours a day. My only moan is about the maid that did the rooms. We were in Jacuzzi Suite 5143 and it was in the last block from the hotel, so the maid never arrived early. More often than not, the room had not been done by the time we had come back to shower and get changed for dinner in the evening and we had to put the do not disturb sign up so as she didnt come in. The only day we saw her before midday, was check out day when she came smiling for a tip. She didnt get one!
While we were there, someone did a poo in the slide pool. The pool was cleared out and cleaned almost immediately after it was reported. It amazes me that there could be someone so disgusting to actually do something as dirty as that.
The hotel is a bit isolated, but in a few years time, there will be a bit more development. Sarigerme is 20 mins walk away or 3-4 mins in a taxi or Dolmus. A trip to the Sunday market is a MUST. Even if you don't buy anything you will leave with a smile on your face. It's one of the best experiences I have had when on holiday.
The hotel staff are very friendly, and it is easy to build up a rapport with the bar staff. On our first day there, a man was shouting out his drink order and going "OI" to get the staff's attention. Needless to say, he practically had his drink thrown at him. They are often rushed off their feet, so a bit of respect in thir direction gets plenty of respect back. My only gripe is that no extra staff were laid on at the bars once the Scottish School holidays started and the hotel got VERY busy. Check out the photographer. They take brilliant pictures and do some good deals.
We didnt go to the Ampitheatre and see the shows this year as we remembered how uncomfortable it is to sit there. We stayed round the pool bar and took part in the quizzes etc there. The entertainment staff are all quite young, but work hard. My kids complained on several ocassions about the kids club reps constantly telling them to sit down and shut up. On two ocassions, games didnt start untill there was silence. I found this unnacceptable and complained to the head of In 2 Action. I was promised feedback, but of course, I never got it. It didnt stop them from going though. However, the kids club has a weekly programme and everything is repeated the second week you are there.
There were 7 of us in our group and 3 people caught the ear infection. According to the Doctor, there were about 80 people with the ear infection.
Despite the few gripes, we had a fantastic holiday and would definately go for a third visit in the future. I totally recommend this hotel.
Travel operator: First Choice
location is ok but you dont have to leave the complex really as everything is there for you.
cleanliness is fab infact sometimes youre plate is taken just as youre having your last bit,very clean always being cleaned aswell.the bar staff are great unless you give them attitude,i saw a bloke walk to the front of the bar and go "oi geezer wheres my ******* drink"the bar attender was not impressed and did give him a bit of a telling off but hey why shouldnt he there was a queue afterall.
Travel operator: first choice
We travelled very concerned about the mosquitoes there as we read it had been built on a swamp, but we covered ourselves with spray every evening and got very little bites, the children didn't get any at all.so don't get put off.
The food is always hot and with plenty of variety, not alot of fish on the menu if your a fish lover which did disapoint my husband. You have the themed resturants that you can eat in upstairs which is nice as you are waited on for the evening .
The hotel is spotless,restuarant staff almost cleaning up before you had finished eating, maid service every day,pools being checked and cleaned every day,there was alot of ear infections there which the pool was being blamed but i,m not so sure.
The entertainment was good, was repeated on the second week, but they worked very hard and deserve more credit.
Hotel very big and spacious, it is out in the sticks but at the end of the day it has everything you need onsite so there's no need for you to go outside.
We went on the Jeep safari which we booked through reception which was excellent fun and highly recommened.You get soaked through but well worth it with water fights between the jeeps.
Fisrt Choice reps very friendly and helpful as were the turkish staff.
This hotel is excellent we stayed in the Jaquzzi suites which is out in the grounds and is quiet.
It was a perfect holiday and the kids loved it.
We would definately visit this hotel again and highly recommend it.
Travel operator: First Choice
Pools were fantastic and the cleanest i have seen and they have little robots which clean the pool in the evening which is good, the second week we were there though the water seemed murkier which was probably due to it being busier and more sun cream in the water and god knows what else. In the second week there were complaints about faeces in the pool every day and it took about 30 mins to get anyone there and another 30 mins before anyone could go back in after they had just chucked some more chlorine in in the area they had been, this is an awful thing to keep happening and I dont understand how people can be so dirty.
Food was good and we always found something to eat, was a bit repetative but they are providing a choice of about 10 dishes each mealtime. we ate from the snack bar most days at lunchtime which is a must for the pizza. ice cream is available from the main restaurant at lunchtimes as well as the beach bar and in the evenings, we did not eat in any of the themed restaurants as they were fully booked, but people we met said the italian was not enough food and they were in and out in half hour, and the asian was awful and 3 tables in there left their food altogether and went to the buffet to get something instead!
Games room was great for kids but there are a lot left to run riot with no parents and the guy running it had to tell a lot to get out on a few occasions, the shop in lower foyer has a lot of stuff in but is expensive, we paid
Travel operator: first choice
Ask a Question
Got a question? Ask our community of over 1.5 million users.