LABRANDA Alantur Resort - All Inclusive

The grounds were lovely, with well-kept gardens and plenty of kittens to keep the kids occupied. We enjoyed the fresh food and the range of choices, though a proper Turkish night with local cooking would have been nice. My family and I were glad we came, even though I’d worried after reading the bad reviews. A few things got in the way. The rocky beach hurt my foot, and there should be warnings about the danger. The water slide shut for parts of the day, but there wasn’t clear information posted by the pool. Our air conditioning was turned off because some guests felt cold, which made our room uncomfortably warm. The spa was pleasant but more expensive than places outside the resort. We were also refused a free booking at the Turkish and Italian restaurants because we were staying five nights rather than seven, and they were fully booked until mid-November. Some Russian guests looked at us in a racist way. It felt hypocritical and ignorant in a Muslim country, and if they don’t like being around different people, they should stay in their own country. Still, this is an amazing hotel, and I’d book again.

Elifnur was especially good at making sure everyone was included in the entertainment. The kids had a great time in the animation club, with fun activities every day, and our whole family loved the stay. There’s direct access to the sea, several pools and a water slide. The food was excellent, and we also liked having a spa and shops on site. Highly recommend!

I come back for the private beach and gardens. It’s hard to find a hotel with so much space and greenery, though this time our second-floor room was close to a noisy road, and I’d rather be on the ground floor. The room was okay, but there was nothing for English speakers on the TV, and it didn’t feel like a five-star room. This was my fourth visit to Labranda Alantur, and I’ve also stayed at Labranda Bodrum. The experience at Alantur has declined since my earlier trips. The entertainment used to be amazing, but this time I wasn’t interested. My kids expected a Halloween theme, but there was nothing beyond Turkish paper flags. They’ve stopped doing the lovely dinner decorations and events like Turkish night, beach party and Halloween. The tables aren’t even covered with white cloths now. We’re not fussy eaters, but we missed having local fruit beyond the melon served daily. There were no watermelon or pomegranates, even though it’s the season. Smoking around food should not be allowed at all. There should be a separate smoking area, as is standard in Europe. The bar area has gone downhill too, with plastic chairs that made it unpleasant to sit there. Not everyone wants to smoke and get drunk. It was a good four-star stay, but they need to improve. There are plenty of other good hotels.

The food was a real highlight, with tasty meals and desserts and lots to choose from each time. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout, and the spa was relaxing. We also liked seeing cats around the hotel, and the staff treated them kindly. Pets are allowed, and many guests were walking their dogs around the resort. Our room had a strong smell that air freshener couldn’t clear, since it had seeped into the curtains. The room felt old and badly in need of renovation. The first three days of entertainment were boring and the music wasn’t good, though things improved a lot over the next four days and the atmosphere became more enjoyable. We also found it odd that the music kept playing during the ezan. Despite those issues, we had a pleasant stay and can see why the hotel is rated highly. The service, food and warm atmosphere made a difference.