Costa Viva Bodrum Hotel

The positives were limited to free bottled water and a water dispenser on site. That couldn’t make up for the rest of the experience, and I wouldn’t recommend this hotel. My friend found bed bugs in her room, but was told to stay there for the night. Another friend’s hairdryer caught fire, and reception said that was normal. My own room was poorly kept: the toilet was dirty, there were no hooks for clothes or towels, and housekeeping only came if you requested it each morning. Even after we asked, they missed our room on two of our four nights. When we asked for clean towels, we were told they’d run out. The breakfast buffet was disappointing, with very little variety and flies around the food. The loud 5 a.m. prayer call interrupted our sleep each morning. That part is outside the hotel’s control.

The yard and pool are so lovely that you don’t feel like going out, you could spend your whole holiday at viva ;). The location is the best, and the rooms are clean with plenty of space. The breakfast is amazing, and the staff are so welcoming. I really had the best time and would definitely recommend it.

I don’t recommend this place. The rooms are dirty: the walls and wooden slat headboards were dusty and full of dirt. In room 403, the shower drain was clogged, so water pooled in the tray instead of draining properly. The pool was disappointing too. Disinfectant seemed to be added by eye, without proper measurement or hygiene checks. I’d be wary of the high online ratings. Many reviews seem to be written by staff, who ask guests to hand over their phone on departure, supposedly to help, then post a positive review themselves. Read the reviews carefully and look for repeated comments that sound very similar and overly positive.

Dirty, dirty, dirty. The two rooms, 304 and 403, had dirty mattresses and mould on the walls, and the shower drain was clogged. When the floor was cleaned in the sitting area, our luggage got wet. The pool water’s pH wasn’t regulated, and chlorine was added randomly. Your clothes and jewellery could be ruined, and you’ll smell of chlorine for days. Doing renovations during high season was a terrible idea. This was below even the lowest European standards, more like a filthy youth hostel. I wouldn’t stay here again or recommend it. I’ll raise the issue with Booking.com and send the photographic evidence. Pay a few extra £'s for the better option you’re already considering, and learn from my hard lesson. Be aware of fake reviews: they ask for your phone at the hotel so they can write them themselves. SEMA (RECEPTIONIST) was really lovely and helpful, always smiling and happy to assist. Some big hotel should steal her from this horrible place and give her a raise.