Riva Bodrum Resort- Adult Only +16

The rooms were the biggest problem. Ours had no hot shower water for the first 48 hours, and the sink only had cold water. The shower drain was blocked, and it sat at the high end of the floor, so water pooled at the other end and we had to step into a cold puddle. The wardrobe doors made the frame drop out when opened, though it wasn't unusable or dangerous, and only three of its four drawers worked. Rusty bathroom handles, a fist-sized hole in the door patched with clear silicone, and a broken socket with exposed wires behind the two single beds rounded things out. There was a fridge, but no guarantee of a socket to plug it into. The second room wasn't much better: a smashed TV, hot water on only two of our seven days, and black mould all over the shower walls. Reception eventually had it cleaned after we kept raising it. They offered a free bottle of wine as compensation, which amused us at an all-inclusive resort where wine was readily available. Two black rubbish bags sat in the main corridor for three days. After the mould complaint the second room was cleaned daily, but the first room wasn't cleaned all week. Both rooms got fresh towels every other day. The staff were polite, welcoming, and accommodating. Some spoke basic English, and the others used a translation app. Food was good, varied each day, and there was a big salad bar and fruit and local desserts, so we didn't go hungry. But this resort is advertised as four stars and felt like a two-star place. It's built on a mountainside with lots of steps, something the hotel information doesn't mention and a frequent complaint among less agile guests. There are three pools, but one was closed and looked like green swamp. We were told there were two bars, but could only find one, apparently down by the bottom pool. From the middle pool, you had to go downstairs to fetch drinks and carry them back up. Would I return? Nope.

The food and drinks were decent, but the hygiene was awful. The main bar was a mess, and after the barmaid wiped a table in front of me, the old-rag smell stayed for an hour. Male bartenders smoked at the bar, bothered guests, and stared shamelessly. The female bartenders were nice, but the atmosphere overall was unpleasant. Around the pool, cigarette butts were under the loungers and tables weren't wiped. I cleaned one myself with a wet wipe, which turned black with dirt and grease. Our room floors were filthy too, clearly not washed. There wasn't any real entertainment or animation. In the evening one dancer performed, and it was boring. The beach is far away and hard to get to. I caught rotavirus on the first day, so I'd advise bringing medicine for diarrhea and viruses. This hotel is really only for people who aren't fussy or sensitive about cleanliness, maybe unpretentious young people or students with strong stomachs. I personally wouldn't return.

The views are the best thing about this hotel. The sunset bar was lovely, and the staff there were nice, especially a woman whose name means love in English. The food was good, varied each day, and kept stocked. The entertainment was poor, though, and the music didn't suit the crowd. It felt more like going clubbing. Our first room was so small, dirty, and dated that after one night we asked to move. The next day we got a slightly bigger, somewhat cleaner and more bearable room, but it still wasn't good and certainly didn't feel like four stars. The only lights were bedside lamps, and one had exposed wires. The fridge cupboard had a broken door, the bathroom was mouldy, and the quilts had no covers. Rooms weren't cleaned to any standard: our sheets weren't changed until we'd been there seven days, and I suspect the towels were just folded to look fresh. Don't expect the rooms to look like the pictures on booking sites. There are so many stairs that I don't think anyone could exaggerate the amount. There's a lift in the main building, but stairs are still needed to get anywhere. Most have no handrails and very poor lighting, and the natural stone steps are uneven, with some broken. The banister on the steps from the bar side up to the restaurant wobbles, so using the wall on the other side felt safer. My family and I didn't want to do much because the stairs put us off. We also had multiple power cuts and very poor WiFi. I don't know how this place got four stars. I'd give it two at most.

For what we paid, we had a nice stay. Our spacious room in the main building had a balcony, was cleaned daily, and came with fresh towels and water in the fridge. The shower could have been cleaner, so I wore flip-flops, but it wasn't a big problem. The pool was clean and had comfortable sunbeds. Food was okay, with plenty of choice and something different each day. Staff were polite and service was good. Zelena from entertainment was full of energy and always finding activities to get guests involved. If you want a relaxing stay with a great view and good value, I'd recommend it. But avoid this hotel if you have mobility issues, as there are too many steps.