The Bodrum Royal Palace Hotel

Dinner and lunch at the main restaurant and à la carte Zaatar were excellent, though the service was uneven. Some staff were friendly, while others looked like they didn’t want to be there. We liked that there wasn’t much entertainment. Toward season’s end, it was easy to find a spot by the beach or pool, and beach staff removed unattended towels, so guests couldn’t reserve loungers early. That was a big plus. There were only 2 of the 4 à la carte restaurants open, and the ice cream shop, snack bar, and poolside coffee place were closed. The beach itself was in good shape, but the outdoor areas need maintenance: loose tiles in the pools and bathrooms, rusty beach railings, and broken sunbeds. Our room was tidy but only superficially cleaned. There was a nasty sewage smell from the bathroom pipes, and water often stayed in the shower. The cleaning woman was very kind, so we tipped her twice, but she seemed to have a whole floor to herself and probably didn’t have enough time. No Netflix in the room either, which could have been nice on a rainy end-of-season day. The beach bar cocktails depended on who made them. Sometimes they were balanced and good, other times awful, like a mojito made with vodka, sparkling water, ice, and a few mint leaves. I’d tipped the bartender before that one, which was clearly a mistake. Drinks at the lobby bar were much better. Checkout was disappointing too: I handed in the room cards and got a brief goodbye, with no one asking how the stay was. For the price, I wouldn’t call this a premium hotel, especially given the service. There are better choices.

The beach was good, and the restaurant food tasted quite nice. The service, though, was awful. Dinner tables were always dirty, chairs had stains, and getting drinks or anything else took ages. Service was bad at all the restaurants and beach bars. I wouldn’t recommend it.

The sea and location are great, and children have a lot of fun here. The world cuisine is done really well, so we’ll definitely come back. You can choose to stay in your own villa instead of a hotel room, which feels really special.

We’ve already stayed here twice and can’t wait to come back. Highly recommend it if you want a luxurious break with genuinely warm hospitality. The food was fresh, full of flavor, and carefully presented, and the breakfast buffet was one of the best we’ve had. The welcoming, professional staff paid attention to every detail and made us feel well looked after throughout. The hotel is stunning, with a design that blends luxury and comfort. Whether we were by the pool, eating at the restaurant, or walking through the gardens, the atmosphere felt peaceful, elegant, and warm.