Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Cesme

The location was excellent, and our room was clean and modern. We were generally satisfied after four nights at Radisson Blu Çeşme, but the experience didn't feel like a five-star stay, and it wasn't comparable to other Radisson Blu hotels I've visited. Staff were friendly, though very few spoke English, which made simple conversations difficult. Breakfast had a huge and excellent selection, but tables weren't cleared quickly and coffee came only from an outdated machine, with no freshly brewed option. In the spa, the space was large and pleasant, but just one of the three saunas worked. The steam room was running but smelled unpleasant, and the rain shower was out of order. We also had a loud wedding one evening, with no advance notice. It didn't bother us too much, but it wouldn't suit someone hoping for a relaxing break. There were sound checks and setup around the pool during the day as well. It's a nice hotel, but I'd rate it closer to four stars than five.

The pool sits right by the sea, and the hotel is in a great spot, very close to Ilica hotel. The rooms seemed five-star by Turkish standards, though more like three or four stars compared with Europe or the US. Food and breakfast were just okay. For a Turkish hotel it was good, but I wouldn't expect the same quality or taste as European or American food. It's a reasonable choice if medium standards suit you, though I expected more from Radisson.

We chose this recently renovated Radisson-affiliated hotel for five summer nights because of the reasonable price, private sandy beach, and my Diamond status. The location is great, and the large pool was clean, with fresh towels always available. There were plenty of loungers at the mostly sandy beach, and despite some chill from the wind and season, the sea was enjoyable. Still, the public toilets were a long ten-minute walk away and often dirty, and an abandoned beach bar looked bad. Check-in was quick and parking plentiful. We were told my status gave us 15% off food and drinks, but no other benefits; although our room was upgraded to sea view, the program's suite upgrade wasn't offered. The clean room was pleasant and had a sea view, though the neighboring nightclub was noisy until midnight. Cigarette smoke lingered throughout the room, the worst issue for me. The balcony had a lot of bird droppings despite thorough cleaning. Shampoo and body wash were fixed to the bathroom wall, while conditioner was left on the floor. Service was mostly hard to notice, with staff clearing tables or bringing orders. For beach drinks we had to go to the bar and try to get someone's attention. One breakfast server, a red-haired lady, stood out for being genuinely kind and welcoming. There was a frustrating towel incident too. Security stopped and questioned us for taking beach towels to another beach, even though we had three nights left and no intention of stealing them. Staff chased our car and knocked on the window instead of letting us know more tactfully beforehand. Breakfast had the wide selection you'd expect at a Turkish hotel, but freshness was lacking: stale simits, dry vegetables, cheap powder-based juice and coffee. The restaurant was dark and uninviting. This is a decent, basic summer hotel, but it misses important details like the smoke smell, poor beach toilet upkeep, lack of personal service, and bathroom supplies left unattached. The location is strong and there's room to improve. My stay wasn't memorable, but I might return if those problems are fixed.

The relaxing feel of the hotel made our stay wonderful, and the Turkish hamam at the spa was a highlight. Dilek at the front desk gave us a warm, professional welcome, while Meltem at the spa reception was kind and provided great service. They both made us feel looked after. We'll definitely come back!