Heaven Resort Faralya

There was litter visible around the hotel grounds from our terrace, and dinner felt flat, with very little atmosphere and a very limited menu. The pool and sun loungers shown in the listing weren't available, and nobody told us beforehand. With nowhere else to relax, we were left with our room and terrace, furnished only with uncomfortable wicker chairs. The service also made us uneasy. The atmosphere felt strange, and communication was abrupt both during the stay and afterward. We ended up leaving a day early and going home, which added to our costs. Even getting back to the airport brought another hassle. We were told the taxi could be paid for by card, but payment wasn't taken beforehand, so we had to use an airport ATM and pay extra fees. The stay was uncomfortable throughout, and we wouldn't choose this place again.

The infinity pool and the view really are beautiful. But that didn't make the price feel justified, especially with the problems we had. The biggest issue was the bill after a couple of days. It was about 3,500 Turkish lira, roughly £80, too high. They first showed me a calculator total, and I had to ask for an itemized breakdown. Several things were wrongly included: a pricey starter the waiter had offered as a treat after a drinks mix-up, a bottle of wine we hadn't ordered that was opened and explained as a misunderstanding, cocktails we'd already agreed not to pay for because they were wrong, and even a drink I'd bought somewhere else. I caught the errors and got them taken off, but I'm still waiting for the hotel to send back 760 TL for the wine we didn't have. This shouldn't have happened at all. The staff were warm when we arrived, but after I raised the bill issue, things turned bitter. Three people questioned me, and the owner laughed us out because he didn't understand why we were giving that feedback. Customers should be listened to, and you shouldn't be given food or drinks without knowing what's in them. For what the hotel costs, small things were missing too. Cocktails were made incorrectly, and we weren't told what went into them, which could be dangerous for someone with allergies. The white and rosé wine was served warm. I shouldn't have to explain how to make an ice bucket here. We also had to ask for our room to be cleaned on the second day. They said they'd see what they could do because cleaners were busy with rooms for new guests. They did clean it, but it was odd that we had to ask, and it might not have happened otherwise. The restaurant was very expensive compared with other places we'd stayed. Because of the location and not wanting to drive at night, we had to eat there. Sea bass was about £20, which is expensive in Turkey. We paid for a luxury break to feel carefree, but ended up stressed. Check the bill carefully if you stay.

The dinner was a highlight for me. Chef Mehmet Yalçınkaya and his team prepared fresh-caught seafood beautifully, and the appetizers had flavors I'd never tried before. Mr. Mehmet and the team also shared lovely stories through the evening, which made talking with them a real pleasure. I was especially taken with the heated pool and the jacuzzi in the garden beside it. We enjoyed both during the day and at night, even though the weather was a little chilly. The views were sweeping in daylight, then magical under the stars. That warm water is hard to resist. It was my first time enjoying this kind of luxury, and the jacuzzi is legendary. The room was comfortable, and the staff, particularly Mr. Mehmet, Ms. Aslı, and the rest of the team, welcomed us so warmly that we felt like treasured guests in a close friend's home. In a word, it was perfection. Vista del Amor Faralya has a distinctive concept. Through my profession I've stayed at many hotels, conference venues, and holiday destinations, and this felt different from them. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable getaway. Don't hesitate to book as soon as you can. I can't wait to return to Vista del Amor Faralya. With love and respect, [Laith Asaad]

We found exactly the mountain view we were hoping for, and the people there were amazing too. Oludeniz is only a 24-minute drive away, but the views from up in these mountains are on another level.