Balcova Thermal Hotel

The spa was lovely, and the staff were very nice and showed us to our room. We also enjoyed the buffet, which had authentic Turkish food. The hotel is on the older side and has an 80s look, but we still had a great experience and a grand time.

We stayed one night, and the food was really tasty. The room was very clean, and we enjoyed the bathtub. I skipped the thermal pools with my four-year-old because I wasn't sure about the hygiene. People come here hoping to get better from different skin issues, after all. Still, I can highly recommend it for the friendly crew. 🥰

The cats around the building were lovely, and the bed was comfortable. Housekeeping staff were kind and helpful too. But for the price, I don’t think this hotel is worth it or deserves its current four-star rating. We even wondered if some of the happy reviews were fake. The hotel is rundown and needs a major renovation. Lights in our room didn’t work, there was mildew in the bath and shower, and other things were in poor condition. Customer service from reception was poor, and the general staff attitude felt strange and unprofessional. The wifi didn’t work, and when we asked for help, they didn’t do much. When pools were closed or being cleaned, there were no signs or information. Half the pools were unavailable during our visit. The food was bad, especially breakfast, so I wouldn’t buy meals there. They host weddings almost every night, and wedding guests take up all the parking, leaving paying guests struggling to find a spot in the evenings. I’d skip this hotel.

My travel guides, both online and in print, recommended this place with the astonishing claim that it “cures 95% of diseases.” It was hard enough to find detailed information, but when I checked the website, it only said they treat a tiny number of diseases, not cure them. It also lists a whole set of diseases that mean you shouldn’t go there. Good thing I looked beforehand.