Sumela Garden

The food was tasty, the beach was clean in autumn, and there was a varied entertainment program. Staff were friendly too. Devran at the bar deserves a mention: always smiling and responsive, happy to chat, and quick to make a really good cocktail.

We went to Turkey at the beginning of September through Čedok for the first time. The woman at the agency recommended Sumela garden hotel. I have no complaints about the agency, and check-in went smoothly. After that, though, the week was a disaster. The room looked nothing like the photos and seemed past its best, like the rest of the old hotel. It looked clean at first, but I couldn't sleep that first night because something was biting me. I woke with bites, and it kept happening throughout the stay. I won't even get started on the bathroom. I don't know whether it had ever been cleaned. Meals were another mess: very little choice, cold and unpleasant food, and no hygiene. Cupboards, cutlery and tables were all dirty. Desserts were about the only thing worth eating. Cats wandered through the restaurant, which made me uneasy. I have a cat at home and don't mind cats generally, but in a restaurant I'd want them vaccinated and kept out. Everything was buffet style, and getting food felt like running an obstacle course. I know staff can't control the guests' attitudes, but some coordination would help so we didn't have to fight our way around. I barely had one proper meal all week. On Sunday, the DJ announced a disco during dinner. The stage is right beside the hotel, so you can imagine how pleased I was. I'd thought there was a quiet-hours rule at 10 p.m. Since it's a holiday area, I figured they might stretch it to 10:30, and that's what happened. But the hotel across the road then decided to put on a disco too, starting at 10:40 p.m. We also had very “empathetic neighbors” above us. The hotel couldn't control that, but it's something you might run into. Music played until late evening and early morning all week. Bring earplugs, and buy them before you travel because the pharmacies there don't sell them. After just two days, I was hungry enough to go to a nearby shop. Watch the prices, especially at hotel shops that make money from tourists. I thought prices were reasonable, similar to ours. We also had to buy five liters of water because, as I understand it, the water in Turkey isn't potable. That cost €4. A coconut was €9, and it was broken, so we threw it away. I don't recommend the pool. I went in once and then had women's health problems. The pharmacy is close, but they didn't understand me and sold me allergy medicine despite my using a translation app. I only got the right medicine at a second pharmacy. The sea was beautiful, clean and pleasant, and we came at a good time in early September, so there was plenty of room and no trouble finding sunbeds. That's the only good thing about the hotel and the whole holiday. I DON'T RECOMMEND THE HOTEL.

After a bad stay at our previous hotel, we booked two nights at Sumela Garden Hotel and were pleasantly surprised. The room was clean and tidy, with everything brand new, and there was a tasty range of food to choose from. Thanks for that. The team worked hard and were very professional, especially the animator and bartender. The pool was clean, with a lovely sea view, and the beach area was really nice. I'd recommend the hotel to anyone. I'm glad I found it and hope to see you again.

Reading the reviews, I thought it couldn't be that bad, but this is a mediocre hotel. The food is absolutely inedible. They charge for things, even water, during certain hours, so don't believe the all-inclusive claim. Bees land on the food, and there are cats in the restaurant. They don't serve snacks because there aren't staff for snacks and pancakes. Worst of all, the fountains run with salt water like seawater.