Dream Of Side

The cleaners were lovely and did a great job. The pool was clean, with a toddler-friendly slide and a shaded baby pool; there were plenty of sunbeds and a nice beach. The kids also had a nice park to enjoy once the evenings cooled down. The rooms were kept clean, and the nearby restaurants were excellent, and essential to getting through the stay. The location gave good access to shops and restaurants. Side Town was charming, with historical sites; Surf Bar had fantastic live music every night; Sky Sarfan served a proper English breakfast with great service; and Ancient Restaurant had excellent pizzas and warm, attentive staff. That said, Dream of Side was the worst hotel I've stayed in, including plenty of 3-star places around the world. We've travelled on similar budgets in France, Germany, Mexico, Antalya, Marmaris, Italy, Egypt, Maldives, Croatia, Crete, Zante, and Bali, and never had an experience this poor. We paid around £3.5k for 4 adults and 1 toddler and expected the basics, but the hotel fell below even the lowest standards. I first thought the bad reviews were exaggerating, but they were being kind. The glowing reviews seemed fake or paid for and didn't reflect reality. Online photos looked outdated, and we spent a fortune eating out just to avoid the food. If you're considering it, don't. Pay a little more for a better hotel nearby or go somewhere else. There was NO ICE CREAM at an all-inclusive in 40°C heat. The food was awful, the same five trays each day: chips, plain pasta, plain rice, and two random stews with questionable meat. No variety or taste. Snacks were available for only one hour and were soggy wafers and dry biscuits. Breakfast was poor too, with no croissants, little choice, and no signs or effort. Getting back from the beach was a mess. At 6pm I was stranded in the blazing sun with a toddler and queued an hour for a 5-seater car, while pushy tourists cut in. There was no staff, organisation, or apology, and we spent our beach time anxious about getting home. The ancient bus stank, was always full, and people had to stand. The transfer was a joke. Bar service was slow and unfriendly. Often only one bar was open, with no staff there. Asking for a cocktail or omelette felt like bothering them, and drink orders were wrong. Pool toilets were filthy, often had no soap or paper, and the dispensers didn't work. With more than 2 people in a room, someone had to sleep on a rock-hard sofa that wasn't even a sofa bed, like concrete. There was no lift to the top floors. Most staff were unfriendly, rarely smiled, and made us feel like a burden. The lifeguard's constant whistle every time someone used the slide drove everyone mad. The whole hotel felt run-down and neglected, despite its good location.

On my sixth trip to Turkiye, I had my worst holiday experience so far. I usually choose Turkiye because people there are kind, helpful, and family-oriented, but Dream of Side hotel felt very different. One woman working at the bar, who also seemed to be a maid and was probably Russian, was hostile toward people from other countries. When I asked for vodka, she poured about 1 mm into the glass and said that was the standard. For vodka with cola and ice, she claimed the cola and ice had run out, but when I returned with a receptionist, cola suddenly became available. I intend to complain and seek compensation. I curse this hotel, and I won't visit Side again.

The friendly, efficient staff and lovely surroundings made this a great family budget stay. There are even two pet sheep and a goat who enjoy being fussed over. I don't usually book a three-star hotel, but this one deserves a five-star review. The rooms are simple, roomy, and comfortable, and the food was amazing for the rating. I've never come across a better salad bar. Hot dishes were served properly hot and cooked fresh. What more could you want?

The place feels true to its three-star rating, with cozy, tidy rooms and a great pool, though there aren't enough sunbeds, so booking one ahead is a good idea. The food and service were wonderful, even if there were queues. Staff from the owner and chefs to the waiters were friendly and helpful, and the receptionists treated us especially warmly, like family. There are supermarkets and places to visit nearby, but the seashore is a long way off. The free hotel shuttle runs every half hour, though it's uncomfortable when crowded. Russian guests are the majority, and Russian dominates the music and language. On arrival, a Russian-speaking woman greets holidaymakers and tries to steer them quickly toward massages. Wi-Fi is slow and only works at reception.