Dream World Aqua Hotel - All Inclusive

We had no issues with the hotel itself, but the in-house photographer caused real problems. We were pressured every day to book a photo shoot, and agreements weren't kept. We were then asked to pay more than the amount first agreed. Other guests ran into the same issues. We'd hoped for a pleasant family photo session, so the dishonest dealings were a big disappointment. We can't recommend the service. One of the photographers, a bald man, was especially disrespectful and dishonest. We told the manager, as several other guests had complained about him too.

Our last night here is tonight, and I would definitely come back. The food is great, the pools are awesome, and the woman at the bar is really friendly. Reception has also been great. My 85-year-old mother-in-law felt unwell, and thank goodness there's a clinic inside the hotel. Thanks for the good service, highly recommended.

The beach is pleasant, with plenty of seating, and the hotel bus goes there every 15 minutes. It's a shame that ice cream costs extra there under the all-inclusive plan, and cocktails aren't available. The beach restaurant serves good lunch, but fruit is the only dessert. The hotel itself isn't close to the beach. Side wasn't that interesting to me, mostly similar bazaars selling fake brand clothes, though if you enjoy haggling you could spend a nice day there. You can rent a car or book trips for nature, sailing, or ancient ruins. The resort was generally okay, but nothing was great and nearly everything came with a qualification. It didn't feel like a five-star place. The hamam was nice, but the sewage treatment plant next door was smelly. Wi-Fi was awful throughout. I don't mind being offline for a few days, but it added to the list of annoyances. Our room was clean but dated, and the beds were rock hard, which my back hated. The hotel said it wasn't hot enough to turn on the AC, so the room got very warm. There wasn't a family room with proper beds for two kids, just a double and single plus a baby bed. The alternative was a separate room, which didn't suit us because our kids were too young to sleep alone but too big for a baby bed. Maybe the travel agent made the booking mistake, but the hotel didn't do much to help sort it out. I'd give the rooms three stars, not great, not terrible. Most staff were unfriendly, though they did their jobs. One or two were nice, especially Ahmet, thanks! Food in the restaurant was good, fresh, and reasonably varied. The snack areas were mediocre and served the same things every day. There were lines everywhere, as if the hotel lacked capacity for the number of guests. The pool was clean and had lifeguards, but some slides were shut, including the biggest ones, with no clear explanation. My daughter loved the minidisco, though 20:30 was late for my kids. Cocktails were included in the all-inclusive package, which was nice. The unfriendly service, with staff still expecting tips, was a big reason I give the stay two stars. We had an okay holiday, at least the place was clean, the food decent, and the pool fine. But it was so busy, with waiting everywhere and too many little frustrations, that I was glad to head home two days early. I can't recommend it and don't want to return. Maybe all-inclusive resorts aren't for me; I don't know if this is typical of Side, but it was below what I wanted. I probably won't choose this kind of holiday in Turkey again, if ever. I'd rather spend that money on a villa or hotel in Italy, Austria, or somewhere else. This wasn't it.

The noise next door was a major problem. A nightclub played music and carried on partying every night until 6 a.m. I don't mind nightlife, and it could suit young travelers or singles, but families with kids should be warned. The hotel's website doesn't mention it, which feels unfair because it makes it hard to rest. I don't usually leave reviews, good or bad, and often just let travel experiences be what they are. But after Dreamworld Aqua, I wanted to give future guests an honest heads-up. It calls itself a five-star hotel, though I'd put the experience closer to 3.5 or four stars. First-time visitors to Turkey might find it decent; if you've stayed at true five-star resorts there, you'll probably be disappointed. Wi-Fi was unreliable the whole time. In the room, shower water could suddenly shift from cold to extremely hot, which was frustrating. Staff service felt unprofessional. I respect people working hard for a living, but sometimes it felt as though we were serving them, not the other way around. One example: a staff member took my plate while I was still eating. They seemed rushed, and the hotel appeared overbooked and unable to cope with the number of guests. The all-inclusive beer was another letdown. We were told several times it contained alcohol, but it was clearly non-alcoholic. I've had enough beer to know the difference, and it felt deceptive. Food was also disappointing, with almost the same choices day after day. For a family holiday costing close to €4,000, you'd expect a memorable food experience, and that wasn't what we got. Dreamworld Aqua didn't meet the standard it advertises. Poor service, unreliable amenities, misleading information, and little consideration for families made the stay underwhelming. I don't write reviews often, but felt this one was needed to help others decide.