Mary Palace Resort & Spa

Our first trip to Turkey was unforgettable. This really was a 5-star hotel, and everything was just as we expected.

We had a great week at the Mary Palace Resort. The children enjoyed the pool and water slides, and the animation was lovely, especially Legend and the others. The food was fantastic, and the staff were very kind. We tried learning a few Turkish words and enjoyed how enthusiastically the crew encouraged us. We'd recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a quality stay.

The value for money was very good, and we felt well looked after. It seemed fully booked, yet lunch and dinner ran smoothly: there was always a table, dishes were cleared quickly, and someone would appear to take a drink order. The food was plentiful, varied a little each day, and everything I tried was fresh and delicious. The desserts were perhaps a bit too sweet. The resort is spacious, luxurious and clean, with a nice pool and slides. The beach is a five-minute shuttle ride away, with a bus every 15 minutes. Everyone on staff was helpful and kind, including the friendly person watching the water slides. The entertainment was less successful for me. Compared with similar resorts, the animation team seemed short on enthusiasm and new ideas. There was the same tired darts game each day, the children's disco leaders weren't inspiring, and the evening shows felt unimaginative. The animators didn't do much to lift the audience, and in my opinion the shows didn't reflect Turkish culture. I didn't attend every night, though. The photographer was pushy and the prices were steep. The 20-minute shoot and photo package cost 200$. Ask the price first and bargain, since it can be negotiated. The photos did turn out really awesome.

Our first family holiday here was a great time. We're from Holland, and are hoping to come back next year. The hotel was clean, the food was good, the staff were nice, and there was enough to keep everyone busy. The animation team was great, especially Gökhan. Nothing went wrong for us.