Numa Club Side

For the price, this is very good value, especially for families. There’s lots for children, including a kinder-disco, kids club, large playground, and plenty of activities. The hotel is big and well organised, with genuinely lovely service. Getting to the nearby beach is easy with the shuttle, and there’s a private beach area and beach restaurant. The food selection is broad, but the quality wasn’t amazing. There are only two lifts, so waits can happen, and the indoor pool water is quite cold. The bedrooms are a little old but still comfortable. There isn’t much around the hotel beyond other hotels. Even so, we had a very good experience and would definitely return.

Entertainment was available even in November, though over a two-week stay some acts repeat. There was plenty of food to choose from, the hotel was clean, and the renovated sections looked nice. A bus route runs past the hotel. Inside seating is limited, which matters when you don’t want to sit in the cold. The tipping culture was uncomfortable, with tip boxes everywhere, from the beach drive and bars to reception, and you’d see people tipping staff to get things done. The rooms were dated to the point of falling apart, and there wasn’t a double bed. Staff understood little English. I know that isn’t their fault, but why sell holidays to English-speaking people if they can’t understand them? Hot food was usually just warm, never hot. Rules weren’t enforced: children used the adult pool, people banged on doors at 3am, glass drinks were by the pool, and sunbeds were reserved all day without being used. It was an OK place for a few days, but I definitely wouldn’t go back. By the end of our ten-day stay I just wanted to go home.

The grounds and pools were lovely and clean, though people sometimes put towels on sunbeds and then left for day trips without coming back. At the quiet pool we liked, that meant we sometimes had to sit in the shade while their towels were out in the sun. This was mainly German visitors. The lifts only fit four people, and in a huge hotel the cleaners work very hard. One day, my friend and I were in the lift with two cleaners when a German man got in at the next floor and set off the alarm. He wouldn’t leave, so the cleaners had to get out. That sort of rudeness was irritating during the stay. We had an 11-night holiday and really enjoyed it. The hotel stays very clean, even checking the lifts throughout the day. We arrived late and were given a room with a double bed, so we moved the next morning. That was really a booking issue, since you can’t choose the bed setup when reserving. The shower was the hottest I’ve experienced abroad and very powerful, which made washing my long hair easier. Staff at every level worked long hours and were always friendly and ready to help. The food was among the best I’ve had abroad. Turkey’s desserts had an excellent range and quality. We also had the à la carte meal down by the beach, which was lovely and a nice change, but book as soon as you arrive because availability can run out when it’s busy. We took a bus to Side old town one day and had a lovely, inexpensive lunch by the marina. Cocktails were nice, though I missed proper Bacardi, as often happens at all-inclusive hotels. Trips could be booked onsite, and taxis and buses from opposite the hotel made it easy to go out; both brought us back to the entrance. Prices were reasonable, and they do prefer euros, so you don’t need much Turkish Lire. The beach opposite is sandy and a short walk away, or you can take a golf buggy style vehicle. The sunbeds have shade, so we just lay on a towel in the sun. I’d definitely recommend the hotel. Thanks for a lovely holiday.

We really enjoyed our week here. Rana’s morning yoga was great, and the cold Draught Guiness was just what we wanted in the heat. Staff were friendly, everything was kept very clean, and the beach was a short walk away. There was also a golf buggy shuttle running during the day.