Side Golden Rock Hotel 16+ Adults Only

We had a fantastic stay as a couple, and everything felt easy and relaxing. The hotel was very clean, the staff were kind and helpful, and there was a generous, delicious breakfast. Right in the heart of Side, it was just a short walk to the Ancient City. We’d be happy to return.

The restaurant was a real highlight. The food was delicious, and the staff were warm and attentive. Thanks especially to Yasar, Selma, Ebru, Rabia, Ahmet, Salih, Resul, Ilyas, Efe, Umut, and Hayriye for making our stay enjoyable. Ebru deserves special thanks for being so dedicated, professional, and hardworking. She notices what guests need and responds quickly and efficiently. She’s a truly wonderful woman. There was also a lovely, sweet lady who made the best omelet and most delicious pizza in the world. We stayed in July 2025, and apart from an unpleasant check-in with the front desk, the hotel stay itself was wonderful. I’d recommend it for the cleanliness and the staff. The reception experience fades with time. I hope they consider a course in assertive communication, especially the man dressed very casually who somehow decides everything, from how much you pay for internet to which floor you’ll stay on.

The room was lovely and clean when we arrived, with only a few minor issues. The air conditioner was directly opposite the bed, took about five minutes to start, and needed another five minutes to restart whenever opening the balcony door switched it off. Cleaning was mostly fine, and towels were changed regularly, but the toilet was never cleaned. Toiletries were not replenished: the bottled shower gel and shampoo ran out on day two and stayed empty, despite the bottles being visible. On day four we had to ask reception for more, were told they had shower gel but no shampoo, and then left notes for the cleaners. The hotel is new, built in 2022, clean, and for guests over 16 only. It’s close to the sea, with one pool that ends up in the shade from around 3 PM. The beach is about 550 metres away, a ten-minute walk. It was disappointing, as the hotel beach worked more like a public one. There was always space, but locals without wristbands and guests wearing wristbands from other hotels often had the best sunbeds. The beach had cigarette butts and bottle caps, the umbrellas were damaged and mostly had no tables, and cocktails at the paid beach bar cost €7. Meals were poor and repetitive. Breakfast was the worst, with limited choice and beverage machines that often didn’t work. Lunch and dinner didn’t offer much variety, and staff struggled to refill things. There’s only a functioning pool bar, where cocktails tasted like colored lemonade. Non-drinkers had very few choices, and the music was loud and monotonous. The staff were kind and helpful, but their English was poor. Germans seemed to get better service. Leaving was unpleasant too. Check-out was at 12, but our cards were deactivated at 11:20, so we had to ask for an extension to get our luggage. They cut our wristbands, and we would have missed lunch if we hadn’t said we were leaving at 7 PM. Apart from lunch, we couldn’t use the bar or even get water that last day. We felt like unwanted guests. Despite all that, we enjoyed the vacation thanks to the promenade, historic Side, and our trip to Alanya. Next time, though, we’d pick a different hotel.

The staff were the best part of our stay. They were so friendly, helpful, and always up for a chat, and they treated us like royalty. Thank you to Mustafa and everyone for a wonderful time. We’d definitely recommend the hotel to friends and family looking for a relaxing, child-free holiday. It was my wife’s and my first vacation in Side, and we’ve just returned. The food was very good, with a different menu each day, though the fruit selection stayed the same. The hotel was a good size, neither too big nor too small, and our room was great, although the bed felt a little too firm for us. The location was excellent, with lots of shops nearby. The beach was a five-minute walk away, and their own section of beach was another five minutes on foot. There were indoor and outdoor pools, but we didn’t use them. The indoor pool wasn’t heated after April.