Side Miami Beach Hotel

We visited in mid-April, when it was quiet and there weren’t many other guests around. The room was clean and spacious, with a roomy balcony where I could fit in a quick yoga session. Staff spoke good English, and the price was low for what we got. It was also close enough to the beach and old town. The Turkish Bath next door was a great experience. The restaurant food was the weak point for us, so we ate in town instead.

The hotel is about five minutes from the beach, and it has an arrangement with GUA so guests can sit there for free. That was very nice. The air-conditioning was free and worked well enough. Breakfast was pretty good, with someone making eggs and pancakes, and the buffet was decent. The rooms were okay apart from the bathrooms, where black mold was coming through the shower grout. We changed rooms after a flight delay, but the new bathroom smelled strongly of old cigarette smoke that spread through the room and had even more mold. The AC in that room was stuck at maximum and couldn’t be controlled. Reception was mixed: the women were nice, while the man seemed not to care much.

The location made it easy to get around. The beach is about 100 meters away, and shops and restaurants are close too. Erdem's and Cevik's markets are roughly 50 meters from the hotel; the owners of both family businesses are friendly and can help with whatever you need. Migros and A101 are also not too far, while LC Waikiki, McDonald's, and Burger King are a short walk away. For lots of souvenirs and Turkish goods at friendly prices, Sali Pazari (AVM) has tons of options. Side old town is about a 10-minute walk and is well worth visiting. I spent seven nights here all-inclusive and was really happy with my choice. The price and quality were a great match. The reception team was fantastic, always friendly, polite, caring, and ready to help. Two of the women there did so much to make me feel welcome and at home, and I’m especially grateful to them. My room was comfortable, bright, and super clean. It was cleaned every day, the linens were changed every three days, and the cleaning lady on my floor did a great job. The rubbish was always taken out, there was never a shortage of toilet paper, the floor stayed clean, and the soap, shampoo, and shower gel were kept full. She even folded the toilet paper corner, a small detail that showed she knew her job. The fridge, hair dryer, AC, and TV all worked perfectly. The mattress and pillows were so comfortable that I’d love to have one of those pillows at home. There were dark curtains if you wanted the room darker, and everything looked relatively new. I had no complaints about the food. It was all tasty, with a good range of dishes, desserts, and fruit. I don’t often eat turkey, but it was cooked really well whenever it appeared on the menu. The chicken was good too. The bar team worked hard: dirty dishes were cleared right away, the floor was cleaned before meals, and tablecloths were changed. There’s a little library at reception, an aquarium with two goldfish, and a cute bird. I’d happily recommend this hotel to other travelers in Side. All the best to the staff, and thanks for the hospitality!

The family-run hamam just outside the hotel entrance was a lovely part of the trip. The staff were kind, friendly, and caring, and the bath treatment was relaxing. Special thanks to Ümit, a gentle massage therapist who eased my neck pain and pointed out areas that may need further treatment. I’d asked my travel agent for somewhere in central Side with nature, cultural heritage, and a cozy hotel, and they suggested this place. I’m more than happy with the holiday. The atmosphere and staff were pleasant, and at the beginning of May it was quiet, without crowds of loud tourists. The peaceful garden and birds singing just outside my window made it especially nice.