SURAL HOTEL

Ismael was a lovely waiter, very friendly, and spoke quite a bit of Polish, which helped me a lot. The gardens are beautiful and the beach is good. Those were the bright spots in a disappointing stay for our 10th wedding anniversary. I booked a 5-star hotel expecting something special, but couldn't wait to get home. I'll return to Turkey, just not this hotel. The room was very basic and needs updating. The hotel felt old, the windows were dirty, the shower was blocked, and in room 74 a light switch was held in place by tissues stuffed behind it. That was dangerous. I had paid for a seaside room but was placed in building 7, a long walk from the sea and restaurant with no sea view. After I complained the next day, they moved me to building 2. The pool water was absolutely freezing. There was German music and German entertainment, and staff automatically spoke German even when I said I didn't understand. Outside reception, staff generally didn't understand or speak English, and they didn't smile or help. Ordering was a struggle: I asked for rum and coke and got only coke, then ordered two and received coke with two ice cubes. Food seemed focused on quantity instead of quality, with the same items repeated, especially sausages and minced beef. Entertainment was very poor and boring. If you don't speak German or the local language, you'll feel left on your own and bored. I wish the hotel had clearly stated the language preference; I'd have booked elsewhere. I came to Turkey for Turkish music and experiences and was disappointed to get none of that. I'll research the language situation more carefully next time.

The grounds are lush and well kept, and the beach is lovely, with fine sand, plenty of sunbeds, useful showers, and foot-rinse stations. Rooms and public bathrooms were clean, Wi-Fi was strong, there were lots of water stations, and the minibar water was replenished daily. The food was tasty, while drinks were just okay. I stayed for a week all-inclusive, at about €950 pp, but the value didn't quite match the price for me. The bathroom had only a fixed overhead shower, and a handheld one would be more practical. There was no contact directory by the room phone, making reception inconvenient to reach from far away. Sound insulation was poor, so plumbing and corridor noise carried into the room. Soft drinks tasted like cheap generic brands. With better room features, phone information, and drinks, this could be excellent.

The pool was lovely, and there were enough sunbeds throughout the day. The sea was a few minutes' walk away, and the grounds and paths were beautiful for an evening stroll. The location was good too, near shops and local restaurants. Our room was fine, with a comfortable bed and nice balcony, though it didn't feel 5-star and could use an upgrade. The hotel's food wasn't great. Breakfast was the same every day, and fruit was about the only thing I felt like eating.

We visited in 2023. The food had plenty of variety, and we especially liked the grill area. Breakfast and dinner out on the terrace, looking over the garden, were the best part. Most alcohol seemed local, though I really enjoyed the wine. The beach restaurant could be cleaner, but dinner at the Al-carte Turkish cuisine was unforgettable. The hotel has two large pools, slides, and a kids' pool called the "frog pool." It's a pleasant walk to the sandy beach. The sea sometimes had big waves, but they were visible, so we had no problem. Sunbeds were always available, although sometimes other people's towels were on them. Our room was clean and had a side sea view. The bedding and towels were clean but worn and overwashed, and could have been replaced. We had mixed feelings. Things were generally fine if you don't nitpick, but the old-fashioned interior and buildings gave us the impression of being in Anapa in 1995. They could use design updates. I'd recommend taking a dolmuş (shared minibus) to Side, which runs directly to the old town and back. It costs about €3 per person and takes around 20 minutes.