Well Palace Side

We were 11 in our extended family, seven adults and four kids, and we’ve all stayed in Turkey before. This was the worst hotel any of us has ever been to. I can’t paste my TripAdvisor review here, so I’ll add the link once it’s accepted: www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g297968-d25350054-r957500289 AVOID THIS HOTEL

We were worried after reading the reviews, but our five nights with two adults and our seven-year-old were brilliant. The pools, entertainment, and beach were all very good, and there were plenty of sunbeds. Staff across the hotel, from the cleaners and kitchen team to the waiters and animation crew, were lovely. They did their best to help, even when their English wasn’t perfect, and we didn’t encounter anyone rude. It’s also fair to remember they work long hours in the heat. There was lots of food to choose from in the main restaurant and at the pool and beach, so our picky son always found something. A few items weren’t labelled, which was the one downside. The hotel costs less than other five-star places, so don’t expect extra luxury at that price. We’re already making plans to come back next year with friends and family. Focusing too hard on little things can get in the way of enjoying a holiday.

Serif kept things lively with games and parties by the pool and at the beach, and he was friendly throughout. My wife and I also enjoyed the food, the beach, and the lobby bar. We had a good time at this hotel, and the girls gave us a very good massage at the spa.

The bed was comfortable, and there was plenty of cheese and roasted olives. We liked the rose wine with Sprite when they had it, the free ice cream after 2.00 pm, and the bottled water left in the room each day. Zanab in the clothes shop was lovely and helpful. The Gold spa package was amazing too, though don’t pay the asking price: it was 90 euros for 120 minutes, and we paid 60 euros for 150 minutes. Those positives didn’t make up for a disappointing two weeks at Well Palace. We arrived at 4.00 am and were offered food, but it was a stale cheese roll barely wrapped in cling film. The service and management problems kept coming. The bathroom drain smelled awful, and when we reported it, the porter just sprayed air freshener. At breakfast there were often no cups for tea or coffee, only small paper juice cups. Tables weren’t cleared properly, and we had to keep asking for cutlery. Food was consistently cold, even after microwaving it. There weren’t English breakfast staples like bacon, beans, or mushrooms. They did have hot dog or German/garlic sausages, chips, pancakes, cheese, processed meats, olives, and yoghurt. I know you don’t travel abroad for English food, but catering only to Europeans felt unwelcoming. Coke, lemonade, and rum regularly ran out at the pool and reception bars. The TVs had no English channels, and the USB ports were locked so we couldn’t use Fire Sticks. The animation schedule repeated daily. After a couple of days, our whole group got sick with diarrhoea and vomiting. When we mentioned it, staff said quite a few people were sick and it might be the pool or food. The nurse didn’t speak English, though she spoke German fluently. We skipped the evening shows after a very bad belly dancing performance. Also, don’t leave money out in your room, because staff from the porter to the cleaner assume it’s for them. We’ve stayed in Side before and were truly disappointed. We and other English guests often felt we weren’t valued. This hotel seems geared toward Europeans, and for all these reasons we won’t return or recommend it. Look elsewhere. It isn’t a Well-Palace.