Arbatt Hotel Marmaris

We booked this five-night break at the last minute, and the location was amazing, especially as there was no entertainment at the hotel. The beach was only a two-minute walk away, with plenty of places to sit. There are three small pools, though seating is limited and they get no sun after noon. Our room was clean and comfortable, if a bit small, and the beds were incredibly comfortable. It was cleaned every day. Some guests we spoke to had rooms at the back and said theirs were dirty, with no shower heads and ants and dead bugs. They complained, moved to the front, and said they had no further issues. The food left us with mixed feelings. The two of us could always find something to eat, but families with children might struggle to keep them happy. Nothing was labeled, so it was hard to know exactly what you were eating. Drinks were local beers and branded soft drinks, with no cocktail list. All-inclusive service stopped at 10pm, after which you had to pay. It was a cheap, quick getaway and did the job for us.

The restaurant view is beautiful, and I always had enough to eat, but the choice was limited. There were five hot dishes, breakfast was eggs for me because the other options weren't to my taste, and there were no separate children's meals. On most days the vegetarian choices were salad and rice. Drinks and food felt below what I expect at a 4-star hotel, and you have to pay after 9pm. The small outdoor seating area wasn't available throughout my stay. My first room was clean, though it could have been cleaner. The bathroom light didn't work and the hot water wasn't hot. After I complained, I was moved two days later. The second room was better, but still could have been cleaner. The pools don't get sun all day, so you have to follow it around. One pool is beside the street, while the other two sit in a courtyard surrounded by the hotel. There's no indoor pool, evening entertainment, or kids' club, and the pools are about all there is for children. For me, this is a basic hotel, and the 4-star label needs some updates to feel right. If it were listed as 3-star, with proper cleaning, more food and drink choices, and current photos, I think people would have fewer complaints. It could suit you if it's very cheap and you're happy with somewhere like a Travelodge. If you're paying more and want modern rooms or a wow factor, I'd look elsewhere. I saw another 4-star hotel nearby, and its room was worse than this one, so a 5-star place in the area may be worth considering.

The location was the only good part for us. The food was horrible, the same every day and without any flavor. The rooms were old and dated, and the staff mostly seemed miserable and unwelcoming. The daytime receptionist was the one friendly person; the man at the pool bar had no customer service skills. The all-inclusive offer felt very limited: beer, wine or vodka, with no other spirits, and soft drinks only until noon. Please don't waste your money here. I think the positive reviews are fake because their authors seem to have reviewed nowhere else. Locals also told us the hotel changes its name often so people think it's new, though it's the same place. I don't usually write reviews unless I feel it's needed, and I do in this case. Pay attention to the negative reviews.

We ended up here after arriving at another hotel that was a horror show, and the reception manager was very kind and made us feel welcome. We were looked after well. We didn't make much use of the all-inclusive food since we like eating out, but we had breakfast a couple of times and were happy with the usual Turkish holiday buffet. The location is fabulous, with sea views at sunrise and the beach about a minute away. It's our third time in icmeler, and we can't wait to come back next year.