Sarot Termal Park Resort & Spa

The staff were friendly, always greeting us with a smile and helping as much as they could. The location is lovely, tucked away in the hills, with a misty forest around it depending on the season. The hotel needs a full refurbishment. Everything feels as if it’s coming apart, from the beds, carpets, curtains and bathrooms to the tiny TV that’s uncomfortable to watch from bed. The breakfast buffet had very little choice. I didn’t get to try afternoon tea or dinner, which is another regular buffet. The hot springs feeding the men’s pool were out of use while being repaired. I paid 400tl for an hour in the family pool, but it badly needed a deep clean. It feels like the hotel is cutting costs, and the quality of the stay is suffering because of it.

For a family holiday at that price, we expected much better. Cleanliness, the rooms, food and drink, and the activities that were advertised all left us seriously disappointed. The bathrooms were dark and yellowed, and the bathtubs were narrow and so high that they would be hard to use, especially for older people. We asked when booking if all rooms had balconies and were told yes. When we arrived, we found that they had been enclosed, something no one had clearly mentioned. The food had a range of dishes, but they were much the same each day, some didn't seem fresh, and most weren't tasty. Drink choices were limited. The website listed billiards and foosball, but neither was available during our stay. The pools were one of the few positives. Still, the outdoor pool was for men only, while the women's pool was packed with children and uncomfortable to use.

We booked on a whim for the holiday and it turned into a huge disappointment. There was an odd smell in the lobby, which we brushed off at first, but the pool area smelled strongly of sewage. Our first room was extremely small, so we went back and paid extra for a premium room. It was big enough, but not clean, especially the bathroom, and dirt on the windows spoiled the view. The room had air conditioning, but we couldn't use it. Staff said it was a central system and it was already cold. Only after my wife called several times and asked for a refund did they finally switch it on. The Wi-Fi was so weak we couldn't connect our PC and had to use our own internet. All we found at first were water, tea bags and cardboard cups. I understand not stocking snacks in the fridge, but cardboard cups? We asked for an iron and it arrived without an ironing board. When we called back, they said they had none and suggested laying towels out instead. My wife also noticed that the pool floor was coming loose. The desserts were a complete fiasco, and the main courses weren't very good either. I wish we'd read the reviews before booking.

The kids' club was a big disappointment. Our main reason for coming was to let the children have fun, but we only went to one evening activity, a balloon popping contest with prizes. My 9-year-old daughter was left competing with one child. Just as that child was about to be eliminated, another child started crying, so they put her up against my daughter instead. My daughter was drenched in sweat, and the contest kept going between the two of them. I asked what the point was if the winner was already decided. The animator then declared them both winners and handed them Eti Puf, a Turkish snack. It was unbelievable. They'd laid out colorful balloons in front of the children as if those were prizes, but apparently the balloons were for sale. If you're going to run a contest for kids, make it fair and do it properly, or don't hold one. The person running it was at least 70 and looked unhappy, as though they were being made to do the job or weren't being paid. I hope management replaces that team right away. I won't comment on the food or rooms.