Cabir Deluxe Hotel

The mattresses were dirty, the room was poorly arranged, and the service was awful. When we asked for a replacement, management wouldn't cooperate. I wouldn't recommend it.

The room temperature was the one real problem during our autumn stay. It got so hot we couldn't sleep even with the windows open. The hotel's old style central heating and cooling system doesn't let you choose a mode room by room, so the whole hotel has to be set to heat or cool. Since some guests had children, the staff chose heating, and the floor heating made it worse. We only managed to sleep on the night they switched to cooling, which was uncomfortable for some other guests. This needs sorting out. Until then, guests who want warm rooms could be put on different floors from those who don't, as hotels do with smoking and non-smoking rooms. Aside from that, we enjoyed four nights at Cabir Deluxe Hotel in October 2024. It was a pleasant surprise in Sapanca, and I'm glad we tried it. We usually choose halal resorts around Antalya, Marmaris, and the Mediterranean, so I wasn't sure a resort near Istanbul without a beach could match them. What impressed me most was how seriously the hotel treated halal. It went beyond having no alcohol anywhere and offering some women-only services. It was the first halal hotel I'd experienced with separate swimming pools for women and men. The women's facilities were comprehensive and fully separate from the men's. We also appreciated that there were no products, drinks or otherwise, from the boycott list anywhere in the hotel, including the rooms, restaurant, and cafes. There was a strict no-mobile-phone rule in the women's area, and nudity was prohibited even in the sauna and Turkish hamam. The indoor women's pool was thoughtfully placed behind a glass wall, with a magnificent view of Sapanca lake below, which made for a relaxing atmosphere. Both the women's and men's areas offered a wide massage menu, with professional staff from Türkiye and Indonesia. The Turkish hamam was an experience not to miss. I especially want to thank Sinta, the courteous and well-mannered Indonesian woman, for giving me such an enjoyable massage and hamam visit. The hotel staff were diligent and quick to handle questions. Miss Sara Shakwer, a senior staff member, was available practically 24/7, even when she wasn't on duty. I appreciated how calmly, professionally, and quickly she dealt with issues. I look forward to another stay at this beautiful resort on one of Sapanca's hills.

We spent six wonderful nights here with the family, and I'm glad we gave it a try despite some unhappy reviews. It's a genuine five-star facility, not just a slogan. The rooms were exceptionally clean, and the staff ran things smoothly, welcoming us with smiles and helping throughout. The food was always fresh and delicious, and the swimming and spa areas were spotless. The VIP jacuzzi rooms were worth the extra fee. The gyms had everything needed for a good workout, and I especially loved the terraces. I'd definitely recommend it.

The view of the lake from the location is breathtaking. I stayed four days, and there was a lovely cabana and seating area uphill where you could smoke hookah while looking out at the lake. Breakfast was a typical Turkish spread, with plenty of indoor seating and a little outdoors too. Valet parking was available. The hotel was clean and new, and the room was spacious. There were some downsides. Room cleaning was unreliable: I called and turned on the door service light, but they still didn't come every day. The air conditioning didn't work properly the first night. A technician improved it, but the large room never got as cool as I wanted. The jacuzzi smelled bad when switched on, though the pressure was great. I also felt uncomfortable seeing many hijabi guests, and children were screaming, playing, and misbehaving in the hallways and around the elevator. Given the beautiful location and view, I wish the hotel were adults only.