Good: The hotel has beautifully maintained gardens, a wide selection of food options catering to various tastes, and a clean, quiet lobby – all of which set a promising tone for a relaxing stay.
Bad: Now, let me explain the reality behind that first impression. Service at the snack bar was truly unacceptable. Waiters couldn’t be bothered to offer us a table, even though plenty were available just behind a red rope. They simply rolled their eyes and pointed to a makeshift area not intended for dining. Another day, staff members actually followed me around to ensure I didn’t take food out of the snack bar, leaving me feeling like a thief. When I raised these issues, the guest relationship manager saw fit to lecture me on “Turkish manners.” Instead of addressing the problem, I was made to feel in the wrong. Sending a few apples and a bottle of wine is hardly an adequate response – a little genuine effort would go a long way.
To make matters worse, our rooms weren’t cleaned daily, and we even ran out of toilet paper. Again, a plate of fruit and some wine were sent as a supposed “solution.”
The sunbeds by the elephant pool were cleaned with bleach, but not rinsed, leaving my mum with ruined shorts covered in holes. No apology, no response – nothing.
And finally, the rudeness peaked with the barmen at the beach bar, who chose to mock my request by mimicking my face and responding sarcastically in Turkish.
Consistent rudeness and hostility tainted the entire experience.
