A Family Vacation to Remember: Bosphorus Sorgun Hotel 5*

I'm still grinning from ear to ear thinking about our family vacation at the Bosphorus Sorgun Hotel 5*. We stayed here in October, and it was a decision that paid off big time. This hotel is perfect for families with kids, and I'm not just saying that because we had a blast. Let me tell you all about it.

When we arrived, we booked two rooms - one with a view of the pool and one with a view of the bay. Both were great in their own ways, but I have to say, the room with a view of the bay stole my heart. It's quiet, peaceful, and the only sound you'll hear is the occasional passing tourist boat. The view is simply stunning, and you can see the whole bay from your balcony. Plus, it's a great spot to watch the sunset.The rooms themselves are spacious and well-equipped. We had everything we needed, and I was particularly impressed with the amount of space near the sink for cosmetics and makeup. The bed sheets were changed regularly, and the cleaning was done discreetly so we never even saw the staff. The greenery around the hotel was a bit wilted, but we were there in October, so I cut them some slack. The weather was pleasant, with warm mornings and afternoons, and a cool breeze in the evenings. It was the perfect time to enjoy the views of the bay at sunset, which we did from the rooftop bar. If you prefer a room with a view of the pool, I'd recommend choosing one higher up and in the middle. Ours was on the third floor, and while it was a bit noisy due to the crowds and the pool, it was still a great spot. Just be aware that the rooftop restaurant to the right can get pretty loud, especially in the evenings when they're grilling meat and fish for dinner. We were blown away by the food at the hotel. There was a great variety, with plenty of meat, fish, veggies, fruits, and drinks. Every meal was satisfying and interesting, and the quality of the ingredients was top-notch. They even made pasta to order with your choice of fillings, free of charge. That's a great perk, especially if you're traveling with kids who love pasta with sausages and veggies. Breakfast was my favorite meal of the day. I usually had eggs, cheese, veggies, fruits, and pancakes with honey. As for drinks, I stuck to coffee or tea, or sometimes both. You can eat your fill at any meal here, and it's all delicious. The kids will find familiar dishes, and no one will leave hungry. Plus, the hotel offers food not just on site, but right on the beach as well - hot dogs, pizza, fries, veggies, fruits, drinks, and plenty more, all day long and till evening. The all-inclusive deal was a great value for money, and the beachside dining was a nice touch - you get beer and cocktails included. We really enjoyed the food, and our kids loved the variety of options. The beach is a short walk or a quick drive away, but it's close enough that you can easily pop down there for a morning stroll after breakfast. No complaints there. The water's not too rough, and it's crystal clear, so you can see little fish swimming around. There are some water activities available, but not many people seem to use them. There are plenty of sunbeds, both under and out of the shade, and the sand is nice and soft with small, rounded pebbles. The time I spent at the beach was really enjoyable - everything's well set up, so there are shaded areas for people with kids or those who don't want to get sunburned, as well as toilet facilities and a place to change and wash your hands. There are also beach bars and restaurants right on the beach, so you can grab a bite to eat without having to go back to your room. I didn't notice any downsides at all. By the way, there are some great Instagram spots around the beach and the whole hotel, so it's definitely a great place to take some photos. Our family vacation in October was a success - the weather was lovely, with warm temperatures but not too hot, so we got a great tan without getting sunburned. I'm not sure what happened, but one day I started feeling unwell while I was at the hotel. I had a high temperature, my lips swelled up (I have lip fillers), and I got a bit of an uneven rash, like after a bad lip injection. I had a bit of nausea, and I had to spend the day in my room. I just took some allergy medication and some paracetamol. I don't drink much, just the occasional cocktail or two, and that's not even a whole glass. I did have some fish the day before, including some smoked salmon from the buffet, so I'm not sure if that was the cause. Anyway, it all cleared up by the next morning. My husband doesn't drink much either, and we just tried a few popular cocktails. They were nice, but that's about it. I didn't see many people getting drunk, except for one couple in their 40s who were a bit rowdy by the evening.I've had some pretty awkward encounters with the staff around the pool and dining area. They'd approach our table and rather bluntly ask if we could move over to make room for others, as the poolside tables got snatched up quickly in the evenings. And to make matters worse, someone even spilled beer on the rocks in the spa, making it impossible for many of us to enjoy the hot tub, which was included in the stay.

As for the crowd, it's mostly families who've been coming here for generations - grandparents, kids, and even great-grandkids. There are plenty of young folks and older couples too. We didn't see too many families with young kids, though, as evident from the kids' activities. Mostly older kids were around, but there are still plenty of things to keep them entertained - the kids' room, evening animation (which, admittedly, was pretty much the same every day), and the beach has a playground and swings.

Even in October, the resort's grounds were still lush with greenery, fruit trees, and plants. Be aware that there are plenty of cats around, but be careful - the mom cats are fiercely protective of their kittens and will come to their rescue in a heartbeat.

All things considered, the resort delivered on its promises. We had a great time, and our expectations were met. The atmosphere's pleasant, and we'd love to come back. The rooms are fresh and modern, and we didn't have any complaints. The beach is fully equipped, and the outdoor pool complex was still pretty warm in October, although we didn't spend too much time there. The kids' pool, on the other hand, was nice and toasty. The only downside was the lack of activities around the pool, but that's not a deal-breaker for everyone. The food was more than satisfactory, and we'll definitely be back.

One thing worth mentioning is the transportation accessibility. The ride from the airport to the resort is quite a long one. If your kids can handle the initial travel fatigue, it's okay, but if they're not, you might want to consider a closer hotel. There are buses available from the resort to the city center and shopping areas, but you'll need to pay separately for the ride (the transfer to the resort is included, though). We took the bus a few times, and it was convenient. However, we did notice that one American family managed to sneak onto the bus without paying, pretending not to understand the question - pretty sneaky, if you ask me!