What's the hotel's policy on kids' entertainment?

The hotel offers a range of kids' activities and entertainment options, including a water park, playground, and kids' club. The staff does a great job of keeping the little ones engaged and happy.

Are the rooms comfortable and clean?

The rooms are small, but they're clean and well-maintained. However, they could use some TLC to make them feel more like a home away from home.

Is the hotel located in a good area?

The hotel is located in a pretty quiet neighborhood that's not exactly bustling with activity. If you're looking for a more lively atmosphere, you might want to consider a different location.

What's the hotel's policy on food and drink?

The hotel offers a range of dining options, including a buffet, a la carte restaurant, and several bars. However, the food was unappetizing and lacked variety during our stay.

Is the hotel good for families?

Yes, the hotel is great for families. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the hotel offers a range of kids' activities and entertainment options.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with my stay?

The hotel has a return policy in place, but it's best to check with the hotel directly for more information.

Are there any nearby attractions or activities?

There are a few nearby attractions and activities, including a water park and a few local shops and restaurants. However, the hotel is a bit isolated, so you might need to take a taxi or bus to get around.

Sorry, pets are not allowed at the hotel.

Crystal Flora Beach Resort in Beldibi, Turkey - Pros and Cons

A Nice Family Hotel, But Not One I'd Return To - Some Major Drawbacks at Crystal Flora Beach Resort in Beldibi, 5*

I'm a total beach bum, and I love traveling with my husband to the coast as soon as we can afford it. That's why we chose Turkey as our destination - it's a great place to relax with kids. If it wasn't for our little one, who's still under 2, we'd probably head to Asia, which is our favorite region.

So, why Turkey? I've been there before, and I know the ropes, so choosing a neighborhood to stay in wasn't a big deal. Turkey is super family-friendly - the sea is crystal clear, hotels have everything you need, and you don't have to worry about towels, sunbeds, or entertainment. You can just relax and enjoy your vacation without a care in the world.

My main goal was to relax, and I really needed it, especially since it was our kid's first time on a vacation, and we had all the usual pre-trip jitters. I didn't want a packed itinerary, just a good, family-friendly hotel with some entertainment, preferably with some green space, and we were hoping to stay within a budget of 150,000 rubles, with our kid traveling for free.

Location-wise, I was really hoping the hotel would be close to the airport, especially since we had a kid with us. The 50-minute bus ride was a bit of a challenge for them, to be honest. But, we managed to get there relatively quickly. The hotel is located in a village called Beldibi, which is a part of Kemer. From the airport, it took us about 50 minutes to get to the hotel, but the bus was packed with tourists, so we had to make a few stops along the way.

Let me be upfront about my opinion of Beldibi – it's a bit of a dump. Outside of the hotel, the area is dirty, dull, and there aren't even any big supermarkets like Migros or Bim. You've got your local market and some small private shops, but that's about it. It's a real snooze-fest. Honestly, Beldibi is only suitable for people who don't plan on leaving the hotel at all, or for those who are always on the go with excursions.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Crystal Flora Beach Resort is part of a larger hotel chain called Crystal. Before our trip, I had no idea this chain even existed, and I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that now. It turns out that Crystal hotels are pretty common in tourist areas, with several locations in places like Belek and Side.

I have to give a shoutout to the stunning view of the Taurus Mountains - it's breathtakingly beautiful, and I found myself gazing at it for hours on end.

That's also where you'll meet the hotel guide, book excursions, and make reservations at the à la carte restaurants.

And, of course, you can also book tables at the à la carte restaurants.

We didn't exactly hang out at the reception, but we did stop by to ask about our transfer pickup and meet our guide. We also had a weird situation where we left our room key in the room and asked them to help us get in. We even reserved a table at the restaurant, but that was about it - no need to come back to the reception after that.

The room decor was a bit worn out - it would be nice to update the bathroom fixtures and regrout the tiles. We also noticed some electrical issues, as not all the light switches worked. And to make matters worse, our safe was on the fritz, but luckily it was already open. I ended up fixing it myself, as the batteries had simply fallen off the isolator - I just reattached them, but it was a bit of a hassle.

One thing that really stood out to me was the convenience of being able to leave dirty dishes on special tables for the staff to collect. I mean, it's not exactly encouraged to take food or dishes into your room, but let's be real, who's going to keep track of that many people? These tables are everywhere on the property, and it's super handy.

My experience with the hotel started with the lobby. The reception is right by the entrance, where the transfer guide will leave you. We checked in quickly, but it was late at night when we arrived. They gave us wristbands and maps with all the essential information - what's where, what's open when, and so on. I have to say, I studied that map like crazy in the first few days, and it really came in handy.

That's also where you'll meet the hotel guide, book excursions, and make reservations at the à la carte restaurants.

The hotel staff put on a great show, with constant entertainment options like aqua aerobics, beach games, Zumba, scuba diving (for a fee), and dance parties around the pool. I even caught some of the action from the beach, where they had a host leading the crowd in some kind of competitions. In the evenings, they'd have discos, but not every night. To be honest, I'm not really into all that, and I didn't participate, but I can appreciate the effort the staff put in. From what I saw, it all looked like a lot of fun.

I was really impressed with the mini-club, and the kids absolutely loved it. Since my little one is still pretty young, I couldn't leave him behind, so I ended up taking him along. The kids' room was a great place for them to draw, play, and watch cartoons. They also had some special masterclasses on certain days, so be sure to check ahead of time. During mealtimes, the mini-club staff would set up tables and feed the kids.

Evening kids' disco in the amphitheater was a great idea, but I think it's a bit too late for the kids. I mean, they're already fed, but the loud music makes it hard for them to wind down before bedtime.

I was also looking forward to the 'zoo', which I put in quotes because it's basically just a cage with some chickens and roosters. You might get lucky and see something more interesting, though!

I was really impressed by the water slides - they're massive and super high. To be honest, I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat, so I didn't end up going down any of them.

The kids' water park was a real treat.

The water slides looked amazing, the kiddie pool was small but separate, and didn't have any heating. The whole design was cleverly done to constantly splash water, which just made the kids go wild – so I'd definitely recommend not ignoring it.

One thing that caught my eye was the kids' pool - it's covered, but it doesn't have any heating. The water's not the most comfortable, and it's pretty slippery due to the tiles.

I'm getting to one of the most interesting - and probably the most contentious - aspects: food. The hotel operates on an Ultra All Inclusive system, which means they serve imported booze too (more on that later). There are plenty of bars, and they serve food around the clock, so you'll never go hungry.

I highly recommend trying the gözlöme pastries from 11 am onwards - it's a must-try with a glass of ayran. The queue is huge, but it's worth the wait. The fillings include two types of cheese with greens, and they don't make any with meat, but that's not a problem at all.

I have to say, this cafe is the most photogenic place I've ever seen, but it's also the most confusing for me. I still can't figure out when it's open and what they serve or sell here. But honestly, it didn't matter to me - the cafe looks incredibly picturesque, tourists just sit and relax, no one's getting kicked out, and you can take some amazing photos.

I really liked the lounge bar - it's located near the reception, they serve imported drinks, and it's also near the pool, although I only went there once. They can mix cocktails for you, and after dinner, many people come here to hang out. The atmosphere is quiet, the drinks are great, and the Wi-Fi is super fast, even my husband was able to stream videos.

The cafe serves only desserts, and it's open all day. The selection isn't as huge as the main restaurant, but there are still some nice options. I have to say, though, that Turkish sweets are a bit too sweet for my taste - they look amazing, but they're all pretty similar and overly sweet. I only tried a few types, but there were over 50 options to choose from.

I stopped by here alone to enjoy some quiet time, a cup of coffee, and a sweet treat. It's usually pretty deserted, I'm not sure if people just don't know about this place or if they're not interested in visiting. But I'd definitely recommend checking it out, and the air conditioning always works, which is a plus.

This place is a paradise for foodies. There's an abundance of food, and they even have a buffet, grill stations where they cook right in front of you, and deep woks cooking up a storm on the street. For dinner, they always had dishes straight from the mangala. The staff work like bees, trying their best to keep up, cleaning quickly and being super friendly to everyone. Occasionally, we'd run into issues with the dishes, like missing forks or knives, or weird stains on the plates, but I just grabbed another one and didn't make a fuss.

Every week, they'd have a Turkish food day, and every week, it'd be seafood day, with an abundance of seafood and fish on offer. But by September, the crabs were already gone.

The appetizers looked great, even served in individual plates, but they were all tasteless:

The fruits were different - apples, pears, bananas, plums, oranges. But often they were unripe, wooden fruits. I took them to the room, and after a couple of days, you could eat them. Everyone took fruits to the room, I wasn't hiding, I was carrying two bananas or apples in my hands, and no one scolded me, I was still carrying a stroller, it's obvious that I took it for the kid.