I wanted to live it up for a week with a restaurant-beach-bar-hotel combo, so I booked a room at this hotel. So, let's get started...
Location.
The park is amazing, filled with tons of trees, mostly gorgeous pine trees of different varieties - the scent is just incredible, and you can smell the ocean breeze, the greenery, the pine, and jasmine in the air. It's like a natural wonderland. There are plenty of shaded pathways where you can easily take a stroller, and the lawns with soft grass are perfect for strolling, where you'll often see crows and a few stray cats...
The entire area is lush with all sorts of plants, meticulously maintained, spotlessly clean, and the lawns with soft grass are perfect for strolling, where you'll often see crows and a few stray cats. I've even seen tourists feeding them from the hotel's diet menu - it's a nice bonus.
the cats - they behave themselves, there aren't too many of them, and the restaurant staff won't let them in, but they're a lovely addition to the hotel's grounds, blending in perfectly with the natural landscape. I've gotta give a shoutout to the gardener and their team - they've done an amazing job with the landscaping. The grounds are huge, and it'll take you around 30-40 minutes to fully explore them. In the mornings, you'll see people jogging along the paths and getting some exercise.Mini-Zoo
In the center, there's a relaxation area with a table and chairs. They've got a little pond with a waterfall...
And the peacocks If you visit them in the morning, you'll get to see them in all their glory... It's not just a farm - it's a wildlife sanctuary. I've seen geese, pheasants, rabbits, and all sorts of birds calling this place home.
When the caretaker comes on the scene, the animals greet him with joyful squawks!This place is a natural gem, and it shows. The animals are happy and healthy, and the grounds are well-maintained.It's a great spot - it feels welcoming!
Beach - the beach is huge, and they've got all the right gear: showers, foot washes, and clean toilets.
There are stairs for the little ones, and the pier is perfect for older kids - and they've even got a lifeguard on duty! Normal beach conditions every morning, and they keep the beach clean throughout the day too. The sunshades are set up, and there's plenty of space. You'll also find some paid water activities.
They even have a volleyball court Getting into the water - what a surprise!
I was taken aback by the uneven seafloor. You take a step, and then you're wading, taking another step, and then wading again...it's like walking on a bunch of slippery rocks. Without water shoes, it's a real challenge to navigate the bottom. I'm used to wading into calm waters that are about 2-3 meters deep, but this place has a lot of shallow, rocky areas that make it tricky to get in and out of the water.
The beach itself is pretty cool!
I have to say, I preferred the beach entrance near the border with the wild beach.The water area is huge, surrounded by buoys.
Either way, we got to swim and relax!
The beach equipment is not just on the beach, but also on the grass near the beach
There are two pools near the beach
Also, the kiddie pool with a mini city for kids There's also a water park nearby And that's not all - there's a massive covered pool
and a relaxation pool right next to the chalet with a bar So, where to go for a dip and leave your tired sun-kissed body on a sun lounger, you'll find!Room selection - it's not that straightforward here either, the main part of the rooms is located in the main building, where many people complain about the noise from the restaurant systems and air conditioning, and the buzzing around the building. Although if you close the balcony door, it will be quiet. There are no buzzing installations only in rooms with a sea view, but there's a view of the pools and bar below, music, so if you like peace and quiet, you need to carefully choose your room or already negotiate with the hotel staff.
I had a room in the additional Shale building, which I took consciously because it's in the park, you can sleep with your balcony open, and you can hear the road and peacocks... I slept soundly and for a long time, and nothing disturbed my quality of sleep.
The Shale building differs from the main building in the lack of recent renovation and its distance from all the hustle and bustle, next to the building there's only a relaxation pool with a bar that works from 10-17.00 and a zoo with courts...
The building is 3 stories high, with balconies everywhere, the first floor has an exit to the street, there's a lift, which sometimes doesn't work because it gets stuck, but overall it works... On the first floor of the Shale building, there are toilets, a hall with sofas...It's about 200 meters to the reception, 300 meters to the restaurant, 400 meters to the sea, and 500 meters to the pool - approximately... The hotel is quite big.I liked my room, the only thing is that it's always a bit dark, but otherwise it's great, the birds sing, and it smells of pine...
The closet is big, and the pillows are okay, but the mattress is pretty firm. There's a tea station with tea, coffee, and water...
The minibar was stocked when I arrived, but it was just water afterwards. The screen door is super convenient, and there's a clothes drying rack, a table, and two chairs on the balcony... View from the balcony...
The bathroom is nice and spacious, with slippers, shower caps, washcloths, shampoo, and soap in the dispensers, but no bathrobes. One thing I noticed was that everything worked as expected, and the hot water was available. However, there was a bit of water leaking from the drain. Thankfully, there was no mold or sewage smell.
If something's not quite right in your room, I'd recommend letting the housekeeping staff know ASAP, and they'll sort it out quickly...
Food and Beverage...let me tell you, the food was top-notch. I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portions and the variety of options available. You can even find some nice treats if you look around...
The dining organization takes place in a large restaurant with multiple rooms, including an outdoor area under a roof. There's even a coffee machine on site. Here are a few of the rooms...
The furniture is sturdy, the place is spotless, and the wait staff are super efficient. You can even grab a drink and serve yourself. The seating area is spacious, but there's a noticeable hum and noise level. However, if you take a stroll around, you can find a quieter and cozier spot, even on a couch...
I've got to say, the breakfast spread in this place is amazing. It's like a mini bakery in itself. They've got scrambled eggs, omelets with fillings, waffles, donuts, and a ton of different pastries and cakes. There's honey in pots, and sometimes a side of kaymak. Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and dates, as well as walnuts. Fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes, and a variety of greens, plus olives. They've got regular cheeses, but also some interesting ones like a yellow cheese with walnuts. And they've got Turkish sausages. There's porridge, pancakes that are really tasty, but the pan cakes didn't quite hit the mark. And they've got yogurt, jams, and honey. They've got sausages, fried sausage, menemen, and sometimes potato pancakes. But no salmon. Fruits like oranges, grapes, and sometimes strawberries. Their juices are pretty good, and they've got tea, coffee too. My breakfasts... I have to say, staying hungry is tough, especially when there's so much variety to choose from. Meals are a highlight, with two soups, grilled meat and fish dishes, and a great selection of fruits and baked goods in the buffet.
I was spoiled for choice with the variety of dishes - there was lamb's tongue, beef, sibas, and in the appetizers, salmon with a green salad, roasted lamb, squid rings, prawns, and all sorts of rolls. It's a real feast for the eyes and the belly every time I visit, and I always end up with a bit of extra to take home too.
Soft sibas on the grill
Red fish with salad and avocado
Beef and Turkish-style meatballAnd now, if I can squeeze it in, dessert... The kitchen team knows what they're doing - fresh veggies, perfectly chopped, and spotless plates. It's clear they're on top of things. Even the pasta station has a separate area for dumplings - I wish I'd tried some! As for the food quality and organization, I've got no complaints whatsoever.They've got a drinks bar with strong cocktails, wine, and a refreshing айран. You can also find coffee and tea to your liking, with a few different coffee machines on site. If you're a coffee connoisseur, you'll appreciate the Turkish-style pour-overs.
The beachside restaurant - menu items
The design is super inviting, and the service is lightning-fast.
Caesar - that's not their thing