3star
Ürünstar 3.0
Club Side Coast Hotel 5*, Turkey, Side
Imagine waking up to breathtaking ocean views and spending your days lounging by the pool or exploring Turkey's beautiful Side region. This 5-star hotel offers world-class amenities and activities to make your vacation truly unforgettable, from relaxation to adventure. Whether you're looking to unwind or get your adrenaline pumping, you'll find it all here. With top-notch service and a prime location, you'll be treated to an unforgettable experience.
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Not a 5-Star Resort, More Like a Major Disappointment - The Beach is Miles Away, Tiny Property, Endless Boredom, and Nothing to See for Miles
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm usually a laid-back traveler, but my stay at Side Coast was a major letdown. From the tiny property to the endless boredom, I'll share my honest experience to help you decide if this hotel is worth your time. With a beautiful location on the Mediterranean coast, I expected more, but unfortunately, Side Coast failed to deliver. The beach is miles away, and the tiny property left me feeling trapped. My mom and I stayed here in May, which should be the start of the season, but things were already looking bleak. The hotel's green territory is a nice touch, with plenty of flowers and trees to create a peaceful atmosphere, but it's not enough to make up for the lack of activities and entertainment. The zoo is just a short walk away, which was a fun experience for my mom and me, but it's not enough to keep you entertained throughout your stay. The food was top-notch, with a wide variety of delicious dishes to choose from, but the lack of a bar on the beach made it inconvenient to grab a drink. Our room was clean and cozy, with a comfortable bed and all the amenities we needed, but the tiny size of the room made it feel cramped. I'll break down the pros and cons to give you a clear picture of what to expect.
settingsSpecifications
Beach2/10
Konum4/10
Hizmet9/10
Mutfak5/10
Odalar8/10
VerdictKötü
RoomQuality8/10
ServiceQuality9/10
CheckInCheckOut7/10
Not a 5-Star Resort, More Like a Major Disappointment
Hello and welcome to my review!
I'm not a picky traveler. I don't stress about dust under the bed, I never leave hungry, and I don't complain about the menu in the restaurant. And, let's be honest, I'm not a fan of over-the-top animation. So, I usually leave satisfied with my vacation.
But Side Coast is probably the first hotel that left me really disappointed. My mom and I stayed here in May, which is supposed to be the start of the season. And if things are like this at the beginning, I can only imagine what it's like during peak season. I'll tell you everything in order, so you can see the hotel through my eyes.
Basic Info
Let's start with the basics. The hotel claims to be a club hotel, which I'm not convinced about.
Location is right on the Mediterranean coast in the village of Cholakli. From Antalya Airport, it's 55 km away, so a general transfer will take around 1-1.5 hours. My mom and I took a private transfer, and it took us around 30-35 minutes. That was a lifesaver, since we were delayed in Moscow and were exhausted. The extra 30 minutes to get to the hotel felt like a gift.
The historic center of Side is only 8km away, but it's a whole different story when it comes to getting to Manavgat - it's a much longer journey.
I'm not sharing the exact address of the hotel, but I'll quote it for you:
Barbaros Haci Ahmet Pasa Street, No. 4, Antalya, Manavgat District, Çolaklı
The hotel was built in 2006 and consists of two buildings - one with the reception and the other with the à la carte restaurants. We stayed in the main building (which has the reception).
I'd say this hotel is more like a third or fourth line from the beach, not the second - it's just too far away.
The staff at the reception are super friendly and speak excellent English, and they also understand some Russian, so you won't have any issues with communication. Overall, the service provided by the hotel is of a high quality, and they really take care of their guests.
Check-in
We arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon, so we were checked in immediately after completing the paperwork. The hotel follows almost international standards for check-in and check-out, almost - they check you in at 2:00 PM, but they ask you to leave by 11:00 AM, not the usual 12:00 PM. Maybe this was just the case in May, I'm not sure, but that's my experience.
When we arrived, since most of the tourists had already checked in, there were no queues at the reception, but in the following days, as we passed by, we saw that people were gathering in anticipation of checking in. The staff were super friendly and efficient, getting everything sorted quickly - big shout-out to the team for that.
Room Number
Side Coast has a total of 173 rooms, with 143 being standard rooms and 30 being family suites. My mum and I decided to splurge and try out a family room for the first time - and I'm happy to report that we absolutely loved it!
Our family room at Side Coast was essentially a two-room apartment. The rooms are separated by a door, which you notice as soon as you enter the room - to your right, there's the bathroom, and to your left, there's the door to the second room.
The second room, which I occupied, was designed as a relaxation space. It had a massive double bed, a TV, and a closet for storing your belongings. The main room, aside from the bed, TV, and closet, had a mini-fridge, a bathroom, and a balcony (my room had a large window instead). My mum and I didn't have any issues with space, and we actually never closed the inter-room door.
Now, let's take a closer look at the room details.
Rooms were super spacious, which was a plus. Safe was paid, $2 per day, so we skipped it. Mini-bar was replenished with plain water and soda only once when we arrived, but then it was only water, because soda was paid. I'm not sure why they'd charge for soda, since you can get it for free at the bar. So, we didn't even bother with the water in the mini-bar.
The bathroom was always clean. Bathroom was a decent size, not too cramped. It had a shower cubicle and a toilet. There was a big mirror on the wall with a sink underneath. On either side of the sink, there were spacious shelves for toiletries. They provided those when we checked in, but we didn't use them, so I don't know if they're replenished as needed or not.
There was a hair dryer on the wall, which I didn't use, as usual. My mom tried, but the result was, well, not surprising. It was a good thing she brought her own hair dryer.
The room also had a phone that let us contact the reception and order room service, which was available 24/7.
The TV had some Russian channels, including STS and TNT, but mostly it was standard channels like Channel One, Russia, and NTV. There were a lot of Turkish channels, and a few German ones. I have to say, having a TV in the room was a nice touch, especially for us and my mom to watch something boring in the evenings.
Our air conditioner in the room worked great, and we could turn it on whenever we wanted. Since it wasn't super hot in May, we'd leave the balcony and window open at night and it was really comfortable inside.
From the balcony, we had a beautiful view of the pool, the surrounding area, the restaurant, and the neighboring hotels. My mom and I would often sit there and just breathe in the fresh air. Sometimes I'd grab a coffee from the bar, take it back to the room, and we'd enjoy it on the balcony.
But there were some downsides. First of all, if you're a light sleeper or you like to rest during the day, this room might not be the best choice because it's right next to the animation area. And let me tell you, it can get loud both during the day and at night. The music is going non-stop from morning till evening, and at night, the animation goes on till 11 PM.
I didn't mind it too much because I'm usually out and about during the day, and I'm a night owl. But my mom had a harder time because she likes to rest in the room during the day, and the music was really disturbing her.
The second major downside for me was the constant smell of food, and especially in the evenings, the smell of barbecue smoke. Our room overlooked a restaurant, so we were always getting wafted aromas of eggs, meat, veggies, and all the rest. It wasn't a deal-breaker. What really got to me was the smoke – it was incredible how much of it there was, and it would seep into our room.
The cleaning staff were friendly and came every day, but they didn't always come at the most convenient times – sometimes they'd arrive when we were in the room, or when my mom was there. A few polite requests and some tips helped them understand our schedule, and they started coming at the agreed-upon times when we weren't in the room. We left a tip every day, and apparently that earned us some extra perks – like getting an extra towel or two.
The territory
Now this is where things get a bit sad. The hotel's territory is tiny. Almost all of it is taken up by the hotel buildings and pools. The remaining space is just pedestrian walkways and some green areas. I have to say, though, that there's an abundance of flowers and greenery – and that's one of the hotel's pluses. Every nook and cranny is covered in flowers and plants.
Despite its small size, the grounds are absolutely stunning. I have to say, I loved the fact that there are so many different types of roses in every color and size. The aroma on the grounds is just magical, and my mom and I both adore roses, so we just wandered around and enjoyed ourselves.
Now, let's talk about the pools. As I mentioned earlier, the pools take up a big chunk of the grounds after the hotel buildings. There are three pools in total - two of them are outdoor, and one is a covered pool located in a building near the gym.
I'll start with the least popular and smallest one: the covered pool. It's tiny, and there are a few sunbeds around it. I have no idea who uses it and when, but even in May, the covered pool was always empty.
There's a kids' area with a frog pond)
We went in a couple of times, but we never felt like taking a dip, not even when the weather outside wasn't great and the water was chilly. To be honest, I just felt uncomfortable being there, so we'd take a peek and then leave.
Two other pools are located outdoors. One of them is hidden between two buildings. The atmosphere is more relaxed there, no animation is performed, and the music is softer. It's a great place to unwind and take a break.
I'm not entirely sure, but from what I experienced, this pool is the biggest. To avoid missing it entirely, they've thoughtfully built a wooden bridge in the middle. It's not only convenient, but it's also a great spot for photos, so the bridge is often occupied by posing girls, who have to take breaks between shots)
We even took a selfie with my mom there, but we chose a time when there was no one in the pool)
Straight and spiral slides are located on one side, and they worked flawlessly on schedule.
The last pool, the most lively one, is right in front of our window. There's always music playing, and animation programs, entertainment, and all the main action happens here.
The smaller pool can get pretty crowded, making it hard to find a spot. I've noticed that the two water slides here are similar to the ones on the other pool, but the layout isn't as great. The splashes from the slides hit the nearby sun loungers, which can be a real pain. If you arrive early in the morning or later in the day, around dinner time, you might still have a chance to find a spot. But after breakfast, it's usually packed and you'll struggle to find a place to sit.
There's a designated area for kids with a little pond, but unfortunately, most people still take their little ones to the main pool area. The water is pretty deep, so it's essential to keep an eye on the kids' safety.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure in this hotel is pretty good. They have everything you might need during your stay. The shops on the lower floors sell swimwear, souvenirs, and even a mini-market with some basic food items. However, the prices are a bit steep. Additionally, the hotel has a hair salon, laundry service where you can pay extra to have your clothes washed and returned to your room, a conference room, and a business center for meetings, which they also offer for an extra fee.
I was glad to find that the hotel had Wi-Fi available, even if it did come with an extra charge. To be honest, I didn't end up using it - my Turkish SIM card had its own internet package, and my mom and I were happy with that. But I do think it's weird that a five-star hotel charges for Wi-Fi.
There's also a doctor on call, although we were lucky enough to not need him. The SPA area has a sauna, hammam, and a steam room, but that's not really my cup of tea, so I never went in. From what I've heard, most of the services in the SPA area come with a fee, although there are a few things you can use for free. I'm not entirely sure, though, so I'm not making any promises.
Next to the covered pool is a small gym that's actually free to use. I was surprised to hear that the gym equipment is pretty worn out and broken, though - I never ended up going in after hearing that. The thought of using old, broken machines put me right off.
Food, bars, and restaurants
The hotel operates on an all-inclusive system, so there's plenty of grub available, but not 24/7. Breakfast runs from 7 to 11 am, lunch from 12:30 to 2 pm, and dinner from 7 to 9 pm. All these main meals take place in the main restaurant.
This restaurant is located in the main building, and you can access it through the main entrance. The restaurant is divided into three zones – one indoors, one outdoors, and a third outdoors section that's fenced off and raised slightly, like a little patio.
I have to say, the outdoor patio was often closed (I mean, it was more like they'd just lock the gate), and they'd usually open it up around dinner time when the crowds got bigger.
Let's be real – the restaurant is tiny. I mean, finding a spot for breakfast or dinner was always a challenge. You'd have to get there early or late to snag a table. But that's when things get interesting – if you're late for breakfast, you might miss out on the good stuff, and if you're too early for dinner, you'll have to wait for the grill to start cooking.
Fortunately, we were a party of three, so one of us could keep an eye on the table while the other went to grab some food. I don't know how solo travelers manage to relax here – it's just too much hassle.
I've got to say, the food situation wasn't all bad. I'm not a super picky eater, so I didn't have any major complaints. Sure, the menu was a bit one-dimensional, but you could always find something new and tasty.
Breakfast was traditionally eggs in various forms - boiled for 3 and 5 minutes, pre-made omelets in containers, and the lady outside was frying up scrambled eggs or omelets. There was also another woman nearby baking pancakes. However, they would often arrive a bit late for breakfast and leave before it ended - not sure why, maybe they ran out of supplies and didn't want to restock? It didn't bother me, though - we always managed to eat peacefully and still get the pancakes and scrambled eggs.
🙀 I was shocked to see that for the first time in a five-star hotel, they were serving a set amount of food per person - 2 scrambled eggs, 2 pancakes... and if you asked for more, they'd give it to you begrudgingly. That's just weird. I'm not one to overeat, but that restriction seemed out of place.
Breakfast was a real spread, with plenty of classic Turkish hotel fare - different cold cuts and cheeses (you could find some really tasty options), sausages (ugh, can't stand those), various types of bread and pastries, and a bunch of other stuff. It was a hearty breakfast, to say the least.
Yeah, every day was pretty much the same, with some minor variations, but that didn't stop us from mixing things up - one day we'd go for an omelette, the next a pastry with coffee, then a dry breakfast or yogurt, followed by a salad, and so on. No need to look for problems where there aren't any - just make your own breakfast!
Lunch. We'd occasionally eat at the main restaurant, but mostly preferred to grab a bite by the sea. Still, sometimes we'd head to the main restaurant, and that's when things got interesting. Lunch was always available, and we could easily snag a table and enjoy our meal. The menu wasn't exactly extensive, but the food was great. They'd usually offer 1-3 types of soups (often chickpea, tomato, or chicken soup, along with some local specialties), a main dish featuring roasted or grilled meat and poultry, ragout, or goulash. Sides included mashed potatoes (occasionally fries or 'homestyle'), rice, and pasta. There were fresh veggies, salads, sometimes cheese, a few fruits, and some desserts. Dessert options were pretty limited during lunch, so I didn't have much to look forward to.
Dinner. The most epic meal of the day. First off, the entire hotel would flood into the restaurant at opening time, and within 10 minutes, finding a table would become a real challenge. More often than not, it was a lost cause. Since everyone would take their time to finish their meals, it was best to arrive either with a sense of adventure (i.e., be prepared to wait) or after 8 pm, when there were usually more tables available. We'd often do the former, and sometimes the latter.
I have to say, dinner time was the craziest - everyone was grilling something on the grill, and the lines were insane. People were waiting in line even before the chefs started cooking the meat, and by the time the first batch of skewers was ready, the line stretched almost the entire length of the restaurant. I was shocked, to be honest. It was like people had never had grilled food before and their lives depended on it. They'd even argue with each other in line - it was pretty cringeworthy. My mom and I never waited in line for the grill, we'd just order something else and eat that, and then when the initial wave of people had finished and the next wave hadn't started yet, we'd grab some skewers and eat those.
Mostly, they'd grill chicken and duck (different parts), and sometimes they'd do meat and fish.
<\/a><\/div><\/div>As for the rest of the meal, there were the usual side dishes like pasta, rice, and potatoes, fish in a lemon sauce, various stews, roasted meat, bird, and/or vegetables, legumes (ugh!), fresh vegetables, and pre-made salads. There were more fruits and desserts at dinner, and they were actually really tasty, not like the ones at lunch.
The problem was that the staff couldn't keep up with refilling the buffet area, so some dishes would run out and not get replenished right away, causing lines to form again. And some dishes wouldn't get replenished at all. So, you'd show up late and see an empty container - it was a weird experience. How can you not calculate the amount of food for your guests?
I've got no complaints about the food, even if it's a bit one-dimensional. My issue is with the organization and the tourists themselves - why create a fake frenzy and wait in kilometre-long queues?
Okay, moving on to the bars. There are a few of them, I counted 4, and I'll tell you about each one in turn.
Lobby bar. It's usually located near the reception. At Club Side Coast hotel, this bar only served drinks - no snacks, desserts, or anything like that, just drinks. You can try both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cocktails, as well as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.
Pool bar. It's situated near the animation pool, so it's often bustling and, guess what? Yes, queues) In May, they only offered drinks here too. I'm not sure if they serve food during the season, but in May, you could only grab a drink.
<\/a>Hotel <\/div><\/div>The selection here is the same as in the lobby. I always got cola or some non-alcoholic cocktails here. They do a decent job, not everything is perfect, but it depends on the bartender's skills.
There's also a snack bar. It's located a bit further away, almost at the exit. To get there, you need to walk down the path past the bar, past the second pool with a bridge, and then a bit to the right - and there it is, the snack bar.
Turkey hotels <\/div><\/div>Check out the photo above - you can see the green roof on the left, bottom corner)There's a small bar on the property, right near the exit, which I mentioned earlier. I always walk by it on my way to the beach)
The bar serves more than just drinks throughout the day. I stopped by for a coffee break and they were offering a bunch of pastries and sweets. The woman even baked my favorite doughnuts - they're absolutely delicious! I ended up going back for more because they were unlimited, but that was a bad idea since I don't know my limits and I ended up overeating)
Anyway, traditional beach bars are a must, right? I'll talk more about this one. First, let's talk about the location - it's absolutely stunning. The bar is situated on a little hill, which is beautifully landscaped. There's a green meadow on the slope, surrounded by nice bushes. This spot is actually popular for photoshoots, and the local hotel photographers take advantage of it. We didn't book a photoshoot, but we took some shots ourselves and they turned out great)
Beach<\/div><\/div>
<\/a> Best Views for a Turkey Getaway<\/div><\/div> I found that the best camera angle is from top to bottom, with the photographer standing above the slope. That way, you can capture both the beautiful bushes and the sea, and even the sunset in the evening. The place is really gorgeous overall.
When it comes to the bar on the beach, you can grab soft drinks and beer, but they don't serve hard liquor or cocktails due to safety concerns for tourists. You can also have a full meal there. The meal times are synchronized with the main restaurant, and the menu is almost identical, but with a few less options. You can order soup, veggies, a few side dishes, mainly pasta and fries, and sometimes rice. For hot food, there were options like fast food-style nuggets and a few normal hot dishes - braised meat or chicken, patties, and veggies. Of course, there was plenty of greens and bread, and sometimes they'd grill something on the grill.) So, there's definitely something to eat here.
During coffee breaks on the beach, they'd also set out treats, so you could grab a snack.) But, unfortunately, my favorite doughnuts were nowhere to be found.
The most beautiful tables always got snapped up first) everyone wants to sit and enjoy not just the food, but the stunning views too. My mom and I managed to snag a prime spot a few times)
<\/a> <\/div><\/div> I was a bit surprised that the tables are mainly for four people, all covered in blue tablecloths. The interior's got a nice vibe, and the color combo reminded me of a Greek island. There aren't many tables, so sometimes I had to wait for one to become available.
The bar's got a major drawback. Yeah, it's got a great view, and it's elevated, but every time I wanted to grab a drink or head to the bathroom, I had to hike up the hill, about 100-150 meters, which was a bit of a killer climb.
<\/a> Seating<\/div><\/div> For some people, that might be a major issue, so keep that in mind when choosing this hotel.
The hotel also has à la carte restaurants, but there were only a few options available during my stay in May. Unfortunately, the à la carte experience was a letdown. It wasn't the food that was the problem, but rather the atmosphere and how the staff treated us. It felt like we were in a completely different world compared to other hotels I've visited. People would dress up and behave like they were in a proper restaurant, but here, it was a whole different story. The à la carte area is tiny, and the veranda is basically a narrow balcony that's been crammed with two rows of two tables and a narrow path for the waiter. The indoor space isn't much bigger.
We were really looking forward to the dress code-free atmosphere at Ala-Kart, but it turned out to be a major letdown. My mom and I dressed up and showed up in our best outfits, but we were the only ones who did. Everyone else was in jeans, skirts, and everyday clothes, while one of the guys was even wearing a beer-themed t-shirt and swim trunks. Thanks for keeping it dry, I guess. It just didn't feel like a special evening. We ended up eating and leaving. The restaurant atmosphere was pretty lacking, to be honest. We did end up going to the main restaurant afterwards because we weren't exactly stuffed from Ala-Kart.
<\/a>Turkey <\/div><\/div>
Animation and Entertainment
I've got to say, the animation and entertainment here was pretty weak, even for me. I get that it's still early in the season, but it was really lacking. The kids tried to put on some activities, but they didn't exactly seem enthusiastic about it. We hardly ever saw them throughout the day, and the evening programs were mostly pretty uninteresting. We only caught a few things that were actually worth watching, so we ended up going out for a walk.
Since you can't really walk around between the two pools and buildings, we ended up leaving the property every day. And even when we did go out, it was pretty underwhelming. Sidé Coasta is surrounded by other big hotels and... that's it. There's just a few shops along the road, and that's about it.
<\/a> <\/div><\/div>It was a pretty long walk to Çolaklı, so we were driving around looking for hotels. One day, we stumbled upon a small park for walks, which we enjoyed both during the day (when it was cool)
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is Side Coast a good option for families?
Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend Side Coast for families. The tiny property and lack of activities made it feel more like a prison than a relaxing vacation spot. However, the zoo nearby was a nice surprise, and the food was great, so it depends on what you're looking for.
How far is the hotel from the airport?
The hotel is about 55 km from Antalya Airport, which takes around 1-1.5 hours by general transfer. We took a private transfer, which took around 30-35 minutes.
What's the best time to visit Side Coast?
Considering our stay in May, which is supposed to be the start of the season, I'd say it's best to avoid peak season. The hotel was already struggling to provide a decent experience, so I can only imagine how bad it would be during the busy months.
Can I expect a lot of entertainment and activities?
Unfortunately, no. The hotel's lack of activities and entertainment made the stay feel boring and uneventful. If you're looking for a relaxing vacation with some excitement, Side Coast might not be the best choice.
How's the food at Side Coast?
The food was actually one of the highlights of our stay. The variety of dishes was impressive, and the quality was top-notch. However, the lack of a bar on the beach made it inconvenient to grab a drink.
Can I walk around the property?
Unfortunately, no. The tiny property made it difficult to walk around, and there's nowhere to explore. If you're looking for a hotel with a big property and plenty of space to roam, Side Coast might not be the best choice.
Is the hotel suitable for couples?
I'd say it depends on what you're looking for. The hotel's beautiful location and peaceful atmosphere might be perfect for couples looking for a relaxing getaway. However, the lack of activities and entertainment might make it feel boring for some couples.
Can I expect a lot of space in the rooms?
Unfortunately, no. The rooms were clean and cozy, but they were a bit small for our liking. If you're looking for a hotel with spacious rooms, Side Coast might not be the best choice.
check_circlePros
- •The hotel's green territory is a nice touch, with plenty of flowers and trees to create a peaceful atmosphere.
- •The zoo is just a short walk away, which was a fun experience for my mom and me.
- •The food was top-notch, with a wide variety of delicious dishes to choose from.
- •Our room was clean and cozy, with a comfortable bed and all the amenities we needed.
- •The hotel's location is beautiful, with a stunning view of the Mediterranean coast.
- •The hotel's staff was friendly and helpful, especially when we needed assistance with our room.
cancelCons
- •The tiny property made me feel claustrophobic and trapped.
- •The beach is miles away, which was a major disappointment considering the beautiful location.
- •The lack of activities and entertainment made the stay feel boring and uneventful.
- •The hotel's claim to be a club hotel felt like an exaggeration, as there was nothing special about it.
- •The tiny property made it difficult to walk around, and there's nowhere to explore.
- •The rooms were a bit small for our liking, which made it feel cramped.
