77mArci
June 17, 2025
Honest review: A great budget-friendly hotel if you’re looking for sun, sea views, and a relaxed atmosphere. The location is excellent — right by the beach with plenty of nice restaurants and boutique shops nearby. To access the beach, there’s a handy underpass between the hotel and beach, which makes it safe to cross the busy dual carriageway. Just be aware that road noise at night can be loud, so if you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs. The sea looks stunning, but it’s not the easiest to enjoy fully. There are large rocks and strong waves, so I only went in up to my waist, worried I might twist my ankle. I spent most of my time at the pool, which was fine for me. However, if you’re under 164 cm, you will not be able to reach the bottom in the main pool. The kids’ paddling pool is very small, so not great for little ones. Still, I honestly enjoyed it overall. The hotel needs some refurbishment. In our room, only one plug worked, the toilet seat had marks, and the furniture was quite old. The view from our room was of a nearby residential balcony, and my sons’ room looked out onto a construction site. Beds were okay for us, but the boys complained about their mattresses. On the positive side, the air con worked well, and the TV had English news channels, which was a nice surprise. Wi-Fi in the lobby was very slow. We didn’t pay the €3 per day for in-room Wi-Fi, so I can’t comment on its quality. The food was repetitive, with only about three hot options at meals. Not as much variety as I’m used to on all-inclusive holidays. That said, we always found something to eat, and it’s probably the first time I’ve ever lost weight on an all-inclusive holiday — I’ll take it as a win! I missed croissants, pastries, waffles, and freshly cooked eggs at breakfast (the fried eggs were pre-made and overcooked). The bar served drinks from 10:00 to 22:00, with a few short breaks. We’re not big drinkers and were quite satisfied. Thankfully, other guests were also respectful and in control, which helped maintain a calm atmosphere. Staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, especially at reception. Housekeeping was excellent — with fresh towels, toilet paper, and water provided regularly. There’s also a massage centre on site, a tattoo studio, and a small shop for essentials. The evening entertainment was poor — we only saw one small acrobatics performance and karaoke three nights in a row. Not our thing, so we brought cards and played UNO, or went out most nights. I’d definitely recommend bringing something to entertain yourself in the evenings. We took a self-organised trip to Alanya — highly recommended! Buses run every 15 minutes from just outside the hotel and cost only 65p per person. We took the cable car to the castle for around £11 each, and the views were stunning. That said, Alanya is a very busy town, and we personally preferred the quieter feel of Mahmutlar. We also booked excursions through our fantastic rep, Altay, who truly made the trip