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Bodrum (Turkey) Reviews |
cocklin
Guest
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This was our first vivsit to Turkey. Having read other reviews i was worried about the accomadation, although it is dated it is ok could do with a good clean but ok, showers though do not work very well at all and after 4 days i had to ask two times to get clean towels and our bedding was not changed at all, although it said in the book that it would be changed twice. Turkey it seems has had a big price increase and did not find it too be cheap at all about the same as prices in this country.
There is alot to do though and i agree with previous reviews change your money in the little market to get the best rate although we found they are more happy to take the english pound and you get a better deal for it.
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Chris Chapman
Guest
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This is an excellent all inclusive location set in a smaal bay with its own private beach. Nothing is left to chance to ensure that your holiday is, for us at least, the best ever. When they say all inclusive they mean all inclusive even down to a free haircut. The staff are very friendly and always willing to help and although the number of british are in the minority, this does not distract from the holiday.
The local town of Bodrum is only 18km away and can be reached by the local bus which runs 24 hours a day at a cost of less than £1. This is well worth a visit especially during the evening when it comes alive and plus the temperature is more bearable. The only faults I could find with this holiday were the hard beds. Also worth a visit is Camel beach in the next cove where you can ride the camels along the dunes. This is accessible by local taxi for about £3.50p each way.
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debbie palmer - plymouth
Guest
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we were told that we were only 20 minutes from the airport but it was an hour. the resort was quiet with no entertainment which was fine for us 8 mature ladies as we went out at 11 pm every night. The resort is not suitable for children but i think would be ok for retired people as it was so quiet.
we took a taxi into gumbet nearly every day to go to the beach which was ok the sand was a bit gritty the staff in the tavernas were great. the night clubs were not to busy unlike the one at bodrum marina were jumping and suit teenagers.
food in the hotel was traditional turkish breakfast. menu for lunch and a lot of salad for tea. we went out for meals several times and found most of the restaurants to be much of a muchness. shopping is good it was nice to haggle, but don't be rude. the turkish bath arranged through the rep is a must cost £6. the shops take stirling,lira or euro which is very accommodating i thought. the staff were friendly the bar man came out from the bar to the pool to top up or drinks (bless)
i had a great time although the hotel was basic it was clean and adequate as i only needed a base to sleep and change to go out.
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Bill And Benina
Guest
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Apartments are nice and spacious, and are well equipped, with fridge with freezer compartment, iron, ironing board, kettle, oven, two electric rings, even toastie machine. Lots of sharp knives etc if you want to cook. Big double bed, and sofa bed, with the kitchen area separated off. Only problem would be maybe not enough storage space, but this isn't a huge problem if you keep some things in the case, as there is plenty of room to store these. We were on a ground floor apt at the front of the blocks facing onto the pool, which meant that we had a large patio area, but some of the other apts, whilst having a balcony, were really quite small balconies, that could only fit two people max. Sheets were changed twice in a week, and towels were changed at least every other day. Nice touches like the cleaners leaving the towels arranged on the bed, and little bunches of flowers. Cleaners also did the dishes, which was fab.
HOWEVER bad stuff - due to the fact that the room was right next to the pool, it was also right next to the pool bar, which was open till 1am every night. The bar was generally okay, however there was a few nights where it was really noisy, and we might as well have been trying to sleep in the bar. We're not a pair of pensioners, and we were out most nights, but we were also on holiday to relax, and this meant that we didn't neccesarily want to be up till 1am every night (at 1am the party gets moved to the inside bar, and we never manged to still be up when it shut)! Also people could make quite a racket when going back to their room at night, and they didn't really respond to the security guard people handling skills (shut up and go inside). All in all these are good apts, but the noise was a bit of a pain, and the problem could have easily been solved by moving the party inside a little earlier, or even just turning the music down a bit earlier.
Don't let this put you off, but take it into account that if you have young kids you might want to see if you can request a room at the back.
AREA
The apts are up a hill, just off the main bit of Bodrum. This is great as you are in quite a seculded area, and don't have a million people going past, but the hill can be a bit annoying when going back up in the middle of the day when its really hot. It's fine at night though. I would think it would be okay even with a buggy, however if you have any other problems with walking, then I would say this might be an issue, but its quite a short hill, and not too steep. To get to town you can go down the lane, turn right and cross the road, then when you come to the steps (about ten) you go down them, and then follow the left hand lane. Alternativly you can go down the road BEFORE you get to Jimmy's bar, and then basically follow everyone else, which is probably the best way. Nearest shop is in the apts, but don't go here unless you can't be bothered going anywhere else, as they seem to just make up random prices for everything everytime you go in. The best shop we found was the 24 hour shop which is if you go down the road before you get to Jimmy's, however there's seemingly a miuch bigger super market if you turn left instead of right when you get to the end of the lane, however we never made it that far.
EATING AND DRINKING
Across the road from the apts is a great restaurant called Alp Kaptan, with great staff and good food. We also tried out First Stop, Golden Plate, La Turka and the Gardenya restuarant. Golden Plate was fairly good, and First Stop did a great Iskender Kebab. La Turka wasn't up to much, and we THINK one of us managed to get slight food poisoning from here, so maybe be wary. The restuarant at the apts was fair, and the food was good enough, but none of it was thrilling. Omlettes good for breakfast, and the Gardenya Steak Special was good before we flew out, but the bar staff were very confused by a request for a medium done steak.
When you're ordering a kebab, remember to ask what you actually are going to end up with, as you could get anything from what I would call a casserole, to a bit of dry hamburger meat on some flat bread. One place which we never made it to which serves the kind of kebabs we get here (but seeemingly MUCH better) is a wee place across from Heavenly Tours/ La Turka, which has the meat rotating on a spit so you can see it. Lots of Turks eating here, which is always a good recommendation.
Also if you are thinking about going B&B I wouldn't bother, as the buffet breakfast is only £2 per person, which I think is cheaper than if you pre pay it, and you'll never get up for it every day!
There's a mix of bars, with some nice places where your basically sitting on the beach within feet of the sea, which is lovely, and some more 'night out' bars, so it really depends on what you're up for. There are two clubs, neither of which we tried, but the big one, Halikarnos, didn't look up too much. I wouldn't say this was the place for you if you just want to have wild nights out every night, as you would really be going to the same places, however there is plenty of different places, but all with different atmospheres, a lot of them laid back and relaxed though.
Main meals are about £6 - £9, and wine is about £8 a bottle for a cheap bottle (and generally isn't up tho that much). Beer is the cheapest at about £1.30 - £1.60 a pint, and a LOCAL vodka and coke is about £2 - £2.50. If you go to one of the more dancy bars, you can pay up to about £2.50 a pint though, so pay attention. Things like Barcardi Breezers are about £4 at the cheapest, so avoid.
RESORT
Bodrum is a good resort, but just really isn't that thrilling. There's lots of shops and a generally good atmosphere, although the people calling you in all the time can be a bit irritating after a while. However 99% of the locals are very friendly, and just happy if you say hello. The castle is really good to go and see, and if you have even a slight interest in history, quite amazing if you think about its past. There's trips to local areas of interest, and also boat trips. We would recommend Heavenly Tours, which is just when you get to main shopping area, as they don't mind if you ask them loads of questions, and are realistic, rather than just repeatedly saying that you'll have a great time. Tours here are about £10 a person cheaper than with your rep. Lots of rip off Prada bags etc, at about £30 - £40 a go, but check the quality, as it really wasn't that good. There isn't much of a beach, but if you NEED to be by the sea, there are various sun loungers attached mainly to bars.
WEATHER
Considering it was late September it was amazing. 30o most days, and only one rainy period, which however was absolutely torrential, and the main street basically became a river. However two hours later it was glorious sunshine again.
FIRST CHOICE
Everything was fine and no hassle, however the reps talk lasted nearly an hour. I wouldn't bother, as she didn't even really give any useful info, mainly talked utter rubbish. First Choice were the cheapest we could find for this holiday though - £100 cheaper than EXACTLY the same from Thompsons.
OVERALL
A good holiday, in nice apartments, in a good resort. Nothing special really however, about any of it.
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Guest
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I went to bodrum with three friends expecting a lively nightlife and fab holiday,istead the nightlife was dead with no english people,we were constantly harrased by strange men wherever we went.
There were no good restaurants,the beach was tiny and soo close to the restaurants that you were constantly being bothered.club helicanos does not live up to its name and is soo expensive.Shopping is cr*p the try to charge £50 for a fake lv bag!
The excusions are good, the boat trip and turkish bath are fantastic,my friends liked the shesha place but i certainly wouldnt reccommend bodrum to any one it didnt have a good feel about the place icouldnt wait to get home and i felt unclean the whole time i was there.Apparently mamaris is beautifull and even gumbet has a better beach than bodrum so your advised to go there and if you really have any interest in bodrum just vist for the day(one day is enough! hope this helps BE WARNED!
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A Bartlett- Ipswich
Guest
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I have just got back from a weeks break and believe me it was WAY to short i want to go back again and am suffering from post holiday blues! 
This was my first time to Turkey and i have to say i CANT WAIT to go back. The TMT complex has to be the best hotel i have ever stayed at. The location, the food, the swimming pool, the private beach and most of all the friendly staff and the animation team were 1st class. Roberto is 'the man' always making people laugh and feel welcomed Toto, is also a very good entertainer, had me in fits of laughter (could easily be a stand up comedian) the way he speaks 5 different lanuages so quickly is also very impressive!!
A turkish bath is worth a go (especially for 6 english pounds) i didnt burn once after, its supposed to get rid of all your dead skin cells (nice!!!). Bodrum is also a lovely place very relaxed and lively at the same time. It doesnt come alive to at least 1am me and my girlfriend found this out half way through the holiday! Also the open air nightclub is worth a visit i loved the experience being open air makes it more relaxed i think and the views of the harbour from the top floor are amazing(worth the entrance fee alone).
All in all this was a excellent hotel and i cant wait to go back again i could write so much more good things, i think the helpful and friendly staff make this a first class holiday for families and people all ages.
10/10
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Judith - Staffordshire
Guest
Voted this Destination:Not voted yet
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We have just returned from Bodrum after a two week holiday. We booked this hotel as a 3* last year, when we arrived first impression was that it was very good for 3*, at our welcome meeting we were told the hotel had a major refurb and is now 4*, also the hotel is now named VERA TMT.
Our room was quite high into the hillside with quite a walk over the footbridge and up some steps, we didnt bother with the lift as the exersise will do you good. It is worth the walk as it is so quiet up there. The room was brand new with two separate rooms and a bathroom, not much of a balcony but a stunning view over Bodrum and the castle. The airconditioning was great as the temperatures were in the 30's for the whole holiday.
Food was excellent, BBQ's day and night with a great selection of salads etc. You will not starve in this hotel!! The drinks were great too, Efes beer, Barrells of red and white wine which you could just go and top up when you wanted, unlimited coke, fanta, sprite etc and a slush machine which our kids loved. The pool was the best we've ever been to, it is huge and no shortage of sunbeds, if you don't fancy the pool then there is a fabulous decked area and two jettys with huge bean bags to relax, also two watersides for the kids.
I took my 11 year old for a Turkish Bath (Thomson Trip), was a little worried if they may be touchy feely but I was reassured by our Rep Claire Thomson that it was ok. It really was a wonderful experience that you must do, and I have come back with a lovely tan.
We loved Bodrum, you can walk along the beach, even though they are building a new harbour and you have to walk through a building site to begin but its not a problem. You will be hastled by the restaurants, but when they see your wristbands and you tell them you are all inclusive they know you are not going to pay for food. The shopping is fantastic we got some great bargains, and the price haggling is great fun, you will get things for just over half the starting price if you are prepared to stick it out, but they are lovely people and I think they enjoy it as much as you do.
Our only critisism at the hotel was the entertainment of the animation team. A large team of staff of all nationalities but the entertainment was definately more towards Europeans, there were very few English while we were there, mostly Dutch, Belgians and French. We felt that for 4* it could have been a lot better, even though they tried very hard, we were at a loss some nights with the language.
On a Monday night its Turkish Night, this was the best night as they bring in a dance troupe and belly dancer, all the other nights its the animation team, it would have been nice if they could have brought a few more acts in, having said that the kids enjoyed it. Also in the daytime all the poolside activities are centered around adults, our 9 year old was desperate to play water polo but was not allowed as it was for adults. There argument is that there is a kids club (but it is full of 3 year olds, not what a 9 year old wants). There are free pool tables and table tennis, and tennis court, and volley ball courts, it would have been nice to have seen the kids having a mini tournements and would have helped the kids integrate and there was certainly enough staff to have done this.
All in all we had a fabulous holiday and would definately go to Turkey again and to this hotel.
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Guest
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The Anamation team Were Fantastic And Did There Best To Accomadate EveryOne ..... In Particular Michael MoMo Banderas Bb And Kerem Were Fantastic .... Michael Was Such A Nice Man Who Has Alot Of Time For EveryOne ... MoMo Is Funny ... And EveryOne else are Fantastic I strongly recommend the michael jackson show ... its amazing .... michael is an amazing dancer ... 
The Food Was excellent... sometimes abit repetative but what all inclusive hotels arent ... there were different places you could eat also .... garden bar... restaraunt .... the italian ...
Alot of the people were deutch and french but everyone spoke good english .... i would like to visit Tmt next year...
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