Icmeler Online Holiday Forum & Reviews - Turkey

Hi All,

We have booked a couple of weeks stay for the end of August at the Grand Aquarium Apartments. I have read a few different reviews on the place and they seem quite mixed. The general downside appears to be the location.

I was wondering if any forum members had stayed here, and if so if what was there opinion on the place such as what the rooms are like, facilities, staff, and if there is a kids club (as I am taking my 3 year old) and any other info they may have.

I'm soooo looking forwards to going back to the hot sun of Icmeler, and escaping our rubbish weather....Cant wait.

Thanks
Debbie

Stayed here a couple of times - it is quite far back in the old village which i liked but that is really a matter of taste. There is a supermarket close by (24 hour) and Tommys bar which is where you can get the dolmus and there were always plenty. The rooms are not very big - they are fairly basic but not too bad (they mustn't have been when I returned) however the top floor ones are VERY hot - air con was extra then, don't know if this is still the case. There is a kids club which can be a bit touch and go - i suppose it can depend on how many kids they have sometimes it was just colouring or watching a movie although the staff do things like the club dance around the pool and stuff like that which the kids really loved. All in all we had a good holiday there - i'm sure you will be fine.

Hi

3 years ago we stayed in apartments which are right behind Grand Aquarium. Located in the old village they are about a 15 or 20 minute stroll from the main town center but the route is served very well by the dolmus bus which takes you to town in about 5 mins. There is a little supermarket about a minutes walk away and Tommys restaurant is about 2 minutes away. We as a family prefer the old village as you are away from the main hustle and bustle of the town at night but close enough to get too if you do decide to go out in the evening. We are back in the same apartments this year. While staying there 3 years ago we met a couple staying in Grand aquarium and they seemed to like it ok. They mentioned an entertainment crew so I imagine there must be plenty to do as it seems like a big place inside. Sorry I can not comment on the rooms or staff but from what I could see from our apartments it looked ok. I am sure you will have a good time there and your 3 year old will love it. There is plenty to do in Icmeler for younger ones ( my 7 year old niece is going with us this year). Enjoy your holiday

Thanks Sunlover

Thanks for the quick reply, its recommendation in itself the fact that you stayed there and returned.
I'm not too bothered about it being the back of beyond. It adds to the fun of discovering new places....

Thanks again

Cant wait to get there now. xx

Debbie

no probs - to be honest I wouldn't even class it as the back of beyond - we stay in the julian forest now which is even further back lol but as the previous poster said the village is nice for families. Just noticed someone posted about the club aquarium using the armbands and this is something to note the grand does this as well - you do get used to it and as long as you keep track you shouldn't have any problems with it. My youngest was about the age of your little one the two years we went and she had a ball (if they are happy it's half your battle). If you think of anything else you need to know don't hesitate to give me a shout. Im sure you will have a ball.

hi,
we stayed at the grand Aquarium 6 years ago fo our honeymoon, we thought it was lovely, nice big pool, plenty of stuff if you have kids(our are all grown ), lovely staff, couldnt fault the place in any way, not that long a walk really, just keep stopping in bars on the way or get the dolmus down, you will find that nearly all the resteraunts will offer to pick you up and take you back if you want to eat with htme, you will have a ball,
Sue

I hope you have a great time Sue (I'm sure you will).

It's my first time in Icmeler and I too am staying at The Grand Aquarium Hotel with my wife and 15 year old daughter (it's her first time abroad). We fly out on 24th July for 11 nights and so looking forward to it - temps are around 44 in direct sun at the moment and around 32 in shade. Probably will get a little hotter by end of July so can't wait - will need plenty of factor 30 though lol

Hi Sunseeker
I have stayed at the Grand twice last time was about 4 years ago. Apartments are very clean but on the smaller side but more than big enough for 2 adults and a 3 year old. They have everything you need for your stay. The pool is lovely but sundbeds get taken very quickly although there was a rule that if you put your towel on before 8am you had to be sat on the bed...not sure if this applies. They have a kiddies pool as well. For adults the slide is on twice a day and that is good fun.
They have a wristband system where you charge money onto it and when you buy a drink or food they deduct it off the band and when it runs out you go to reception and put more money on it. Saves having to have cash around the pool or building up a bar tab.
They have a Turkish bath on site which is very good, a gym and a hair salon so Sue you can be pampered whilst dad looks after the little one.
Both times I have had a really good time there and enjoyed it. Yes it is a bit far back and in the heat of the day is hard going walking to the town but the dolmus is very cheap and goes from the top of the access road to the Grand and as previously said alot restaurants will come and collect you and take you back to the Grand at the end of the evening or a cab is about 10 lr.
Hope you enjoy it and have a good black.

Jeanette

Jeanette wrote:Hi Sunseeker
I have stayed at the Grand twice last time was about 4 years ago. Apartments are very clean but on the smaller side but more than big enough for 2 adults and a 3 year old. They have everything you need for your stay. The pool is lovely but sundbeds get taken very quickly although there was a rule that if you put your towel on before 8am you had to be sat on the bed...not sure if this applies. They have a kiddies pool as well. For adults the slide is on twice a day and that is good fun.
They have a wristband system where you charge money onto it and when you buy a drink or food they deduct it off the band and when it runs out you go to reception and put more money on it. Saves having to have cash around the pool or building up a bar tab.
They have a Turkish bath on site which is very good, a gym and a hair salon so Sue you can be pampered whilst dad looks after the little one.
Both times I have had a really good time there and enjoyed it. Yes it is a bit far back and in the heat of the day is hard going walking to the town but the dolmus is very cheap and goes from the top of the access road to the Grand and as previously said alot restaurants will come and collect you and take you back to the Grand at the end of the evening or a cab is about 10 lr.
Hope you enjoy it and have a good black.

Jeanette

Stangely, this was aimed at me - I'm not called Sue, neither is my wife, and my daughter is 15 not 3 lol, and what's a 'black'?

Either way, it's nice to get a reply but I did a lot of research before I booked it back in January so I've got a pretty good idea what to expect. I was originally going to book Golmar Beach Hotel but the prices started creeping up before I was due my money (I'm a part time DJ and December is always very busy) I usually get paid around the middle of Jan so that's when I book our holidays.

Thanks again,

Justin

Really sorry Justin, must have been having a mad moment. lol
Either way you will really enjoy your holiday so apologies for any wrong name calling and ageing of your children.

Enjoy the efes, sun and the holiday atmosphere.

Jeanette

Jeanette wrote:Really sorry Justin, must have been having a mad moment. lol
Either way you will really enjoy your holiday so apologies for any wrong name calling and ageing of your children.

Enjoy the efes, sun and the holiday atmosphere.

Jeanette

lol, it's really not a problem, I will enjoy my holiday, less than a month now and yes, plenty of Efes will be consumed

Going on what people are posting, Icmeler is an addictive place, it's our first time there but by the sounds of it, we will probably return