Grand Aquarium?

[Shinos]

Hi all-
I have never been to Icmeler/Turkey before. Due to go mid August- really looking forward to it- heard loads of good reports etc.

Just wondered if anyone has stayed at Grand Aquarium apts? Any tips, reviews etc will all help.

Myself, wife and 15year old daughter are going.

Good places to eat near to it (or in town?); good bars near to it (or in town?); travelling from/to apts to town/beach area?; good for teenagers?; good bars to catch the Prem footy (all games?)?

Your views and tips greatly appreciated-THANKS!

[reesy1959]

Hi and welcome to the forum, I am sure you will all love Icmeler as much as we all do.

I cant help you with the Grand Aquarium, but I am sure someone who has been there will be along soon.

[Dannii_89]

I stayed at grand aquarium last may. We got a really good deal because someone had just cancelled the holiday, we had never heard of this place before and didn't know what to expect!

These apartments are fab, the only downside to this place is that's is not really near anything and it's a good 20 minute walk to the centre. But there are always taxi's waiting outside the hotel day and night to take you wherever you want to go, if you don't fancy the walk. There is a mini market located on site which is reasonably priced an sells everything from ice-lollies to toilet rolls so there's really no need to go anyhere during the day!

The rooms are of a decent size and are always spotlessly clean. The pool is large and has a huge slide which is turned on twice a day and left on for about an hour. There's an entertainment team who work at the hotel who do activities through the day (waterpolo ect) they also do a kids mini disco and entertainment in the restaurant at night.

The payment system in the complex is a credit watch. You pay a deposit at reception for the watch which you get back at the end of your stay when you hand it back in. You top up the watch at reception and whenever you pay for things in the restaurant or the mini market they scan your watch and you get a reciept saying how much credit you have left. A good idea if you don't like to take money down to the pool with you!!

Don't think you will be disappointed with this place...hope you have a great holiday!!

[salford_steve]

I stayed at grand aquarium last may. We got a really good deal because someone had just cancelled the holiday, we had never heard of this place before and didn't know what to expect!

These apartments are fab, the only downside to this place is that's is not really near anything and it's a good 20 minute walk to the centre. But there are always taxi's waiting outside the hotel day and night to take you wherever you want to go, if you don't fancy the walk. There is a mini market located on site which is reasonably priced an sells everything from ice-lollies to toilet rolls so there's really no need to go anyhere during the day!

The rooms are of a decent size and are always spotlessly clean. The pool is large and has a huge slide which is turned on twice a day and left on for about an hour. There's an entertainment team who work at the hotel who do activities through the day (waterpolo ect) they also do a kids mini disco and entertainment in the restaurant at night.

The payment system in the complex is a credit watch. You pay a deposit at reception for the watch which you get back at the end of your stay when you hand it back in. You top up the watch at reception and whenever you pay for things in the restaurant or the mini market they scan your watch and you get a reciept saying how much credit you have left. A good idea if you don't like to take money down to the pool with you!!

Don't think you will be disappointed with this place...hope you have a great holiday!!

I agree with you, the only slight downside we found was they hassled you abit to much for my likeing. Lying round the pool we were constantly hassled for hairdressers, turkish bath, turkish night, jewelery shop, did we want to play games. I would go back if I got the right deal as they are stunning apartments, but for me there are just as good in Icmeler which are cheaper and with less hassle.

Steve

[Shinos]

Thanks for those- very helpfull.
How much would a taxi be into town/beach? Also, as an alternative, are there buses running to town/beach at all?
I am going in August- do you reckon the water slide will be on a bit more, rather than a n hour??
Also- do you have to have the watch thingy?
Are there any bars/restaraunts nearby at all?
Thanks.

[salford_steve]

A taxi if I remember correctly was about 7 lira, best to ask how much before you get in and if you're not happy tell them how much you realisticly want to pay. There is a dolmus that runs regularly just wait outside the Supermarket and Tommys Bar they are about every 10-15 mins. It is 1.25 each lira into the centre.

I can't see the water slide being on more than twice daily for an hour, I think it is the same all the way through the season, I think it boils down to cost of turning it on and also it has to be supervised by one of the entertainment team so it is a staffing issue aswell.

The watch is optional you don't have to have it, but if you don't have it then you wont be able to buy anything from the bar or onsite supermarket as they don't accept cash. You get the deposit for the watch back, and you are under no obligation to put money on it, you can put as little or as much as you like on it. Also any unspend credit on the will be refunded to you along with you deposit when you give the watch back.

Steve

[Shinos]

Thanks for the advice mate!

[salford_steve]

No probs. I am sure you will enjoy your stay there, the Turkish Bath there is highly recomended by me as unlike the bigger ones you get it esclusively for your familly and you will be the only people in there dureing your alloted time.

Steve