Love / hate relashioship with icmeler

[Caltonian]

Thank You Caltonian.

You have just endorsed what my original comment was about.

Regards
Peli

I think it might have been lost in translation lol.

What I, and I think what Peli originally meant (and what someone said after me, but better) is that a lot of old-timers to Icmeler look at things through rose-tinted spectacles. Icmeler for some people is a kind of Eden and in these harsh financial climates it is no longer meeting those expectations. All of those little extras like coffee, drinks, fresh fruit or whatever do cost money, even though it seems like only a little compared to the cost of your meal. However, taken over the course of a whole season those costs will mount up to a considerable sum and perhaps some owners feel this is where they can make some savings without ruining the experience or quality of the food and drink you are actually paying for.

Maybe it is us holidaymakers who need to reevaluate our expectations of what our money can buy. Businesses need to try to stay competitive so they try to keep their prices low. Their overheads however keep increasing, so there's no way we should expect the same standard. Either that, or Icmeler as a whole need to have a look at their pricing policy.

[Caltonian]

Just to reiterate my point, I found this post on the "Sept 2012 holidays in here" thread, on the last page of it;

I'm there 29th September til 13th October.

2nd time in Icmeler - I was there in May & loved it so much that I'm returning! Can't wait!

Expectations for those that have been there during the "Golden" era when everything was new and cheap need to change imo. To those who are new(ish) to the place, it will still seem like paradise compared to other resorts and just because it is not the same place for you doesn't mean that other people will feel the same.

If people had been posting that they didn't want to return because they felt the place was dangerous these days or that they were being ripped off everywhere, it would be a real cause for concern. However most of the 'complaints' people have, is based on previous perceptions they had of the place.

This is, I think, why Peli was saying people should consider their opinions before posting them or at least qualify it with a "this is just my perception" kinda disclaimer.

[Chocoholic]

I agree with the above post. Can I also add that I think it is very tactless and unjust to post that you will never go to a place again on a website that actually sells holidays, accomodation and flights to that very place and will help with any problems. enquiries etc. This is a site for lovers of Icmeler, yes, we post our concerns and things we don't like but to be so severe on this site to me is uncalled for! These people don't seem to name the good things that far outweigh the bad. There are more diplomatic ways of putting your concerns and in my opinion other sites other than the best one whose business depends on the holidaymaker. In other words they have a ruddy cheek! So there- I have said it!!!!!!

[Erik The Viking]

Please dont get me wrong, I will return to Icmeler but it wont be for a couple of years. I first visited there in 1991 when we passed by in a weeks gullet cruise from Bodrum (we had called into Marmaris as we were out of refreshments..) I cannot really remember much about it, we returned in 2000 when we stayed in the Aquarium in the old village, thats when we caught a taste of the place and have been back nearly every year.

I have never gone to Icmeler because its cheap, im a firm believer of you get what you pay for, and i'd pay well for a decent meal. What disappointed me last year was not the free drinks or the fact that we had to pay for the mezes (although we hadnt 2 nights before) it was the fact that on 3 occasions over the holiday we had extra drinks added to our bills and some were not as friendly, i think i remember the golden era when meals were cheap and all your notes had dozens of zeros on them and your lira went a lot further.

In these days of financial hardship with IA taking over, surely restaurant owners should be trying even harder to not only get new customers but look after their old ones. No one touches the guys in Tandoori Sizzler, they are ALWAYS polite and even when they are empty they smile and welcome you. A couple of places were the exact opposite, one even asked us how much we wanted to spend as they would 'make something special' some areas of the beach wanted you to pay for beds AND buy drinks all day long..its a shame.

I think we are going through a bad time, with us all spending our hard earned money carefully and the restaurants trying to do more for less, but by fleecing customers you wont achieve that.

I have continued to recommend Icmeler to anyone, if you have never been before then it will be paradise, i hope in 2 or 3 years when we return the place will have settled a bit and we will enjoy it again, until then we will try somewhere else. Please dont be put off by my or anyone elses comments regarding change, they are merely our opinions. I have made some good friends there and maybe lost some, we are all different with different likes and different opinions.

[mupton]

We have noticed a change over the years.
We first went to Icmeler back in 2004 and stayed in the Elif on the front and spent most nights in the Amalia where the service and food was second to none.
The Elif was also fantastic and the staff there we great and still there for in excess or 3 years.
We now take ourselves back into the old town most days and for most meals and find the service is almost not quite, but almost like the old days.
Some are still very good in the "New" town such as Friends restaurant, Tandoori Sizzler and Venice.
But we have also now started searching out the quiet bars without the "entertainment" as most as us have seen it that many times.
Its not that we are getting old its the entertainment is now to us "same old, same old"
And we have found some quite nice chill out quiet bars where you can chill or chat without shouting.
But don't get me wrong, we still love it and will more than likely still return for another 8-years or more

[brian1957]

I have been to Icmeler several times but the last couple of years i have been staying in the baba sahin on the edge of the old town.We very much prefer it there as the resteraunts are much nicer and food is great and you dont get any hassle.Would recommend Captain Sinbads inthe old town and the Lovestar.I have seen the dancing waiters many times and eventually you get fed up with them.Took a few walks down the new town at night and when i see them all crammed into resteraunts i couldnt wait to get back to the peace and quiet of the old town.Wembley bar is nice place to have a drink at night and drink is defo quite strong in there.
My wife and i love Icmeler and have already booked again for next year and we will be staying at the old town again.

[pedro26]

Hi, as a newcomer to Icmeler (two visits last year, one this year) I would like to contribute my opinion. Friends had always recommended Icmeler to me over the years, but I was always committed to Spain, for my holidays. As I have aged (not always gracefully), the lure of Spain has diminished due to the euro making prices too expensive and the take it or leave it attitude of the spaniards.I was looking for a holiday destination that was fairly chilled out but offered evening entertainment as well.What I have found in Icmeler I believe is for me, the best compromise. Love/hate are very emotive terms but I have some likes and dislikes. I like the heat, the friendliness of the Turkish people,sometimes almost overwhelming, but ultimately we are all potential customers, and so far the Turks have not adopted the indifference of the spanish. I like the relative cheapness of the food and drink and the laid back atmosphere. For me however, the only downside that i can think of is the lack of live musical entertainment, I would like to see bands or singers occasionally. I would not like to see Icmeler turned into a more brash, commercial type of town, but at times it is a little quiet(for me). So far I have seen nothing that will stop me returning next year, so roll on July 1st next year!

[JT]

Eastern Peli

[laticslass]

We've been going to turkey since 1999. Yes there are changes and it's not as cheap as it used to be. Every year we say we'll give it a miss and try elsewhere. But we always end up in Marmaris or Icmeler.
Infact, we hadn't planned a holiday for next year because we are saving for a house but we saw a good package deal staying at the Kapmar so yep we' ll be here again. The place draws us like a magnet and hope it does for many years to come.

[yorkshirerobin]

We have just got back from Bitez and had a lovely time, we have already booked for Icmeler next year as we love it. Bitez has a lovely laid back feel, no loud music, only a small place but we loved it will be interesting to see if Icmeler lives up to our usual lovely time we have there

[Chris221273]

Having read this thread all the way through, and having commented near the start, I think it's fair to say we may well have changed our minds.
It's true what some have said, where else would restaurant owners pick you up, take you home, drop you at the beach for no charge?
Let you go home without paying, as long as you pay next time you're passing?
Yes they need the custom, but as we have fou out, as have many others no doubt, some people do become good friends.
It will just be the 2 of us next year (can't take the pressure of 5 others tagging along again, and leaving all decisions up to me!!!). So roll on August 2013
Chris & Anita

[mel]

strange how someone has brought upthis topic we have been to icmeler now twice a year since 1994 and have seen all the changes some for the better a lot more for the worst yes we have made a lot of friends but as anyone with sense who has been a few times will work out most of them are only your friends when you take something in for them or spend all your time in there placethis year we gave it a miss tried tunisia and lanzarote what a differnce yes we missed our genuine friends but it losing it apeal thereis a world other than icmeler see it before your hooked for life it will soon be ovetaken by eastern block people who like there all inclusive might go back in a few yeaes to see whats happened.

[Harrishawk]

Hi all
Totaly agree Mel we're off to gran canaria tommorow and looking for somwhere different for next year
We always go self catering where ever we go but the all inclusives are starting to take thier toll on icmeler i think
On the reception desk at the apartments we stayed this year they had two information books about excursions and icmeler in general
One in scandanavian and the other in german nothing in english and stickers on the information boards advertising the fastest growing dutch tourism company
I have nothing against any of these countries but my point is you can see which way things are heading as regards all inclusive
Cheers

[Chris221273]

It's not just all inclusives spoiling icmeler, it's normal hotels to
We were speaking to one restaurant owner who used to get loads of business from the hotel next door for breakfasts, but this season they included breakfast in there standard price and he's now lost all that!!!
It was sad to see, as he was desperate, to the point he was bringing top ups for drinks that we hadn't even ordered.
Chris & Anita

[kirky]

I noticed this year alot more Turkish people using the beach there was a day down at kapis Deniz beach a group around 25 Turkish people wanted sunbeds then massive argument with owners probably cause there not going spend any money it went on around 15 mins then they moved next bit harmony then so on , 10 years I been coming Icmeler seems be less British coming to Icmeler .today a friend just came back from fueteventura over £3.50 pint beer and said beach superb but not good Icmeler only beach . Today have decided to book go gran canaria next August around 30 us who all been Icmeler many times but just want change , if flights not to expensive might come Icmeler end April

[Chris221273]

Nearly everyone I know, and also Anita's friends etc are all going to Turkey on holiday. So if not Icmeler/Marmaris......where are they all going that's so good?

[Blyth Spirit]

Well Icmeler last summer was our first taste of Turkey and we instantly got what you all rave about loved the place had a fantastic holiday, but this year wanted to try Dalyan.

We got back last Saturday and are already in process of booking for same hotel in Dalyan next year.
We thought it was far less staged than Icmeler, bars & restaurants less stage managed had a more authentic feel and at no stage of our time did anybody ask us to enter there bar or restaurant.

There is no doubt we will return to Icmeler it's a lovely place and wouldnt think twice about going, planning on taking our family away in 2014 and offering them Icmeler or Dalyan and if they pick Icmeler them we'd be equally happy as we know how good it is.

But as mentioned the economy is making people think about spending there hard earned cash, they want to try different places incase they don't get to go away again for whatever reason or just fancy a change also people want as much value for money as possible these days.

As they say each to there own & you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

[Dancing Lucy]

Just got back we had a good week went AI but will not do it again we only had 2 meals in hotel it was awful food, we ate out every other night and had breakfast out as well. Main reason for goin AI was because I like to laze around all day at pool while hubby wanders the town so thought i could stay at the pool and have drinks free, unfortunately there were only 34 sunbeds and 5 floors of about 20 rooms on each so unless I was up at 5am there was no chance of getting a bed so still ended up on beach each day buying my drinks. Nevertheless we had a brill holiday but could have saved a few hundred pounds by going self catering our friends were staying in Marmaris but spent every day with us in Icmeler. the flights were the most expensive thing of our holiday as I only like day flights so spent over £400 each with TC but we were delayed by 5 hours last night so still ended up with a night flight but will still be there next year I suppose but rather than going twice a year | have now started to go elsewhere early in the year to save money because of the flight charges.

[Keith]

Yes ive got a love /hate relationship with Icmeler too. I LOVE it when i am there and HATE it when i am not

[bikerjambo]

We're setting off for Tenerife at 2 in the morning but I can honestly say that I'm not really looking forward to it (apart from the time off work). I know that I'll not get offered a raki when I go into a shop to buy fags and I know that if I sit myself someplace I'll not have a waiter come sit and show me pictures of his kids. Holiday, yes, warmer weather, yes but just not Icmeler. But......if the price of flights mean that someplace else is more affordable then so be it.



PS. Hope I don't enjoy it too much

Well, what a lovely place to go, hotel was good but the "Blackpool mentality" mob wasted it as did the weekend Spanish who were a nightmare, fags 1 euro for 20, litre bottle of vodka 7.50 euro and pints of Dorado (sorry to say is better than Efes) at 1.50 euro. Weather was cracking as well, no hassle off the pubs after we waved our AI armbands at them but still got a friendly hello every time we passed.
In a nutshell, it was a terrible holiday because it wasn't Icmeler