love affair well and trully over

[Loz207]

well ive been back almost a week.
1st time i have traveled to icmeler alone, 1st time back in 6 years but for my 8th and last ever time
The only good thing about it was the glorious weather
Icmeler has changed and not for the better imo. sad really as i used to love the holidays there

Thanks for all the happy memories but i will never go back to icmeler

Adios people

[ivano]

bit of a strange statement to put on a forum without some sort of explaination but to each their own,and everybodys intitled to an opionion.hope your find somewhere else that meants your expections

[feefee1970]

I just wonder why too
I really didnt want to go this year as there was loads off negitive post, and really enjoyed myself so much planning 2013

[Chocoholic]

With all due respect- 5 years of membership and only 33 posts? Not exactly a great poster so why bother to tell us this at all and as Ivano says without explaination? Nothing will put me off as I still love the place.

[blondie]

Sorry to hear that - but as others have said, it would have been interesting to find out exactly why you seem disillusioned with Icmeler now. Maybe you'd care to enlighten us?

[teac532s]

I too had read a lot of negative post this year but while there in June i loved it. My niece and her daughter traveled with us first time and they loved it as well. It would be nice to hear what exactly has put you off Icmeler. I too noticed a few changes but to be honest they didnt bother me enough to put me off going again , which I will be doing at some point. Do spill the beans please and tell us your thoughts.

[Chocoholic]

What really gets me is that some are quick to point out the negative and the changes they don't like but what about the improvements? What about not as much hassle? Years ago when I first started going I could not walk past one single bar without being hassled and had a card thrust into my hand, now hassling like that has all but disappeared. What about the walkway along the beach? that is a vast improvement. Also the square? no-one can say it looked better before. What about the prices not rising as much as things do here in the UK every year? I'm sure there are many more improvements I haven't thought of . Nowhere on Earth is 100% perfect.

[teac532s]

Have to agree with Chocoholic. People are quick to point out negatives but not so quick to point out the positive. I too think there have lots of improvements. The hassle this year was minimal and I enjoyed it. The new square is brilliant. The prices are fair. The atmosphere is still as good as ever. The only negatives I seen were some places closed and have to say the new canal stalls were a negative for me , just not the same. Still will not stop me going back as the positives far outweigh the negatives in my opinion.

[smc4761]

To be honest I did not think that there were that many negative comments at all on the forum. The reviews were generally positive as well

This is an open forum and as such I would want to hear both positive and negative thoughts. In the main the only real negative I can remember coming up again and again was the lack of atmosphere at the canal stalls

[Sami]

A very strange and straight to the point thread and yes, it would be good to hear why. I too am like you all who have posted afterwards. You will not stop me going to Icmeler ever. I can find one negative and this is for next year rather than this one and that is, .... the flippin air fare! For July. I've searched all the different flight sites and they are very expensive for this month. All the other months are reasonable. But apart from this, my love affair with Icmeler is well and truly alive.

[kirky]

Yes would be nice to know why not ever returning I'm myself won't be returning next year due to visiting Icmeler for last 10 years mostly twicè a year I'm going back to Spain
Probably wishing I was in Icmeler when I'm there but as they say world big place !

[Chris221273]

The only negatives we had were that a few bars brought us drinks we hadn't ordered and side dishes as well, simply due to the fact they were struggling!
Also one bar we went in, was nice and quiet, which we wanted, but then when the bar opposite turned their music up, they then turned it up louder, which spoiled the tranquil atmosphere that we went there for!
The new canal stalls were ok for a change (we'd never seen the originals) so that was quite nice.
I think the biggest thing for us, which is a real negative, is the fact so many of last years staff were gone, which did in fairness stop us going in bars that we went in a lot last year.
It's still a wonderful place, but have to say I'm wondering just how much it will change next year, as we spoke to one bar owner who reckons up to 50% of the bars/restaurants won't be there next year due to the rising rents!
But all in all we've still never been anywhere quite like Içmeler, and all being well might be back next year.
Chris & Anita

[kirky]

I hope that's not case tandorri sizzler lads closing I think landlords need reality check ok 20 years ago Icmeler was few hotels ect now to many bars restuarants all fighting over your custom due to all inclusive boom only today I just booked our Christmas party at very nice local hotel £50 3 course meal drink much u want ! Until council in Icmeler gets grip more local bars restuarants won't survive I'm afraid I don't want see Icmeler full wristbands

[Chris221273]

Well we heard the new mayor is trying to turn Içmeler back in to the old fishing village it used to be!
Hence why he's putting the rents up so high so people have to close.
Although that might be good in one sense the aftermath is an awful lot of people out of work!
Lets hope & pray not!
Chris & Anita

[geovil]

The only negative we found were the prices at the airport,went to Icmeler in June prices were not as bad as some people had said and the food and service was excellent,and the the hospitality when you go to the beach is second to none went to Ibiza in September food was very bland,and the beach was just a money pit £12 to £16 for a sunbed and umbrella just as well we did not go to the beach much, would also like to know why someone would not like to go back to Icmeler, we love it that much we are taking the whole family this time.

Geovil

[SUSANMKENNEDY]

Mine is a very strange situation with Turkey in general. I love the place so much, I feel like it's my second home and always look at other places and they never seem to compare. We even married in Icmeler last year (we have only been 4 years in a row to Icmeler but I have travelled everywhere in Turkey). The things that make me angry are things like Chris221273 says, bringing out drinks and food you haven't ordered, yes they are struggling but we work hard all year and have to take a loan out to go on holiday, what right have they to do this. You go in a shop and straight away they quote you a ridiculous price and act like they are your friend. Last year I picked up some sandals I liked and had been quoted 40 lira in one shop then walked into another and straight away he says 100 lira. Why? If he treats me right I'll spend my money there but some people don't realise and pay and it's usually the elderly that do because they pester until they get a sale, it's cruel. I've had people pester us to go in their shop and when we have politely said no thanks they swear behind your back, not a good way to get you to go in maybe next time. Don't get me wrong there are nice people such as Tayfun at Harry Rams, he always gives a good price and buys my daughter a present every year when we leave and I love taking my daughter every year as she will hopefully grow up with my love of Turkey and even said 'Merhaba' to me when we came home. Some people seem to see tourists as a fee ride and have people bringing over alcohol, food, football tshirts trainers and people do not realising they are being used. These people spoil Turkey. They just need to realise treat us right and we will be alright with them and go back time after time. But us, as tourists, need to stop paying their overpriced items and tell them why we are not buying in their establishment and stop taking expensive items over that they ask for like they are not expensive to buy then they don't take us for granted. This for me spoils Turkey and it's a shame as I would certainly spend more money if they weren't trying to rip me off and I'm also too scared to look in some shops as once they spot you they don't let you walk round just browsing it's always push, push, push so I cannot relax and go shopping like you can at home. Last year we stayed at Senem apts and they added drinks on we didn't have and other stuff we weren't happy about which other guests were complaining about too, guess what I wont stay there again, they've spoilt it for themselves as a frequent traveller to Turkey I could've gone back there and stayed if they'd treat us right. If they learn these lessons it would be perfect as I really do love the place apart from the 2-3 issues above. The scenery, food, weather, most of the people, music etc etc are wonderful. No doubt we will be there again next year and can't wait.

[Raynard]

A great post Susan, you said things that my wife and had been thinking.

[dksbbs]

Well we heard the new mayor is trying to turn Içmeler back in to the old fishing village it used to be!
Hence why he's putting the rents up so high so people have to close.
Although that might be good in one sense the aftermath is an awful lot of people out of work!
Lets hope & pray not!
Chris & Anita

Zeki is not a new mayor, he has been in power for most of the last 30 years apart from 5 years during the last term, he has been responsbile for the way Icmeler has grown from a small village to small holiday resort most of us love, he does not control rents of bars and restaurants, the landlords do that.

Dave

[Chris221273]

We had the same problem at the Senem Susan, we had drinks added several times which we knew we hadn't had!
And when we left the manager tried to charge us for staying on later in the day, even though we were leaving a day early and paid until the following day!
Will be interesting to see the reviews on the Senem for next yet what with tannah and musty having left to open there own place in Akyaka!
It wouldn't be the same without them there that's for sure.

[majie]

Good post SusanKennedy. I think it is mainly a problem in larger resorts such as icmeler and marmaris etc. Having travelled all over turkey since 1990 the only time I have ever been sworn at behind my back was in icmeler. I returned for a few days last year... ordered a couple of vodka and coke's.. they brought 4 for some reason they couldnt explain... probably a bogof offer... do they think we are stupid ? it was plain flat coke.. so we never returned to that particular establishment despite being harrassed every time we walked past. we go to a different resort which has a different atmosphere and dont seem to have the same problems. it is a real shame because the bay, beach etc etc are just beautiful, it is a cheap resort and the boat trips are good value.. its just stuck in 1992 with the entertainment but that has been discussed many times and doubt it will change now. i had to smile last year passing a bar which was advertising "cha cha slide tonight " says it all really. mind you thats only 12 years old !!