Need some help choosing hotel/destination...

by **jcalla** » 28 Jul 2007 22:58

Hi all,

Myself and my girlfriend (20 & 18) are looking to go away between the 15th and the 24th of August for two weeks. We have a budget of around £1800 for the entire holiday, to book the package and also for our spends, so we're cutting a tight budget as you can see.

We would really like to visit Turkey as it is a very pretty place and we both like the sound of it, but I need some advice on which of the following accomodations you would recommend us to go to (or another realistic prospect if you have one to suggest):

ICMELER

1) Salf catering: Selen 2 (£320)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review ... Coast.html
This one has nice reviews and sounds very good, but is really not much cheaper than Oylum Park which is AI.

2) All Inclusive Oylum Park (£400)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review ... Coast.html
Sounds ok, no problem about the lack of entertainment as we would only likely use the pool some days and have the odd meal, drinking here before we head into Icemeler for entertainment or evening meals some/most nights.

HISARONU

1) Bed & Breakfast: St Nicholas Grove (£335)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevi ... Coast.html
This place has great reviews and looks really pretty but my concern is the fact you have to travel to their private beach in Oludeniz to go to the beach, but I know it is a good one. Also would around £1100 really be enough for two weeks food and drinks?

2) Bed & Breakfast: Lagoon Hotel (£320)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review ... Coast.html
Same concerns as above. Wouldn't be sure whether to just spend £15 extra on above as it does look a little prettier and is slightly better rated?

They all look pretty good in terms of reviews. My big choices now are:

- Whether to go to Hisaronu which is near Oludeniz giving a lively/pretty combination just as staying in Icemeler but being near Marmaris does.
- Which accomodation to choose if I stay in Icemeler, as the AI is really not much more than the Selen 2 and recent reviews seem good for the hotel, it could still allow us to eat out quite a bit at that price but have the backup of guaranteed food and drink with the hotel?

If anybody knows some thing about any of these hotels, comparison of resorts I would really appreciate any advice/guidance you can offer me to help me make our first holiday together a good one.

Kind Regards
John

I have been to both resorts, and really there is no comparison - it has to be Icmeler. Much nicer resort.

Hisaronou is OK but compared to Icmeler, its a bit of a 'shanty town'....also find the people in Icmeler friendlier..... Lots of apartments to choose from, plus plenty of reasonably priced hotels.... you don't have to spend a fortune, to get a good bed for the night, and a decent bathroom.... what more do you want :roll:

Happy hols :!:

by **jcalla** » 29 Jul 2007 08:59

Ok thanks for your advice romantic'. After doing some research on the two resorts I was strongly leaning towards Icemeler anyway, as Hisaronu is essentially like Blackpool with the sun!

I'd really like to sample the culture in Icemeler and it looks very pretty. My only problem now is finding some nice clean B&B or SC accomodation which is clean, pleasant and has a nice sized pool so that we can spend some days in the pool if we want... it will be my girlfriend's first holiday so I really don't want her to be disappointed.

The Selen 2 is available on a SC-basis for £320 per person and is listed for 2 adults but of course I'd have to ring up to make there are no premiums because there are only the two of us!

Are there any B&Bs or SC accomodation that are clean, pleasant, have a nice pool and are near the beach placed just a few minutes away fron the town centre which are available?

I'm really open to anybody's recommendations or advice as we are looking to book in the next 48 hours!

Thanks again for any advice anybody can offer. I really appreciate it!

by **swc24** » 29 Jul 2007 09:56

Hi John

Why dont you give Sharon a call at ICR am sure she will be abale to sort you out all the apartments they deal with would be suitable for your needs.

She has just sorted a deal out for myself,wife and two kids and we are flying out on 13th Aug

The phone number is on the home page and is a uk number

Steve

by JT » 29 Jul 2007 09:57

The onlyone WE have available for those dates is the Siesta apartments which are close to the beach and are priced at £392 for the 14 nights

by **juneflo** » 30 Jul 2007 09:14

John,
I would have advised ICR - their list of accommodation all have good reviews. However as that's not available, I would suggest you stick with known tour operators - don't go for the lesser known ones (wont' mention them here). The standard of accommodation is much better, but also pool size. There are a few hotels with small pools or that don't get much sun.

I've been to both places too and I have to agree Icmeler knocks spots off Olu Deniz and Hisonaru for many reasons. Olu Deniz has a stunning beach - but you have to pay to get on that bit. It's a small resort and quiet at night. Hisonaru is just a long street - because it's between Olu Deniz and Ovacik, it relies on custom that has to travel or staying in Hisonaru itself, lots of empty bars or with a few people in so no atmosphere. There isn't a natural walk - ie pavement from Olu Deniz to Hisonaru - so it's a dolmus or taxi - you have to go up the mountain though I must admit the scenery is wonderful. Ovacik is a small village that's developed over the last 10 years or so. Some hotels but nothing really entertainment wise. The next thing would be to go to Fethiye - again dolmus or taxi. Whereas - Icmeler has something for everyone - you can walk into Marmaris or take a short dolmus ride.

My children are 31, 26, 23 - they love Icmeler - 1 stayed in Marmaris this year and hated it.

Seems to me, you'd be better off in the new village rather than the old village but both are great, just a little different. Old Village needs a walk, dolmus or taxi to get back I would think twice about AI - and look at the options, there's soft and another - the soft is limited! Most people find AI too similar and too Turkish (though that's strange isn't it if they go to Turkey). There's so many places to eat and it's so cheap that it's a shame not to try as many as possible.

Selen looks great. Don't know much about Oylum but I did look at it. There's Oylum Apartments and Oylum Hotel so make sure you know which one you're getting. If you've got a bit of time, you might want to ask ICR about cancellations - I can definitely recommend Rhodes Apartments and Club Daystar in Old Village - both ICR. ICR can do what a lot of tour operators can't - they're in resort so can tell you much more about hotels, location etc. Have a look at their map on the home page - that might help with location.

And - I stayed on the canal this year at Mitos Apartments, don't think that would be good for you as the pool is tiny and packed. We used the Korsan pool bar next door. But, don't think of canal as we know it here, it's beautiful and central.

Good luck.