Özlem Garden Hotel

“Stressful holiday made peaceful”

On arrival in Side at a different hotel, we were informed that they were overbooked and could not stay there (thankfully). Eventually, after talking to our tour operator (at extortionate prices), we were informed that we were going to be sent to the Ozlem Gardens (at our own cost). On arrival, th... more

On arrival in Side at a different hotel, we were informed that they were overbooked and could not stay there (thankfully). Eventually, after talking to our tour operator (at extortionate prices), we were informed that we were going to be sent to the Ozlem Gardens (at our own cost). On arrival, the manager stated he knew nothing about this, but put us in a room, so that the issue could be sorted. We eventually sorted the accommodation to our satisfaction and spent a pleasant week here. Food was varied, always something to eat. Staff were wonderful and even though their English may not have been the best, they were always helpful. (Perhaps being able to speak basic German helped). There is a promenade right outside the hotel restaurant with plenty to do either side, then the beach and a shallow shelved sea for paddling and swimming in. If you are interested in ancient architecture then Side (pronounce Seeday) is the place to go

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“Not quite what it says on the tin.”

On arrival the reception staff are very attentive and professional ,taking our luggage to our room through a pathway lined by citrus trees. Once in the room the accommodation is basic to say the least ,and photographed very well,perhaps deceivingly well,the cleanliness is superb ,being cleaned ... more

On arrival the reception staff are very attentive and professional ,taking our luggage to our room through a pathway lined by citrus trees. Once in the room the accommodation is basic to say the least ,and photographed very well,perhaps deceivingly well,the cleanliness is superb ,being cleaned everyday. The walls are very thin indeed ,and you can hear people walking and talking next door,also people chatting as they walk past your room,which is ok,unless it's 3 in the morning. The food,for me left a lot to be desired, 4 types of egg,scrambled boiled poached or omlette...every morning,with cereal ,meat,onions,cucumber etc ,we were the only English and felt quite isolated....every other customer seemed to be German. The Smoking in the restaurant is shocking ,your sitting next to someone who will simply light a cigarette,utterly ignorant no one askeing them to stop. cats walk freely in the restaurant,which isn't hygienic at all. There is no evening entertainment whatsoever,just the customers playing card games The location is superb only metres from the beach,no issues getting a sun bed. Should you decide to eat or drink out out for a change,then it's massively expensive....we had a lager and Bacardi and coke...which came to 14 euros. Sidê itself is not a huge place and can easily be got around in half a day,so excursions are something I would consider. The room has a TV almost every channel is in German There are better hotels ,personally having been there I would look at others first.

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“The good , the bad and the really nasty!”

The good first.... Fantastic beachfront location, nice citrus trees . Excellent cleaners. Lovely sandy beach ( see below though) . Reception staff very pleasant. The average...... Food , only catered for Turkish and German tastes, breakfast especially . Would have liked some healthy cereal and... more

The good first.... Fantastic beachfront location, nice citrus trees . Excellent cleaners. Lovely sandy beach ( see below though) . Reception staff very pleasant. The average...... Food , only catered for Turkish and German tastes, breakfast especially . Would have liked some healthy cereal and English breakfast items. Only cereal available 'kids' cereals and okay if you want four types of eggs, olives and salad items , definately not for us Brits! So glad i brought tea bags and a travel kettle. Hot food in evening luke warm and samey. And cats are everywhere in the restaurant. Rooms very average , thin walls and walkway outside meant we could hear everyone else. Rooms need modernising. The bad....... All other guests were German. So we felt a bit isolated. Waiting staff spoke very little English. We arrived around 11pm and within 10 minutes of being in our room. The German bloke in the next room was banging on our door telling us to be quiet! He was then banging on the wall literally five minutes after we returned from a walk. Reception were called after he demanded we were moved! This was not the start we wanted. British guests just don't behave like this! There was no entertainment at all in the evenings, the pool was consistently in the shade so no one used it. The really horribe.... There are lots of stray dogs in the resort and on a few occassions there was dog poo on the beach which was really nasty. There was a rather miserable guy employed to look after the hotel's sunbeds, he really needs to be clearing it up.

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