Sirene Belek hotel

We’re just back from a weeks golfing holiday and stayed at Sirene Belek again. We have now stayed here 5 years and 5 times and always been a pretty solid choice of hotel however now isn’t as great as it once was.

We arrived at the hotel around 915pm and started filling in forms to check-in but told the buffet dinner restaurant would be closing soon so to head down there and get something to eat. We had about 15 minutes to eat and got a drink before they started taking food options away. The food was delicious but felt rushed but managed to get something to eat however and a drink. Check-In processes then continued and was slow and appeared to have arrived at a busy period where the two receptionists were rushed off their feet as well as the bellboys delivering the bags. None the less not awful just not as good as previously.

We were staying in the updated family rooms which had received a lovely upgrade and the two separate rooms were well furnished with power sockets and fast-wifi, complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and mini-bar which was included which was a lovely touch. Bathrooms were spacious and had 2 separate sinks and lovely walk in shower.

The minibar was replaced daily with new beers, soft drinks and snacks being replenished however on two occasions our room wasn’t serviced by the maid meaning we didn’t have towels for our evening shower and the bin in the main bedroom was overflowing. Not dreadful but still not great.

The facilities at Sirene Belek are great with a wonderful indoor spa, gym and pool facility which is lovely and relaxing if you want a break from the sun. 50m Olympic pool and aqua park are also a lot of fun. The Pier Bar is also a great place to relax with a drink where you can enter the sea directly from the steps for a cool down. Evening entertainment and daytime entertainment is also a real positive from this hotel as well with Darts and Volleyball tournaments during the day and a great variety of different shows at night and live music and bands.

My only criticism of the facilities was the towels. Whilst there are numerous places you can pick up towels in the hotel you cannot get a towel after 1630 in the evening. The towel hut is locked and you are out of luck. Something to remember if you want to go for a late afternoon swim.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars on site including the wonderful Pier Bar, Pool Bar, Beach Bar and Aspendos Show Bar. Staff are working tirelessly to serve everyone quickly and normally all very friendly too.

Food and drink is very varied and always tasty with themed dishes in the buffet restaurant and the Italian Al a Carte restaurant we visited was delicious and well worth the 20 euro it cost per person. Drinks seletions are good too with numerous import spirits such as Johnny Walker Black, Glenmorangie Single Malt, Bacardi and Smirnoff Voda. I was happy with the fresh fruit juice and Efes beer but you certainly won’t struggle for a drink or food here.

Finally, Would I return to this hotel for a 6th time? Absolutely. The positives completely outweigh the negatives, but the hotel could be great again if it fixed these simple mistakes but unfortunately for me this visit wasn’t the 5* vacation I was promised.

As we travel to Turkey twice sometimes 3 times per year I was hoping for the normal standard. Whilst the rooms are spacious, plus clean and food is well presented. Meal times can be a little hectic. As classed as a five star it lacks the simple things for example. A lot of staff don’t understand English. Outside bars are often found with large queues whilst waiting for drinks.

We requested at breakfast soya milk to be told the hotel doesn’t have it but the bars do? So we have to obtain a carton from the bar to keep it overnight to take to breakfast? Why don’t they have it to hand in the restaurant??? As apposed to one milk fits all.

The bars have strange arrangements for example you can’t order a lime and soda water as they don’t have any cordial of any sort If the barman doesn’t understand exactly what you’ve ordered you get pot luck.

There is a charge for items like pool etc

Air con in the rooms is a little pointless, possibly centrally controlled as the room does not fall below 21.5.

The main staircase handrail could do with some attention. As are areas like the main bridge with trip hazards.

All in all it is clean, food is plentiful but having stayed at other hotels in the area this is at best maybe a 3 or 4 * as apposed to a 5 and definitely not an ultra all inclusive.

For golfers it’s ideal. Great courses and a short shuttle bus journey. At the course it is well advised to book buggies in advance. The price also fluctuates for buggy hire from 55 euros to 70 euros.