We have just come back from two weeks at the Rixos hotel in Bodrum and we envy anyone who still has their hoiday to look forward to.

We have been on 14 holidays together and we are now just worried on how we are going to top this one!

From the minute we walked into the grand lobby at 4 o'clock in the morning, we knew we were in for something special. We really didn't think we would ever be able to afford such luxury. (We are a couple in our forties with no children and we do like to treat ourselves!) Having said that, we have not been on a 5 * holiday before, (4 * normally), so possibly if you are used to 5* then I m sure there could be better but you would have to very fussy (and very rich!) to find anything wrong with this hotel.

The hotel pool is just amazing. its so big that I think even if everyone staying there was in it at the same time there would still be plenty of room!.They also had a inside pool, which a small part goes outside and another pool with 4 flumes, which are great fun!

The beach is lovely. We spent most of time down there. More peebles then sandy (only on way into the sea)so slightly hard to get in and out, but no real problem. Beach bar overlooks the sea and the waiters come round all day with drinks just in case your too lazy to get up and get them yourself!. Height of lazy: girl comes round to polish your sunglasses!

Never had any problems with not getting sun loungers where you wanted. seemed to always be plenty of space but without it feeling like the place was empty.

I would book into the restaurants every night. Although the buffet is excellent, its just lovely to be waited on. Great food in them all, but particulary liked the French rest. (We wouldn't be able to afford to go to one like that here in Edinburgh!) You need to book the night before between 6 and 8pm and although a couple of times it was engaged, we did not have any problems at all. Seemingly if you have forgotten to book the day before, you can check at reservations in the lobbly at 4 pm to see if there is any still available for that night. (Only found about this on our last day). Even have one open at lunch time, so again no need to go to buffet if you don't want to. Lots of choice for breakfast buffet. You will not starve thats for sure!

The room was nice. We had a lovely big balcony but looking over the flat roof of the apartments below.Although we did have a sea view. Could have done with a bit more greenery to break it up slightly but again just a minor thing and i m sure some rooms would not have this problem. Could have also done with some drawers but we managed. Keep really clean as is the whole complex.

You do need to walk up hills, (depending where your room is) and it can be quite steep and a bit hard on your legs, but unless you have got a problem then its just the height of lazyness to complain! Have read some people moaning about it but i can imagine they are the fat, unfit ones!. With all the food that is available, you need some exercise!

Plenty to do if you want to. Couple of things that are annoying. Every morning they play 'Good morning, Good morning' at the pool and also they do have some games, but only for about an hour. So if your like us and don't to join in then it can get on your nerves but again only slightly.( You would have to be a really gumpy person to let it bother you!)

They also have a disco on the island which is fun. We were really impressed with their fireworks. Saw them 3 times. They also put shows on there and although we only saw one I thought my partner was going to pass out when these two stunning girls were up dancing with hardly anything on!.

Lots of different nationalities which we thought was really interesting. Meet a few other couples of all different ages and everyone we spoke to really loved it.

So, if anyone is wondering whether its as nice as it looks, then trust me it is!. My partner is quite fussy (understatement of year!) and when i asked what he would give it out of ten he said 9. When i asked what he had taken the the 1 mark off for he couldn't really say and so changed his score to a 10! Let me tell you that alone says a lot, I should know I've lived with him for 15 years!


Enjoy you holiday. It would be almost impossible not to!

10 days in heaven-what else can I say.
The complex is beautiful,clean and has very well maintained grounds with plenty of grass and flowers.
The room was kept very clean and had a 4 poster bed ,mini bar which was restocked daily, shower/ bath, and the room was twice the size we usually get. We also had a balcony with table and two chairs.
As the complex is vast they have a blue shuttle bus with bus stops and you can get a lift almost everywhere, although I do think if you had limited mobility you would struggle getting around without help.
The main building was immaculate, marbled floors and decorated to a very high standard and always lovely and cool. The games room was well equipped and probably only one of the places you actually had to pay for anything-tv gaming,internet etc. There is wireless if you do need to take yr laptop!
The swimming pools were clean and welcoming and had ample sunbeds,umberella's, gazeebos with muslin curtains and even little sunloungers for kids. The staff came round the pool,beach and jetty with coffee in the morning and cold drinks all day long.
The animation team were excellent,good fun but not at all pushy. Their dancing and choreography at night was something to see.
All the staff seemed to smile all the time and really appeared to love their jobs. We regretted not carrying some Turkish Lira with us for tips ,there are tiny discreet tip boxes at the restaurants and the service really does warrant a tip.
The beach again had ample sunbeds,umberellas and gazeebo's plus private lounges on jettys which you could book and then food etc was brought to you.
The sea was crystal clear and excellent for snorkling-we saw so many different fish and also starfish and one octopus!
Water sports were available,some were charged but others ie canoes were free.
The main jetty from the beach had sun 'mattress's' and umberellas and was wonderful to lie on with a slight breeze blowing.
Hardly anyone put towels on beds early unlike most places now.
The clientelle varied but I think English were by far the minority but that was not a bad thing as everyone there was polite.
The Spa complex had everything you could want to pamper yourself with. The turkish bath is highly recommended as is a drink from the fresh juice bar.
The restaurant served food to a very high standard and the variety and presentation was amazing. There is a wine cooler with a bottle of wine and a bottle of water on all tables at night and the waiters get any other drinks you want.
There are 7 a la carte restaurants which you book the night before by phone from your room or in the hotel. We never had a problem booking a table and again the food, service and staff were excellent.
You can also book a breakfast cruise on the hotel yacht at no extra cost.
The island disco was a real bonus, what a fantastic setting for an outdoor nightclub with bar and all-inclusive drinks.
It was open until 3am then if you still hadnt had enough the bar inside the hotel was open all night and the restaurant served food!!
Oh and if that wasnt enough there was room service too.
So basically a brilliant place to chill,sunbathe,swim,eat,drink,dance and sleep.
Start saving now and treat yourselves.

One of the best hotels we have stayed at- the staff,food,drink and facilities were superb. All-inclusive in the best possible setting- a la carte restaurants, breakfast on a gulet sailing around the bay- a disco for the younger ones on an island so that it wasn't too intrusive for us older folk- excellent buffets for all meals if you wanted informal-24 hour drinks (if you can stand the pace!)- very attentive service at restaurants and bars- curtained sunbathing canopies for those who want some shade- I could go on and on.
If you do want any extras (eating in the Japanese restaurant £40, 8yr old malt whisky £8 etc.) it is expensive but that would be entirely your own choice, there is no need to spend anything extra. The food in the French and Fish restaurants was some of the best we have had anywhere at no extra charge and with no limit on dinner bookings per stay.Very cosmopolitan and chic-definitely no wristbands!
All this in a really beautiful setting- the only thing to beware of is the mosquitoes- take strong repellent!
Thoroughly recommended!

This was our second stay in a Rixos Hotel, so I know what kind of a service we were looking for. Everything was perfect, staff was so kind. Also the best part is the nature and sea. We swam with my wife in October :). A must go for a Bodrum experience.