Just got back from the Kervansaray Resort in Bodrum where my partner and I enjoyed a week’s break.

We had hoped for a week in the sun but unfortunately the weather was a mixed bag with a 50:50 split between sunshine and showers – note for those wishing to travel in October. Also as it turned out, it was the last week of their season and everything was running down and lots of things were closed. We marked the ‘value’ section down as this reflected the fact that quite a few things were closed and we though we were going to get them – 2 out of the 3 restaurants were closed, entertainment was limited, and planned activities just didn’t happen through lack of people being there!

The resort itself was located some 20 km from the airport – good quality roads and only a 20 minute transfer, that said it was just off the main road and you could hear the traffic from the bungalow we stayed in.

We were in one of the bungalows which was very clean, a small walk away from the main hotel and had everything we needed (air-conditioning, good bathroom with a bath, big double bed, fridge with free bottled water, nice balcony etc.).

The resort itself has everything you could want for - water slides for the kids, huge swimming pool, gym (could do with some new equipment though), shops (not too over priced but would recommend buying all your sun cream in the UK), and a great spa – look out for YOUSEF (if he is still there as his contract was up for renewal for next season) as he is extremely helpful and always willing to cut you a deal! We had a scrub massage, Turkish bath and massage, full body massage and facial treatment all for £35 each! Also watch out for JIMMY (mentioned in reviews already we noted) as he comes around promoting local boat trips and also a fantastic Chinese restaurant in Bodrum, more of that later.

Yes, as you will have read in the many reviews below, there are steps and plenty of them but go there expecting it, we did so it wasn’t a surprise – the resort is carved out of the side of a hill, so it is hilly and steep but it’s great for your calves! That said, there are plenty of lifts and escalators so it is not really a problem. There is also a lift that takes you down the hill to the ‘beach’ – no sand but an extremely pleasant sunbathing area on a large pontoon. Loads to do down there too with some fun water sports – free canoeing but charges for everything else – you will soon discover that the Turkish way is to barter for everything so don’t be afraid to haggle!

Maybe it was the week we went, with everything running down as they were due to close for the winter, so the food was a little bit samey – it was though good quality and in abundance and with the all-inclusive there is the possibility that you could eat all day (the snack bar serving pizza, toasted sandwiches, burgers and chips, salads and pasta was open from 12-5). The drinks on the all-inclusive were local wine (which you could strip your walls with – it was awful), Tuborg beer, local spirits and local soft drinks (including Pepsi) – all exported drinks are charged for.

Bodrum is only 15 minutes away and there is loads to do there – the hotel runs a free shuttle bus 3 times a day – make sure you book your place at Reception in advance. We got a bit bored with the hotel food so decided to try one of Jimmy’s ‘promotions’ – the Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant in Bodrum Marina, next door to Marks & Spencer’s (yes, that’s right, the smallest M&S you will ever come across!). The restaurant runs a free taxi service there and back, and it was the best Chinese food we have had in ages – that coupled with superb service, a common feature in Turkey we found, made it a fantastic evening, so much so we went two nights running! Would definitely recommend going there and if you do, look out for AKYOL, an amazing waiter, whose self taught English puts us to shame, and his knowledge of English football is quite unbelievable – what a pity he supports Newcastle!

This was our second trip to Turkey this year having been to Lykia World in Olu Deniz over the summer with our 4 kids. If we had the choice again, we would definitely go to Lykia World and would recommend that any time, though Kervansaray comes a close second.

We arrived at the hotel early in the morning, hotel looked nice until we were taken to our room. Approaching our I noticed we had been allocated one of the worst rooms in the hotel. Once in the room things got worse. We had no balcony, and we were not advised of this before booking the holiday with Direct Holidays, the bathroom hadn’t been updated since the early 90s, bathroom door had been punched in and just left with two large holes in.

We asked if we could be moved rooms but we weren’t allowed, reception staff were terrible and didn’t help at all.

Food at the hotel was bad, not a wide variety to chose from and even when there was something that looked nice it was horrible. So we decided to eat out must of the time, even though it was £18 in a taxi into Bodrum city centre, as the hotel was that far away from anything.

There is nothing within walking distance of the hotel, as there is a large motor way leading into Bodrum right outside the hotel, so you can’t even go for a walk any where.

The rooms were cleaned daily, but bedding was always stained and so were the towels, curtains the room had stains all over as did the chairs.

Cleaner decided to leave the window wide open in our room so anyone could have came in and stole our belongings, as did she leave her key in the door so anyone could of getting into the room. Even after putting the do not disturb sign
up she still came in the room at 7:30 on a morning.

There was hardly any selection of drinks to chose from and the night time entertainment was hideous, so we decided to have a early night most nights.

On our last day we weren’t getting picked up till after 12 mid night but had to be out of our room at 12 mid day, after asking to keep the room on at a charge of £30 we were later advised we weren’t allowed to keep the room on so we had to sit around the hotel all day.

I shall never be going back to this hotel nor will I be booking a holiday with Direct Holidays or Thomas Cook, after being ripped off of £850 for a week for me and my partner.

This hotel is defiantly not a 4* more a 3* at the most.

We arrived in the early hours of 13th October, off to a bad start as reception had forgotten to give us the electricity card so we were ringing reception at 3 in the morning for assistance, the porter who had driven us to our room at breakneck speed wouldn't leave until we had given him a tip. The room itself was spotless, fresh towels and sheets every day, the only problem I had with the 'bungalow' was it was down by the main gate and a good walk to the main building. The food was OK, as previous guests have said, there was always something you could eat and plenty of it and you could eat and drink at practically any time of the day, there were always snacks available. We didn't go down by the pool much as it was noisy and even though it was mid-October, pretty crowded at times. There are loads of areas where there are sunbeds so it's possible to find somewhere nice and quiet if that's what you wanted. If it rained at all the lift down to the pier went off and you had to climb the 200 steps to the top. The entertainment was very limited, there were two singers each night by the pool bar who were good but their repertoire was limited. The staff were courteous but speak little English. I would definitely go back again, we had a lovely relaxing holiday. One word of advice about the duty free shop in the airport, we bought aftershave for our son which cost us £44 and discovered that we could have bought the same one in Boots at home for £35, so be careful, everything you buy in duty free is not a bargain!!

Just got back from a week at the KERVANSARAY RESORT in Bodrum. We stayed in the appartments rather than the hotel itself - the room was lovely and spacious though soon to start and need a little TLC - the resport was idillic.
Great views over the sea .
There was a road near by, but that wasn't a problem as the main pool and other actvities were away from there.
The salon in the hotel was a great place to go for a sauna and have a Turkish bath - be sure to haggle over the prices!
The market is in Bodrum on a Tuesday and Thursday with regular bus service from hotel (any colour bus) to the bus stop in town (yellow bus back) for about 2 lira each person each way. Haggle haggle haggle and then walk away - they soon come running back to you to agree your price!!!!!!
Would go back there without a shadow of a doubt!
Water park/Beauty salon/in house photographer/internet/jewlery and clothes shop/small gift shop/resturant and snack bar/gym.