We've just returned from the Karbel and had a fantastic holiday. There are 3 Karbel's in Olu Deniz. Hotel Karbel (locally called the big Karbel - which is where we stayed), Karbel Sun, which is directly across the road and Karbel Beach which as it suggests is very close to the beach. This confused us initially on the reviews.
The Karbel is about 10 minute walk to beach walking down main strip which has shops, bars and restaurants. At the bottom of this road is the beach road which then contains more bars and restaurants. If you turn right at the end and continue walking for approx another 10-15 mins you then get to the lagoon. We used the main beach most days, went to the main lagoon beach once, which was worth doing but food and drink facilites were very basic. We then stumbled upon Sugar Beach club which is a fantastic private beach owned by the same guy who owns Help Bar on the beach front. We called them and they came to hotel within 2 mins to pick us up and also took us back. This place is amazing and we have planned to marry here. It is in the bay of the lagoon, very shallow water (fish ate bread out of our hands), plenty of sunbeds, gazebo areas with cushions, hammocks and a great restaurant. They play chilled out music all day - worth a visit!
For us The Hotel Karbel was a good base, we don't enjoy sitting in hotel bar or around pool, but both did look absolutely fine. We were B&B but ate at hotel twice - once was Buffet which was fantastic, great choice, very welll presented and fantastic service from waiting team at 22 lira (but you get 10% off if you book 3 meals - we didn't feel the need as there are so many different restaurants to sample - but if you do you can use your 3 to go to Turkish/BBQ or Sunday Dinner nights too). We also ate A la carte one night which was good if you like meat - a huge menu and the food was really good. Breakfast, we found was superb - I did get fed up of hearing Brits moaning that there was no bacon. If your holiday does revolve around an English breakfast then you can pay extra for other food - but we didn't feel the need. Breakfast consisted of unlimited: fresh bread (and they have a toast machine for you to use), coffee, tomatoes, boiled eggs (scrambled and omellettes twice in the week), melon, cucumber, variety of cheese, variety of cold meats, variety of pastries and rolls, jam and a huge variety of more food.
Our room was INCREDIBLEY basic and quite small, but this was fine as we just slept and showered here. We did notice that some other rooms were much bigger. The rooms are in blocks - block 1 nearest pool and block 9 furthest from pool/reception. Each block is in a gardened area which is very well kept. We had daily maid service and bedding/towels changed twice a week. On that note - there was only a bottom sheet and then a cross between a sheet/throw which I found uncomfortable to use as a sheet - personal thing. Our room was very dark, which was a blessing as it stayed cool. The patio (we were on ground floor) was tiny, as were the balconies - no table, just 2 chairs, but again looked onto gardens. We were woken quite a few nights by late arrivals, which can't be helped, but did wake us with suitcases being dragged - nothing you can do about that though. Rooms also had mini fridge, TV and free air con.
The staff at hotel were all very helpful and VERY polite and made it seem as though they really did value your custom. The hotel also had hair dressers, nail salon and a super market attached. You pay £1 per day for safety deposit box behind reception and the whole hotel felt very safe.
We are getting married in Olu Deniz next year, we are staying at Oyster Residences as they are very special for honey moon, but I will certainly recommend The Karbel to my family and friends - which must say alot!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.