Overall a nice hotel, but the management needs to be improved, specifically general manager Tarik.
Be wary that things may not go as planned, and double-check the room type you reserved…
I felt like I was in a poorly written comedy…
The bad:
We are Hilton Gold members and were shocked to be treated the way we were as if we booked via a sketchy booking site. We booked a panoramic sea view room and woke up to having a tiny sliver of a view.
Exhausted from a long day of traveling and checking in late at night, we didn’t immediately notice that this was not the room we had booked; it was a lower room type than what we reserved. The price for the panoramic sea view was higher than the room we received. The view we got: trees and the lawn (picture #1).
What made us irked: the general manager completely disregarded the situation, considering we were now placed into the room overpaying €500+. The front desk staff was kind enough to offer compensation, but the general manager backtracked most of the comps. We were promised a complimentary dinner (which we had- thank you). Yet, there was backtracking on the promised “free alcohol” during dinner & a complimentary bottle of wine that we never received in our room. The manager ignored the multiple attempts to resolve this issue, never getting back to us. While exploring the property, Tarik blatantly ignored us. Is this a way to treat your guests? An apology would have been acceptable as the bare minimum- yet we did not even receive any words or actions from Tarik to make things right.
Upon checking out, the reception staff noted our remarks. Still, we were disappointed that we were being asked to elevate our review when asked about the overall stay. Having an early flight, we did not have the time to thoroughly reiterate our comments and concerns. Seems convenient that the GM/whoever was on duty (not the receptionist) only wanted to “resolve things” upon closing the bill… (meaning us retelling the whole situation to most likely being ignored and disregarded).
Apart from the points mentioned above, some minor details caught my attention. There was no wine/bottle opener in the room and only one wine glass. The next night, the wine glasses disappeared and weren’t restocked. Secondly, on the final night, within 2 hours, there were 6 flying ants consistently reappearing on the bed.
If you’ll lounge on the jetties, know your order may not arrive. We ordered drinks (water and iced tea) on a scorching day. Only an hour later, the staff came over to ask if we still wanted the drinks. While the system is great for placing orders, there is virtually no identification for how the staff should find their customers. A tiny inscription on the QR plaque that many would have ignored entirely indicates the sunbed number. I assume these QR plaques are also placed in a random order. Quite disorganized.
With the fiasco with the room and the way the GM treated us, it was a slight annoyance to find out that the Frankie Beach Club was closed for a private event. I wish we were told in advance as it was one of the amenities we were looking forward to enjoying.
The good:
It is heartbreaking to give such a review knowing how hard the rest of the team works, specifically Efe, Merve Bilir, and others.
The property itself is spacious and well-integrated with the greenery. There are quite a few jetties for guests to enjoy the sun and the water.
The spa was delightful! Get the hammam treatment. Very relaxing and feels like you’re born again. The ladies who attended us were very kind and knew what they were doing. The treatment was probably one of the only experiences that went smoothly from start to finish. (And it’s under a different management company than the hotel- which I attribute to the success of the experience.)
The food has been fantastic, living up to the expectations. The flavor quality and execution were a highlight of this trip, ranging from the luxurious local breakfast spreads to fine dining.
We had a rest in August 22. The hotel is quiet, secluded, with beautiful views of the sea and mountains, clean, luxury. So unusual for Turkey. There are almost no children, we were on vacation with a child and for the first time we did not get sick in Turkey. The pools are clean. The hotel has 2 swimming pools. One on the roof, near the restaurants, with stunning views of the sea and mountains. Quiet, calm, we were almost always alone there. The second one is near the sea, there are parties, drinks, music, dancing.
The food is amazing. There is no menu in Russian, we chose it with a translator on the phone. But even if you don't translate, randomly choose a dish and you won't lose! Everything is delicious. The main Ezi and Malva restaurants have a children's menu, but a small one. There are also many things for children to choose from the main menu. There is no children's menu at the pool restaurant, and everything is spicy there.
We took it for breakfast, bought additional dinners on the spot ($ 63 per person per day). Lunches and dinners on average cost 800 liras per person. The staff at the restaurants is attentive and customer-oriented. Waitress Giza is a sunny girl, always with a smile, attention, prompt! We loved her.
At dinner at the Ezi restaurant, sometimes there was a problem - they cooked for a long time, in the evening the kitchen could not cope and the waiter was only one with an assistant.
The breakfasts are amazing. Also on the menu. Take what you want and as much as you want.
The reception staff is very attentive. We come from the city by taxi, they meet us, open the door, sort out the cost with the taxi driver, it's so nice! All issues are resolved promptly.
Our room was small, overlooking the garden, the sea is very close, and the place is quiet, as we wanted. The bathroom in the room is huge, with two sinks, a bathtub with panoramic windows. The tea in the room is very tasty, coffee, sweets! Disposable cups, you can make tea and coffee and go to the sea, meet the dawn. We were also greeted with a sweet surprise. And there are beach flip-flops for the whole family in the room right away. There are rooms with pools, very beautiful.
The concept of the hotel is as if you are the most important guest. The rest is at the European level and even better. Quiet, calm, without fuss and without any rules. I came for breakfast at 7 a.m. or 11 a.m., as is convenient. We swim in the pool at 8 a.m. or 10 p.m., as you like. This is the first time I've seen this, it's really like at home, do what you like.
There is a gym, tennis, spa.
The sea! Different shades, from turquoise to blue. Piers, they have 4 sun beds at most. Sometimes we were all alone on the pier. There is a family beach with sand, there are a few more sun beds, but they are always free. There is a bar nearby with drinks and food can be ordered. The entrance to the sea is also from the pier.
There is also a pier near the party pool. There are more people, music, comfortable beds, deck chairs. And a beautiful view of the sea.
There is no sandy beach with a gentle entrance. Only the entrances from the piers, from the stairs. There was not enough place where you can just stand in the sea. You do not need to carry towels with you. They are lying on the sun beds in sufficient numbers.
Music in the restaurant in the evening.
If you want a quiet holiday, with magnificent views, delicious food and a luxurious atmosphere, go to the Susona Hotel.