Iberostar Tropical

hi just got back.weather was hot.views from appartment are to die for.very steep and lots of steps.appartments very basic and need up dateing,but clean.entertainment-3 shows in aweek.once you have had tea about 7.30,there is lots of activities to do for adults.food-well ill leave it up to you,but this is the reason we would never return.my 7year old son ate bread,dry pasta and dry rice in a week.as well as filling him up with sweets and crisps from shop. which were very expensive.i now its turkey but most of the food was warm ups from day before,with something sprinkled on top,like cornflakes on ribs.been to turkey many times and loved food.got talking to a turkish man and he even said food was rubbish and it was not proper turkish food.mozzies,wasps and flys are a big problem.we took vit b1 and used sprays and still keept geting bit.you cant eat without them being all over you and the food.beach-lovely,food cold.went on 12 island trip with SARİGERME TOUR was fantastic and would reccomend.you take many stops for a swim, go to pancake beach and have dinner on boat.out allday for 15 pound.even cheaper if you take your voucher of internet.

What more can I say, excellent. We had 11 great nights here at Holiday Village, Turkey - we were based on the Blue side and were more than happy with the accommodation, food and refreshments. With 3 kids under 6 it was the ideal holiday, they loved the food and the entertainment was fantastic, it's the first holiday in 5 years that both myself and my husband were able to relax around the pool and beach with the kids as there were lots of things going on to keep them entertained. Only down side was the "specialist" restaurants, we tried to get in nearly every eaving and only managed a reservation on our last night - what a disappointment. We booked into the Italian restaurant, the food was cold and the portions were not too big.
Overall excellent holiday, would definately go back to this village.

Just come back from Holiday Tropical last week. This hotel was superb couldn't fault anything and i am fussy. It was clean and lovely surroundings. Was given a jacuzzi suite when we arrived which was a free upgrade. Staff work very hard keeping place clean. Was really pleased we were in this hotel as the Pegasus Palace was like Butlins, kids everywhere and it was literally full.
Food - Lots of choice but not always suitable for us English. Obviously no bacon or pork. No real cuts of beef or lamb. Lots of salad selection, bread, cakes, chip/potatoes, and plenty of pasta and stews.
Had a Turkish bath and massage cost £55 for me and my son for 90 mins. Very nice.
Went on mud bath trip which we booked in local village, literally second shop on the left hand side. Well worth it as had so much fun, visiting the mud bath, watching massive loggerhead turtles… much better booked this way than through reps in the hotel. Cost £14 per adult and half price for children and a lovely lunch was included. The guide (Ken), full of knowledge and sense of humour.
Local market on Sunday in village but be prepared to haggle as they start off really high trying to suss you out. Got Victoria Beckham , Armani, and D&G jeans for £9 each. T shirts 6 for £10 all good fakes. You have to be firm with stallholders as they do pester you.
Only negative thing is we all got bitten even though used repellent frequently.
One tip Dalaman Airport is so expensive for drinks and food. When you check in, go down to exit and outside across the road there is a cafe for the coach drivers that anyone can use. Very cheap and good.
Pools and slides are good but water cold maybe in summer is warmer due to weather.
I would visit this hotel again but not in the near future as we like to try out new places.

This huge complex is split between Tropical and Palace hotels, known as the Holiday Village.
Booked last min and what a deal. Stayed in the Tropical Hotel which has mixed nationals more to my liking. Hotel very spacious and ever so clean huge main pool area with slides, between two hotels must be about twelve pools.
Able to use all facilities of both hotels even though wrist band for Tropical is blue and Palace red. Palace Hotel is British holidaymakers only!
Not one to wake at 7 for sunbed but we always managed to get sunbeds even at 1pm when we had surfaced. Only made breakfast once was ok but main meals excellent lots of choice something for all.
Snacks served at main pool areas and beach bars but lunch also served in main restaurant which was great. Happy to serve more than one drink also at bars even give out trays. Liked the idea of vending machines dotted around complex, water juice coffee tea etc so could always get a drink whatever the time.
Staff very friendly resort very well kept no problems re hygiene, only downside was when it came to meals so hot couldn’t sit outside (did try once but mossies attacked) so everyone wanted to sit inside which becomes a problem trying to find a table.
However staff work very hard trying to keep on top of this clearing tables very quickly and re-setting but it became a chore knowing it was going to be a struggle. Tried different times but always seemed a problem, however wouldn’t stop me from returning to this hotel.
Wanted a relaxing holiday and that’s what we got, didn’t bother with entertainment happy with drink and new company, never encountered any bad behaviour once patio doors shut all outside noise ceased.
Really enjoyed this break. Did go on excursion booked from Sarigerme tours excellent value, cheaper than holiday company prices really enjoyed the twelve islands cruise, Emre and adnan were brilliant . It wasn’t a booze cruise type trip mostly families few couples but very relaxing son loved it.
All in all had a great time only lost points re the dining situation (but it was August peak time).

We stayed here on the Orange side (Hotel Tropical) from 11th to 25th July on our first ever all inclusive holiday and first time in Turkey. It was fantastic and we will definitely go to another Holiday Village and will also come back here very soon.
The hotel is brilliant. Rooms are big. Staff are friendly and the cleanliness is superb - the maids do a great job in the room and whether you are in the buffet restaurant or around a pool the staff are always keeping it tidy. As soon as your plate is finished with someone removes it. Litter is swept up and empty glasses are taken away. (Puts our local Morrisons & Tesco to shame - dirty dishes are on tables for ever!) Every few days our chambermaid left a towel on the bed in the shape of a star with flower petals arranged around it, or one in the shape of a love-heart! Needless to say I left her a good tip - she deserved it.
Because it's all-inclusive the room does not have any tea or coffe making facilities. If, like us, you like a late night drink or early morning cuppa then do as we did - take a small travel kettle which boils enough water for 2 mugs. It was a godsend!
The buffet restaurant food is lovely. So much to choose from and such a high standard. Chefs are continually cooking more of it right in front of you. Don't listen to those people who moan about the food - if they want boring British food all the time they should go to Blackpool not Turkey.
If you want to eat at one of the a la carte restaurants you need to book it (near dining room entrance) on the day, detween 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. The Italian is the most popular and you need to be queuing at 8:00 to get a table. We tried all 3. The Asian restaurant, despite being called The Taj Mahal, is actually Chinese not Indian! They make a change from the buffet and although the food is good the choice of main courses is very limited. I enjoy a good spag. bol. but the Italian doesn't offer it - you have to choose from 2 pasta dishes, 2 pizza dishes, veal or chicken. Of the 3 we enjoyed the Turkish best.
On our last evening it was our 20th wedding anniversary so I wanted to make it special. We went to the Italian and I asked for the wine list, thinking that a bottle of bubbly would be nice. What a shock!! The champagne is 600 lira (£260) and the average bottle of wine is 70 lira (£30). Needless to say we opted for the free house wine!
Please do not be fooled by the First Choice reps constantly telling you not to book excursions in the village. They tell you that the local village tour agents are not insured but it is a LIE. We had 2 fantastic days out booked with BASKET TOURS at half the First Choice price. The Basket Tours rep Mohammed speaks excellent English and is a a genuine warm and friendly guy. (When I left my hat on a dolmus he helped me get it back!) Our tour guides Ali and Ken were brilliant too. Trips to the mud baths and Fethiye market were in big air-conditioned coaches.
The local people are really friendly and some of the market stall
holders are a laugh."Cheap as chips", "Cheaper than Oxfam" and one even said "Cheaper than shoplifting!"
Yes we had a few mozzie bites but that is normal anywhere that's hot.
Only downside was we bought so much Turkish Delight and spice gift sets at the markets that we went over our baggage allowance and had to pay £45 extra so they were expensive presents!! All in all a fabulous holiday. We'll be back!

Check in was prompt and efficient, everthing ready for us even though we didn't arrive until 4am. At that time there were no lights on so in order to get to our room we had to use our mobile as a light, but we got there in the end!
Room was lovely, very clean, looked brand new. Air Con in bedroom and living area. Bathroom first class with a jaccuzzi bath which was excellent! Don't put too much shampoo in the jets as you end up filling the bathroom with foam!! Well laid out balcony area with modern table and chairs. You also received 2 complimentary bottles of water everyday. The TV showed sky sports, sky news, all BBC & ITV channels.
3 themed restaurants, we only ate at the Taj Mahal which sounds Indian but was more of a chinese theme but very nice. The buffet restaurant at night had a varied selection of food and there wasn't something that we didn't like. Had seperate sections for starters, main meals and sweets. Breakfast was good and was open until 11am with a limited selection from 10 until 11. Ice cream also available from beach bar.
Numerous bars, service was quick and efficient. Their local beer, Efes was really nice, but you could have becks or fosters if you preferred. Local spirits and wine were also ok but branded spirits were also available but at a charge.
Entertainment was on all day, something for everyone. Yoga, football, water polo, darts etc. Well run and supervised.
Hotel was beautifully laid out with landscape gardens which were well maintained. To get to the beach you had to walk through a covered pergola.
Pool area was really nice, loads of sunbeds available and shaded areas if required. Most days it was 45 degrees!
The beach was sandy but quite dirty however, it was ok. There was also sunbeds and umbrellas available. You could windsurf, paraglide, go on a banana boat and ringo but you had to pay for these. Very reasonable. The beach bar was only a short walk away so you weren't too far away from your beer.
We only went on one trip – the 12 islands trip – with Basket Tours. It was superb! The guide was very nice and the views and sights we saw were amazing. It cost us £14 per person, with our 2 year old going free. If we had booked this with First Choice, then it would have cost us £21.
Staff were extremly friendly and helpful. Overall, a lovely hotel and would recommend it to anyone

1 reader found this review helpful

Hi just returned from 2 weeks at the First Choice Holiday Village Sarigerme. My wife and 2 daughters (4+6) had a great time.
I will try to give the best summary I can split over a number of areas where we had both good and bad experiences. Anyone reading can then draw their own conclusions given some of the variety of feedbacks given in on this site.
Complex 10/10
This is a wonderful complex with a mix of beautiful gardens, 17 swimming pools nested around the apartments. The site used to be two hotels which now operate as one large complex. Orange and Blue denotes the side you are staying however you are free to mix either side for food and entertainment. We were based on Orange which did seem newer and more upmarket. I think it was originally build for the Germans as the apartments, communal areas and style cleanliness were superb.
However be warned, this site does cater for 3500 people and with approx 1000 staff it is not a quiet retreat and at peak times the full effect of converging 3500 people into restaurants, pools and entertainment results in queues, queues and more queues (see below).
Joy Hotel, Rooms and Staff 10/10
The hotel complex is run by Joy Group who own a number of hotels in Turkey. They were absolutely fantastic, this is on of the cleanest hotels I have stayed in worldwide. Rooms are cleaned daily with clean sheets, towels and beds made. Flowers were left for our two daughters daily by the maids and the hotel reception staff cannot do more to help.
Restaurant 5/10
This is where the site is let down. Food preparation and hygine looked very good. Everything is on display to be seen and all staff work as if in the army with the head chief watching over. All staff wore aprons, hygiene gloves and all food was kept under cover until needed.
However with 3500 people to feed results in a school dinners cenario at breakfast and dinner. Tables could not be cleared quick enough and you have to queue for drinks, food, bread etc etc. Service from the waiters was too good with either your table being cleared and re-occupied by the time you get your food ! To your meal being wisked away too early. However at least they were trying to clear the plates away as quick as possible.
I have read about some stomach bugs etc ? We did hear of some going around but were told this was due to the pools (more later) and not the food which was varied and plentiful, a mix of what a turk may think a westerner abroad may want to eat (Hmmm). Most of it was English derived, salads, lamb, beef, chicken, vegetables. Plenty of variety and all cooked very well. We did not have any ill effects of the food and eat in the main restaurant and the pool side bars each day.
Bars (3/10) and Entertainment (9/10)
Although all inclusive the larger is watered down and the drinks limited to a number of shorts. However the main gripe is that evening, meal time and day at most of the bars there were queues. Especially in the evenings at the entertainment centers x2 with bars x2 with bar staff x3 with thirsty customers x3500 !!
Sometimes the queues were 20 to 30 long which resulted in a few cross words where people started to queue jump. Bets time was to get a drink whilst the entertainment was on !
The entertainment was excellent, run by the reps and a different theme each night. Not broadway but a very high standard of entertainment for adults and kids. Generally kids disco followed by cabaret or musical.
Both auditoriums for entertainment get busy quickly so finding a seat is a task to behold. There were problems whilst we were there with kids and laser pens which were being sold on the colmplex from the market shops. This was particularly bad in the auditoriums as the kids would sit at the back and dazzle both dancers and singers. Even saw some adults doing it, no brains !! This quietened down in our second week but if you go don’t buy your kids these lasers they are dangerous and a bloody nuisance.
Pools (10/10)
The main topic of talk each day. The pools are fantastic with plenty of choice and wonderfull waterslides. We tended to stay around the orange side kids water slide pool. Three excellent slides and water that is about 80cm deep to 1m. Most pools were being cleaned each evening and looked in good order each morning.
A lot of people refer to the pools as the cause of ear infections however it’s the hot climate combined with not drying ears after being in the pools that leads to nice damp warm places to bread bacteria (inner ear). We treated our kids each evening to a few drops of Swim Ear with helps to disperse water and dry the ear out, no problems and a lesson learnt from last year in Cyprus where we all go ear infections.
In some of the main pools which were very busy we heard of some disgusting goings on from parents telling their kids to urinate in the pool to a group of teenagers thinking it very clever to defecate in the water on their last day which resulted in the two main pools being closed twice. Not the fault of the resort or hygiene of the pools but irresponsible holiday makers who should know better.
Sunbeds (1/10)
You go on holiday for a rest and relax which is exactly what you get a t 7.30 each morning lying on your sunbed in order to reserve it for the day. This was something we learnt after three days of wandering around with no where to sit or shade. Any towels left on the beds (unattended) before 9.00am were generally removed, especially around the main pools. Resulting action is lots of people out early to get their pitch for the day. No mater how much you detest these actions upon reading this it’s a case of put up or shut up. Not enough sun beds for everyone !! You get towels each day again after queuing to be told that they have run out !! However you need these towels the evening before in order to get the beds. If you don’t enter into the great sun bed race each morning your day will be severely limited to lying on the towel on the grass.
Reps + Tours (6/10)
Didn’t have much to do with the reps on this holiday other than laugh at the ridiculous prices they charge for the tours (commission, commission). We booked our tours through Sarigerme Tours, mentioned a lot in these feedbacks and worthy of every penny. Oz who runs the tours and his boyz work very hard to give you a wonderful day. Adana who took us on the mud baths and turtle watch was just fantastic. We then went Quad biking (not the kids) up in the mountains and to deserted beaches wonderful.
The local Turks were wonderful. Some of the most friendly people I have come across, even in the market where haggling over 50p was enjoyable and done with a smile.
These guys give you the moneys worth, 1/3 the price of first choice and none of the irritating diamond, leather factories that First Choice take you round (the bit they fail to tell you when you book with First Choice).
Look up Oz on http://www.sarigermetour.net/ and book with confidence. Take the mini bus from the main gate 1lira to the bottom of the village high street and Oz can be found first shop on the right.
Tips
-Sarigerme Tours for all excursions
-Watch the exchange rates for lira, take British pound its used everywhere.
-Be prepared to queue for most things at the village
-Get up early for a sun bed !
-Swim Ear each day to dry the ears.
Summary
We had a great holiday, Turkey was fantastic and the locals wonderful and friendly. The village was remarakle place 80% the best you will ever come across on any holiday. Once you ajust to the Queues and the Sun Beds and the busy hussle bussel of at meal times the downside of the 20% becomes irrelevant (almost). We wont go back to Sarigerme Village Resort on the basis that its just too big despite its wonderful setting and complex. We will go back to Sarigerme but try Fetiya or Oladaniz.

We thought the Holiday Village was fantastically clean, food excellent and accommodation fab!!
We took our 2 daughters (13 and 10) and they did thoroughly enjoy themselves although for us (the adults) we felt it was a bit like ground hog day towards the end!! Up to 10/11 days we could have coped..........However I think this is a combination of things.
Our main problems we felt, that there was not so much to do in this area although it is easy to get to Sarigerme by bus, taxi or on foot (although with in excess of 50deg we were not likely to walk!!) We did however have the saving grace of getting out of the complex with Sarigerme Tours. We were most impressed by the professionalism and fun we had with this company. We did the 12 island and the mud bath/turtle beach and they were both good value for money and alot of fun. Adnan, Emre and Ercan were our guides and they were all fab. Mind you the captain of the boat (braveheart) was the best !!!!! Especially when he left one mooring and I realised my husband and the girls were still exploring out of sight........don't worry I shouted loudly enough, and he got a fellow captain to go and collect them on a little speed boat so they got the best deal!!
The turkish people are very friendly and love the kids.......our native Brits not so kind, some people would have 2 sunbeds, one by the main pool and one somewhere else - down right rude and unfair - and what is it with the fact your on holiday and have to get up just as early as when your not, to get a sunbed!!
We got fed up with eating full stop the food is soooo good and if you are lucky and have exposed your kids to always try new things you won't have a problem. Was not so keen on the italian on site and preferred the main restaurant.
We, as a family have all been unwell since coming home - my youngest did have earache a week in but if I was to take them swimming for 6 hours a day here every day I'm sure they would too!! I do not balme the holiday village though, it could be the recycled air on the plane(200 peoples bugs!!) or the persistent use of aircon on holiday or just the fact that we left a country at 50 deg and came home to 17 deg!! My husband and I have had sinus / chest inf but that is more likely the flights / aircon! All said and done we had a fab time and it was value for money - would we go there again - no, only because life is too short and too many places in the world to see before we die!! We would go to turkey again and prob not do the all inclusive as we like to have breakkie when we wake and not by a certain time! Have fun cos you will enjoy it if you have a family

Hi Everyone,
We went to the holiday village and on arrival we were greeted with drinks and the reps at the hotel were very friendly and helpful. The hotel was beautiful and the room seemed very clean. We have been on a number of holidays and this was the cleanest room we have stayed in.
There was a TV in our room with satellite where you can get most of the freeview programmes, which is a good job as during our stay myself and my daughter came down with stomach upsets. I was in bed for 5 days and I am still recovering (20.8.2008). My daughter went down with it first within 2 to 3 days of us arriving at the hotel. By the 4th day I was also being ill and was so bad that I had to stay in bed. Don't get me wrong the place is lovely and had I been well we would have had a wonderful holiday. As it turned out my wife spent most of her time looking after the kids whilst I stayed in the room.
The food I did manage to eat was fine but they tend not to cover food very well and there are flies about in the restaurants. The entertainment was excellent in the evenings and the kids are well catered for with clubs during the day which are part of the holiday package and you can also pay extra for evening club, three pound 50 per child which is good value if you need a break.
There was a bit of a problem with the restaurant though. Beware not to leave your plate unguarded as it will be whisked away (even if there is still food on it which you intend to eat). There seems to be no system there so many of the table staff may try to whip the plate from under your nose. In reality this is not a huge problem though.
When we reported the illness to the rep we were informed that it was only over the period that we had been staying at the hotel that there was a higher number than usual of incidents of sickness and Diarrhoea and very few reports of gastroenteritis. Having read other reviews it does appear that they have been aware of the problem at least since sometime in July. To our knowledge there were a number of people being ill in the hotel to varying degree and there were some hospitalisations. I didn't find out about this until after my 5 days in bed.
All in all if the illness could be eradicated then you will have a good holiday. I would have liked to have but there you go.

myself and my boyfriend went all inclusive and i would reccommend it to anyone with kids, food was lovely and there was always fresh fruit and deserts were out of this world. we went horseriding £ 25 for us both booked it in serigarme we rode through the cotton fields and went to a ranch well worth it als went on a trip to the 12 islands spent the whole day and my boyfriend even caught a fish which the captain cooked and ate ! the hotel is very impressive but there is not lot to do so i would advise the trips . the market at fethia was £ 3 to go for the day and the fake stuff we bought was brilliant. we stayed in the jacuzzi suite which was lovely my boyfreind got holiday tummy but apart from that it was amazing there are 3 resteraunts which you can book and pay for we went to the steak house which is surrounded by water and is the most rmantic place i heve ever eaten in, we had a mixed grill which was perfect and it was not very expensive you must visit this if you go there. all staff are friendly and we would definately go back