Raga Aparthotel

5 readers found this review helpful

I was apprehensive about what sort of accomodation I was going to get but was really surprised. These apartments are family run and they cannot do enough for you. The apartments were old but really clean, the maid came every day and was really cheerful. The pool was quite small but this was never a problem because you are so close to the beach not everyone wanted to be by the pool, we always got sunbeds (and there were 5 of us!). The food was really cheap and good at the apartments.
What I really enjoyed was how peaceful the location was, close to the beach but away from hustle and bustle. We enjoyed walking into Side along the beach in the evenings (about a 15 min stroll). Everything was so convenient, supermarkets, side market, dolmus stop and restaurants are within minutes. The post office and public telephones are right next door.
This was a really cheap holiday for us, the most we paid for eating out was £60 for 5 of us, including drinks. This was by the harbour where the prices are inflated.
We met some of the people who had put their reviews on in previous years, some were on their 6th visit!!
The only recommendation I would have is if you can try and go in May/June or September as it was 50 degrees at midday in August which was too hot to go out and about to see the beautiful sights around.

1 reader found this review helpful

If you want a spotlessly clean apartment in a peaceful location near shops, restaurants and the beach, then Raga is ideal. Have just returned from my 4th holiday here in 6 years and the Musharrif family are welcoming, helpful and maintain the highest standards of Turkish hospitality. Alternatively, if you need crowds, noise, full-volume music,24 hour entertainment and "grazing".............don't spoil this little bit of "heaven"

3 readers found this review helpful

I like a lot more holiday makers who stayed at raga at the same period as ourselves have unfortunately not countered some of the detrimental comments that had us extremely worried about holidaying at raga for two weeks. I will start by saying that raga never have tried to be 5 star and is not . On arrival , my wife and I were very concerned due to the very poor comments we had read, but were very soon in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere which has been created by the owners . The rooms are yes basic, but they were spotless and served us well . The pool area was always cleaned daily by the staff who never seemed to be off duty more than a few hours and who had a great attitude to us throughout our stay . While trying meals at various other venues we found that we ended up eating at raga for most of the time, the food being first class and the staff very attentive. I must add that the aquarius opposite came a very good choice for a change, but I am sad to say that some of the beach restaurants left a little to be desired. If you want a good value holiday with friendly owners and staff, a relaxed atmosphere where you can just read and chill out then we fully recommend raga . If you want 5 star , manic night life etc then dont go here, just pay the extra and book elsewhere. See you raga in 09 and thankyou.

3 readers found this review helpful

My family and I have returned from yet another great & relaxing holiday at Raga, we have been going there for 6 years & over the last couple of years have introduced some of our friends, who like us, have had a fabulous time!
The owners, waiters, kitchenstaff & housekeepers are second to none, they cannot do enough for you! Infact, our holiday this year went far to quickly!
I agree that you DONT go on holiday to check out and scrutinise every little fault you can find and on doing so, if you had reported it to the owners they would have done their best to rectify the problems.
The apartments are in an ideal location, they are clean & like it has been said, you get what you pay for, they are close to the beach and Side old town is a short stroll along the beach, the people are friendly, restaurants serve good cheap food & drink, if you are thinking of holidaying in Side, I have NO hesitation in recommending the Raga.
See you all NEXT year, hopefully for 3 weeks!

2 readers found this review helpful

If you are looking for a good value, family holiday you cannot go wrong at Raga. However, if you wish to spend two weeks counting weeds, checking the alignment of wardrobes, making observations about the matching (or not) of kitchen cabinet doors, or the gaps around windows, this is not the place for you.
Having visited Raga four years previously I had no hesitation in visiting again, and was not disappointed. Yes, the accomodation is basic, but my wife & three children (ages 16, 12 & 10) were very satisfied and found the whole experience to be relaxing and enjoyable. The cleaner came in six days out of seven (our bins were still emptied on her day off), there was no trouble with flies, ants or mosquitoes.
Air conditioning is a necessity and with basic kitchen equipment the types of meals that could be prepared are limited. But why stay indoors? There are a number of good restaurants nearby, together with shops and water activities available on the beach. The main town of Side is a 15-20 minute walk along the (restaurant & shop-lined) beach, there you will find even more shops and historical sites. Also buses or taxis are easily available to take you to other towns nearby.
With a wealth of nationalities visiting Raga my children had fun around the pool all day, every one got on well and there was a good mix of families there enjoying themselves.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Raga.

2 readers found this review helpful

My family and I have just returned from a 2 week stay in the Raga Apartments and like some of the other guests were a little troubled, having read some less than complimentary reviews, just before our departure. We had a great two weeks and would not hesitate to return to the Raga if we holiday in Side again.
Yes the apartments could perhaps be described as a little basic, but they were spotlessly clean and there was always fresh linen and towels brought by a very cheerful maid, a lot better than some other places I have stayed. Surely you don't go on holiday to spend your time inside your apartment, checking the wardrobe doors to see if they are correctly aligned. I think there are some people who just need something to complain about and maybe should just stay at home!
The pool and bar area was clean and the staff amiable. The atmosphere around the pool was relaxed and friendly and the children of all ages and nationalities mixed well. The managers and staff were always ready to help with any problem and I know they have been upset by the recent negative reviews (some as mentioned, strangeley posted when the Raga was not even open.)
True the Raga does not to provide 5star luxury service and accomodation but this is reflected in the price you pay. It is however a well run apartment complex, clean friendly and good value for money, and totally suited to families.

My family and I have just returned from a 2 week stay in the Raga Apartments and like some of the other guests were a little troubled, having read some less than complimentary reviews, just before our departure. We had a great two weeks and would not hesitate to return to the Raga if we holiday in Side again.
Yes the apartments could perhaps be described as a little basic, but they were spotlessly clean and there was always fresh linen and towels brought by a very cheerful maid, a lot better than some other places I have stayed. Surely you don't go on holiday to spend your time inside your apartment, checking the wardrobe doors to see if they are correctly aligned. I think there are some people who just need something to complain about and maybe should just stay at home!
The pool and bar area was clean and the staff amiable. The atmosphere around the pool was relaxed and friendly and the children of all ages and nationalities mixed well. The managers and staff were always ready to help with any problem and I know they have been upset by the recent negative reviews (some as mentioned, strangeley posted when the Raga was not even open.)
True the Raga does not to provide 5star luxury service and accomodation but this is reflected in the price you pay. It is however a well run apartment complex, clean friendly and good value for money, and totally suited to families.

1 reader found this review helpful

I have just returned from a 2 week stay in Raga Apartments with my husband and two daughters (7 & 5). We had an excellent time and I was initially worried after reading some of the comments before we left but remained open minded. We always travel on a self catering basis and were not disappointed with Raga at all. The accomodation is quite basic but no worse than anywhere we had stayed in the past. If you expect anything more luxurious perhaps you should pay for a higher star rating! The apartments were cleaned 6 days a week and they were spotless upon arrival. The kitchen area and bathroom was clean. The towels (hand and bath towel per person) and sheets were changed regularly as well. The air conditioning was payable locally as stated by Manos and this cost 165 TLira (safety deposit box and 2 weeks air con). You didn't have to have the safety deposit box but I can't remember what the split was now. I thought the gargens were beautiful and full - I would not class them as overcrowded or full of weeds. There is small park area for small children as well. Around the pool area there were trees which provide much needed shade and the flower beds here were full of ground covering plants with pretty flowers - in my opinion! There were plenty sun beds and umbrellas but you did have to put your towel on them by about 8.30 to get a good spot. This is not a fault of Raga, but of all the guests who all want a good spot around the pool - I think this is the same wherever you stay. We ate at Raga a couple of times and went to their Turkish night which was entertaining. The food was good and the bar staff were very good and worked long hours and were always in good humour. There were a couple who's English wasn't that great but then I can't speak any Turkish so I'm not going to complain! Our children had a great time at the pool playing with the other children staying at the apartments - both English and Dutch.
The beach was only a 2-5 minute stroll and excellent for small children - shallow, warm water and lots and lots of sand! You could walk to Side town along the beach in about 15-20 minutes (child's pace!) passing lots of restaurants along the way where you can watch a fantastic sunset. Sunkiss, Truva and Alremu are all excellent. The beach is free and the sunbeds are provided by the restaraunts but they don't charge, however, they do like you to buy drinks but we weren't hassled to buy them. Pegasis was a great place to stop for a drink at the end of the beach near Side town. You can look down at the bay and back along the beach and watch the turtles - the waiter isn't lying!!!

I cannot believe the comments that I have just read on this site from people who were obviously staying at the same time as my family and I and also on the same flight that has just arrived back into Gatwick.
I have just returned from the Raga Apartments in Side with my family. These Apartments are some of the most basic accommodation I have ever stayed in. To call them basic would be an understatement.
Upon arrival, our first impression was of neglect; the gardens and public areas were over grown. Flower beds contained more weeds than flowers. The pool area was shabby lined with dirty sun loungers. The pool was very cloudy and looked dirty.
We were taken to our room in F Block. The first thing we noticed was that windows were missing from the stairway and many of the frames were rotten.
Our room was even worse. The living room contained a basic 3 piece suite covered in a hidious fake leopard skin fabric. The kitchen cabinets did not match, some doors did not shut, one lamp shade was missing and another was damaged. A selection of assorted glasses were laid out on the shelf. The kettle did not work and the fridge was dirty and its seal was broken.
The master bedroom contained a small double wardrobe (doors would not shut), two beds, one had a missing support and rocked when slept on and the fabric was all ripped so that you could see the wooden base. Light fittings were falling off the wall and the door would not shut as the door frame was hanging off with sharp rusty nails sticking out.
The second bedroom was no better, smaller and only had a single wardrobe.
In both rooms, the only hangers were those left behind by previous guests.
The bathroom was clea and functional, but its door had been badly repaired with filler and the tiles around the frame were ragged having been badly cut. The shower area was dirty and the shower curtain/cubicle came undone if you backed into it.
Plaster was coming off the walls and some fell on my head when I shut our bedroom door.
None of the doors to balconies or front door fitted properly with large gaps at the tops and bottoms.
The bar was grotty and few of the staff could speak English. Their food is very good but the slimey waiter made our skin curl. He touched up both my 16 year old daughter and 14 year old son. He gave everybody the creeps.
Avoid this place if you can. Save your money and go somewhere better. Even the Swedish people staying at the Apartments were disappointed. The Thomas Cook Rep was pleased that people were going to complain in the hope that it forced the owner into spending ome money!

Just returned from wonderful two weeks at Raga - a little apprehensive after some of the recent comments, but speak as you find and I have to say these are among the cleanest, friendliest, best kept apartments we have ever stayed in.
NO hassle at all from staff, who were on hand as and when needed nontheless. Maid service daily, fresh bedsheets, towels even loo rolls every morning.
Brilliant location - a short stroll (again hassle free) to the beach, post office & supermarket next door, also independent 'Linda Boot' tour office for your boat trips - manavgat market cruise and waterfalls great value at about 8 quid incl lunch - every mon and thurs, highly recommended.
Sunkiss and Alremu great places to eat & don't miss a stroll or two into town to see the ruins and turtles swimming inshore at dusk (the turtles that is; the ruins barely swam at all...)
Super place. We'll hopefully be back.