Paloma Club Sultan Ozdere

It was mine and my fiancé first holiday together, and we thought that we would try Turkey in the end as we couldn't decide where to go. So like everyone else we read the reviews, some good and some bad, but everyone has different opinions but we liked the look and information about it so we booked.
Flight on time, rep was there to meet us at the other end, got to the hotel and the staff on the reception was very good pleasant, friendly and he could speak English. Our cases were taken to our rooms and we went straight to bed as it was late. I know people in the reviews that I’ve read were talking about the French etc... But we found them very helpful polite and always spoke to us in French just hello and we said it back in their language.

We could not fault anything about this holiday; it was very relaxing, weather was brilliant all the time, very hot. Food was good especially the Italian restaurant plenty to drink and we didn't have to wait, but if we did we wouldn't have minded.
The walk to Ozdere took about 25 minutes and Kusadasi we went on a day trip to the market which was interesting to see how the other people lived. They were very friendly and helpful, even the few shop's at the end of the hotel were ace. They said hi to my partner in English and using his name as I shouted it out! I would highly recommend that you go to the Dolphin show if you always wanted to swim with them - I did and it was amazing something I will always remember.
There were alot of people with children there but all the kids were brilliant, well behaved and you didn't know that they were there. The Rep's were ace and always there when they said they would be, Jo and the team couldn't do any more for you.
All I can say is please give it a try, but go with an open mind we did and we really enjoyed our week there.

Never worth a 4 star rating. Poor drinks, no ice. Poor evening entertainment.
Would not go back if it was free.
Bed linen not changed for a full week. Tour operator said I should have told the rep, if she had been there I would. After all I did not go on holiday to be chasing a rep around to tell her I wanted things that should have come as standard.
Very poor and I doubt I will be booking with this tour operator again.
In its favour there was a decent selection of food, shame it wasn’t hot.

Let me start by saying we have travelled to Turkey on many occasions and always found the accommodations, the staff and most importantly the Turkish people very friendly and helpful. So I am very saddened to write this revue.
We went for a two week break at 4 Star Club Sultan. We ended up having 3 different rooms for varying reasons (listed below)
Room 1: 2708 - Light hanging out of ceiling and not working inside door, reported this (don't know if it got sorted see below). We had booked for a sea view, well we could hear the sea, but all we could view were trees very close to balcony, had to wait 2 days for a move to a room with a sea view.
Room 2: 2906 - We got a sea view, but in return got a particularly nasty smell in the bathroom (best described as stagnant water). There was evidence of long-term problems within the bathroom black damp stains around bath, door frame rotting (where it fitted). Water came from underneath the bath when the bath or shower were used. The smell became worse a couple of hours after the shower or bath had been used so it was fairly obvious the bath wasn't sealed properly. When this was reported it was decided that they do us a favour and would move us again (rather than carry out repairs). So again we had to pack everything and move rooms.
Before we left they had put somebody else in this room obviously without carrying out repairs to the room (poor people I hope they had poor sense of smell for their sake).
Room 3: 3298 - This room was a family room. Right outside the window was a very pretty but loud fountain which operated from 08:00 until 00:00 daily. One bed had to be wedged at one end to stop it wobbling and banging everytime somebody moved. Once again water was coming from under the bath (however fortunately there was no smell in this room). We didn't report the faults in this room as we didn't want them to do us another favour and move us again.
Enough about the rooms lets talk about the food. There was a quite varied selection of hot and cold buffet meals, however the hot food was only lukewarm and items were not always replaced when empty causing delays with already cool food. If you chose the cold buffet option the plates were in warmers (strange logic). Waiting service started out very good but very soon went downhill maybe due to lack of staff. I think however it was just apathy among the staff that were there at the end of the season.
Reception was also disappointing when you made a request for something to be done it seemed to be too much trouble for them to take any notice (none of the reception staff noted anything), so either they had very good memories or they weren't taking any notice (I believe it was more likely the latter).
I do have to compliment the Thomas Cook reps especially Jo as they have to deal with the fallout from the guests. Being in the front-line myself I know how difficult it is to keep smiling when all you hear are complaints. This was the only reason for rating higher than 2.
In summing up I would have to say I feel that Club Sultan is a very large complex which is in need of a holiday itself. This would enable urgent repairs to be carried out to rooms. And perhaps some customer service training for the staff.

We returned last week from the Club Sultan Hotel. We arrived late evening and were ushered to the restaurant for a bite to eat. The food was left overs from supper but very welcomed. The room allocated was beautiful with full view of the quiet beach and sea. Beds lovely, large king sized with a single bed for the child. A small balcony with table and chairs. Television, hair dryer and full bathroom, very powerful shower. No kettle or tea making facilities for those who like a cup of tea first thing.
If your room is at the far end of the complex then you will be so fit by the end of your holiday. It was a good 5-20 minute walk up steep hills to the restaurant and main lobby. There is a hotel run bus that circles the complex every 15 mins in the morning, every 30 mins mid morning and every 15 mins at tea time until about midnight.
The food in the main restaurant was buffet style offering lots of choice. Very multi-national food not really English. My daughter lived on burgers, sausage, pizza and chips for the entire week. The restaurant is lovely and very clean, food looks beautiful and chefs were cooking fresh food each night as you wait. Staff very helpful and top up your drinks all the time.
There are two snack bars 1 under the infinity pool and the other by the activity pool. Both serve the same food on order, chicken, burger, pizza, salad etc. In addition there are 3 other restaurants where you need to book. We did not go but other guests seemed to say good comments about the restaurants.
Pools, there are 3 pools. The infinity pool is wonderful, very relaxing and stunning views. Not many kids or lilos in the pool. The activity pool is where all the activities tale place, a firm favourite for the families. There are bars open from 10 am-6pm at both pools serving local beers, spirits and soft drinks. The other pool is the kids pool with slides. The slides are open for 2 hours a day, am and pm. Beware the slides are VERY fast but great fun!
Beaches, there are 2 beaches a quiet one and an activity one. Both very nice and you can always get a sun bed unlike the pools. Many people put towels on the pool beds very early in the morning and then don't turn up until the afternoon. Very frustrating!!!!!! If you cant beat them, join them!
The Reps were great. Very good entertainment from both sets of reps. Most of the entertainment was multi-lingual although it was frustrating waiting for the English version of the comments. The staff tried very hard to involve all languages. A good job by all. The kids club was great, staff very friendly and seemed to enjoy their job too! My daughter loved going to the club. They put on a few late evening parties at a small cost so parents could have some time alone at night. The pirate party was especially good 7-11 pm for about £10.
The only negative things I can think about is that the complex was not in a resort although I knew that when I booked. I missed being able to potter around the shops etc, the nearest town is Ozedre about a 25 min walk or a taxi cost about £4 return. There is also a local bus, there is a market on Saturday, some tourist things but lots of fruit and veg, a good few hours though. The town of Kusadassi is about a 40 minute taxi ride away and cost about £35 return. We went on the Wednesday and got a taxi with 'fat man' (his nickname). Beware he will drop you off outside his 'mates' jewellery shop!!!!!! and you have to go back to the shop for the owner to call the taxi to collect you. While you are in the shop he will try his best to get you to buy a ring etc. We waited 35 mins before he called our taxi! Tip if you don't want to buy any jewellery then leave your credit card at the hotel! Lots of hassle in the town with many shops selling identical things. All copies of bags, belts, jeans and other clothes available.
Overall a fab holiday, and would fully recommend it for families and couples. Also I would say it safe enough for single mums to go with thier kids, there is lots to do and you don't need to go out of the resort if you don't want to. I did not notice any problems with other people i.e. the French and found that everyone got along very well. Hope this review helps :-)

Wow, what a holiday - couldn’t fault it one bit. English people moan about everything; when I read the reviews online I was a bit worried about it, but it was nice being meet by the reps when we booked in. Carly was on hand to tell us that we could get some supper and that the bars were still free; we had till midnight. Carly also got me doing aqua-aerobics which was fun. The PA was done in english, french and german and both the french and english reps got you involved with activities.
Wonderful hotel set in beautiful grounds. Pools out of this world - you are not bumping into lilos.

This is the second time we've been here. Unfortunately, our second trip wasn't as great as our first. We changed rooms as soon as we got there, as it was not very nice (in the main hotel). Moved to another room, which looked OK, but later we found the lights didn't work properly and the plug sockets were not secured very well to the wall, which was a bit worrying.
Once again the food and staff surpassed themselves. Excellent location for views. Not so great if you don't like hills. Pools great as usual, but the activity pool had some areas around the outside of it that were a bit slimy.
It seems that over the last couple of years they have done a lot of work on this hotel to extend it, but unfortunately have let the original rooms decline. Both rooms we ended up staying in, were not what I would expect from a 4* hotel.
The English reps really need to sort out their entertainment - the french entertainment is a lot better (although that's not even great - unless your french). Very much geared towards the french guests - the english guests tend to feel a little bit like an afterthought where entertainment is concerned.
Overall still a good holiday, exceptionally clean and well kept public areas. Would return, but I'd be specific about the room I'd want.

Just got back from this hotel, we are a family of five with two teenagers and a ten year old, and we all loved it. Spotlessly clean maid service daily.
Excellent location with 2 beaches and 2 large pools. Food very good for all inclusive with lots of choice, especially desserts which were yummy. Free sunbeds/umbrellas/cushions also free pedelo’s and canoes.
Very good value through T Cook even though we paid brochure price it worked out at less than £600 per person for 2 weeks.
French entertainment team were excellent and worked very hard to keep everyone amused with announcements in English as well as French and German. The British reps were hardly to be seen and the British entertainment was not worth watching as it was indoors in sweltering conditions, we avoided it after about 2 days.
Daytime activities were numerous but there was no pressure to take part if you didn’t want to.
The town of Ozdere is quiet but quite attractive with a Saturday market and the usual gift shops and bars/cafes. It is in walking distance but the Dolmus is only 1 lira each way (about 40p).
Ephesus is worth visiting but is warned it is very hot and there is no shade. We went to Kusadasi market which was fun but very crowded and not much choice as is typical for a tourist market. We preferred the little local market in Ozdere.
All in all a great place for a sun and sand holiday. We would love to go back.

This is the 6th all inclusive we have been to in Turkey. There are good things to say about this hotel and we did have a great holiday - but there were also problems (more than there should be in a four star hotel.)
On the plus side -
Beautiful setting - Nestled into the hills above the sea, wonderful gardens which were well maintained. Lots of different pathways with interesting plants, big pots, and hay carts etc. If you aren't fit before you get there - you will be by the time you leave!
Fantastic infinity pool - wonderful views of the sea, grounds and surrounding area.
Comfortable king size bed - our room was in one of the buildings in the grounds and it was the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in on holiday. Lots of storage space too.
Bar service - reasonably quick although small plastic cups by pool were rather silly - use your water bottle to fill up instead!
And the negatives -
NOT ENOUGH SUN BEDS! Major arguments and even physical fighting between guests when we were there. We witnessed at least six incidents. After 12 days, some more sun beds were brought in but still not enough for such a large complex.
Ineffective aircon in public areas making use of lounges, English entertainment stage, and restaurant very uncomfortable
Apathetic management - Reception and management clearly demonstrated that they don't really care about you as a guest. This was a huge surprise because we have previously found Turkish hotels spot on for customer service.
Examples: Frequent requests for replacement of toilet rolls in reception loos and pool loos not auctioned. No measures put into place to ensure toilets are clean. Stinky filthy loos next to the pool not inspected or regularly cleaned.
Broken or faulty air con in room, leaking bath, broken phone in bathroom, no batteries in remote control, broken safe, no towels, lack of sun beds and failure to implement new policy of removing towels if reserved before 8am.
Staff had not been trained to acknowledge guests with a "yes" "sorry" or "of course" etc, so you weren't even sure if they had heard you or were going to meet your request. This even happened when asking for a beer in the restaurant.
Rude people. I have previously spent 9 weeks living with a French family and I was looking forward to dusting off my French and we did meet some nice people but overall found that some guests were rude and inconsiderate of the other guests in the hotel.
Examples: shouting in corridors early in the morning. Taking sunbeds or shade which other people were using. Refusing to move from a reserved table in the restaurant which had been decorated and reserved for a special occasion.
Pushing into queues at restaurants to take food which other people were waiting for. Pushing into lifts before people had got out. Closing the door on lifts so that others were caught in the doors when trying to enter.
Entertainment - most facilities and entertainment were geared towards the French who had the use of the best facilities (amphitheatre and terrace). Hardly any attempt to integrate nationalities with joint entertainment with only French used on the PA announcements.
Water slides only open for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. I think this should be indicated in the travel brochure.
Food - geared fully towards the French. After 2 weeks we were finding meals were starting to get a bit repetitive. This would have been avoided if the restaurant had made sure that they were able to quickly replenish dishes which had run out. They are clearly not geared up to cope with the numbers of people there now that the hotel is nearly full. Although the hotel said the restaurant was open to 9pm they stopped replacing empty food around 8.45 to 9pm.
The occasional BBQ or kebabs generated a huge queue of 25 minutes with everyone covering their faces with plates as the smoke blew into their faces.
Occasional ice-cream also generated huge queues and the ice-cream was melted when you got there. The advertised late night snacks in the restaurant were not available with staff eating in the restaurant saying they were closed.
Thomas Cook Holiday Village - not a patch on the First Choice Holiday Village we visited in Sarigerme last year- The reps were lovely but not half as professional as the reps with First Choice who gave their reps much more support and resources to give their customers and fantastic holiday - I know which company I will be booking with next year!

First off the resort is really quite massive- luxuriously laid out - the gardens and grounds are very nice- no expense spared on old cart wheels, pots and so on.
It boasts two private - proper sandy beaches. It also now has: Activity (Main Pool) incorporating (kid’s pools for paddling) the main pool has an island in middle.
Off this Pool is the first of the private beaches, this deals with canoes, windsurfing, p/glides etc. The Infinity pool a large classy pool is set up higher in the centre right of the complex. (Get up early for sunloungers!) It is very nice and has a small island on it.
Further to the right is the slides- 3 curlies and 5 chutes. And splash pool at the bottom.
Below the slides down a series of steps is the second private (quieter) beach and small bar.
The Panarama restaurant is to the far left of the resort) facing from the sea) and to the side of the lobby. It is plenty big enough! It house indoor and posh outdoor terrace where we always went!
The food is very good- but remember I like to try all the different food from different places. But don't sweat you can load up on chips if you really want! There are 2 main snack bars- one near the Infinity pool the other next to the Activity main pool. Both even offer a menu! There are also a Seafood, Turkish (at the Artemis...) and Italian restaurants 1 free visit to each per stay.
Ok- So what would I say?
Great but size isn't always better. You are quite a walk from Ozdere- ok but not with Kids. A taxi will take n wait for a few ££. The walk from our rooms - at the Windmill end of the resort - in rather posh rooms was a drag really, and we waited for an irregular courtesy bus.... Kids World fab.
Entertainment is the main issue - It seems to be a them and us between the French that out number everyone 8-2. I feel it should be a joint effort - and the amphitheatre is not central to the main terrace bars either.... Needs some sorting this!
Overall a great place ...but get your boots on as some steps to climb and quite vast and sometimes a little impersonal too.
8.5/10

Although the food is good there is no air con in any of the restaurants, which makes meal times uncomfortable.
If it is hot during the day or night, the only place with air con is your room, which is only on at certain times.
It is very French orientated, and they don’t understand the concept of queuing. Quite often they will just barge in without a care in the world.
All said the place is very nice with 2 great pools, and 2 beaches. Be prepared to do a lot of walking as the place is so big.