Wow Topkapi Palace Hotel

4 readers found this review helpful

this hotel is crap the flumes only go on in the morning for 1 hour then back on again in the afternoon for 2 hours. the bar staff served the kids drink in adult cocktail,s i was very angry and brought it to the attention to reps and managment but it fell on stoney ground. now to get on to the food well that was rotten same stuff every day but tarted up in a diffrent sauce.the only good place to eat is the burger bar.please dont take kids here as there,s nothing for them to do we took 3 kid,s and they wanted to come home after 3 days but we had paid 3000 for 5 of us so did stay to the end but hated every single minute we were there. so glad to be back on british soil.

3 readers found this review helpful

My family and myself have spent the last 11 years travelling to turkey mostly staying in the Antayla resort.
We first stayed at this hotel back in 2009, we found this to be the best hotel and holiday we'd ever had. we found the whole complex to be clean and maintained on a daily basis etc.. pool area constantly swiped, moped, ash trays cleaned and cups picked up straight away. the quality of food was outstanding with a wide variety for breakfast and lunch and dinner all very tastey and satifying.
I was worried about my 9 month old daughter eating and drinking well abroad, but i was more than relieved to find a seperate part of the main resturant to have baby food, biscuits and sterilising equipment.
We were even so impressed with the little touches such as staff coming round the complex with trollies full of cucumber, watermelon and doughnuts through out the day, also an afternoon jacket potatoe stand with different fillings.
The quality of the rooms were not quiet 5* but where very clean, bar replenished fresh sheets daily etc.
we enjoyed our time there so much we decided to book again for the following year.
Much to our disappointment we had not experienced the same standard, the quality of food was very low and we had to indure powdered egg pre mixed to make the omletes, pancakes etc. The main resturant was served meat kofte most nights and occassionally we would have roast chicken with chips and rice along with the other usual traditional dishes.
we had serious health concerns when we as a family suffered what we though was bad travellers tummy. but talking to other holiday makers most had suffered the same thing. we lost count the amount of times the kids pool had feces in it, the first few times someone with a dust pan and brush just scooped it out, my partner and myself had complained to the rep only in doing so was the pool closed off for proper cleaning. around the pool area was dirty with everyone complaining about rashes and itching, the wiled cats seemed to more than ever. Staff were very rude this time round and really didn't want to engage with holiday makers. Qeues for the outdoor bars were ridiculous, so we asked a waiter if he could bring our table some drinks of course with a generous tip, we only recieved one round of drinks.
Rooms were definitely not at the same standard dirty carpet, faulty shower and some days uncleaned sheet, and balcony had constant bird mess everywhere.
little touches had vanished no trollies with nice treats, no jacket potatoes etc.
the hotel was over run with russain guest who mostly seemed to be very unpleasant, loud and majority drunk. On the rare occassion of visiting the on sight night club it almost had a sleezy feel to the place monstly russain men not knowing how to behaving themselves and the music was european techno music, i would have loved to have heard more Turkish and English music.
But i must say the aqua park was still fun and monitored by a life guard, the entertainment was still very lively and fun, although some members of the animation team seemed tired of there job and lacked enthusiasm.
i regret going back to this hotel and wish i had kept the good memories of the previous holiday i would reccommend this to anyone i know it's not worth the money and certainly not worth going on holiday to become sick, i hope the hotel sorts the problems and tour operators should cetainly not be allowed to advertise this as a 5*, i wold say more like a 3.

1 reader found this review helpful

We stayed at the Topkapi in September 2009 and had a fantastic time that we have booked again to return this May the entertainment team were excellent, we travelled has a family with our son 5years, he tried horse riding, bananna boat rides he did not want to come home, the food was ok however I would recommend people to bring their own inflatables etc for the pools, they are well overpriced. The night time entertainment is also ok. There is little to see when you leave the site unless you go on a trip, I love the markets. Dont have a massage etc on the site speak to rep for off site experience much cheaper and very good. I would say this is not a holiday for people who expect everything handed to them, there is loads to do and things to see but you have to find them yourself

4 readers found this review helpful

one word brilliant!As soon as you walk in the reception was like walking into a roman palace. The toilets are so clean.Upstairs in the reception their is a cocktail bar were you can get a drink of basically anything.The main restaurant isnt that nice but the waitering is great the food mostly turkish stuff but thiers a little place in the far corner where you can get chips which are good for the kids.Their are 4 ala carte restaurants Italian,fish,turkish and an international.My favourite one is probably the italian.The food is lush and the surrounding is actually like an italian restaurant plus the staff are very nice.During the day the fish restaurant is a place were they sell burgers and hot dot dogs etc etc and the turkish restaurant sells things such as meat balls and cheesey bread.One thing i havent mentioned is the pool.When you first get in its a bit nippy but it warms up after a bit.The water park slides are quite scary but some are slow it also has a lazy river but get a boat fast before the russians take them.I didnt go on the beach so youll have to read someone elses revieww(not the bad ones)The sister hotel next door is great too you can do everything there other than eat at the ala carte restaurants.wow kremlin palace it is called.The rooms arent very nice we had to change bedrooms because they werent sutable for us.But the fridges arefilled everyday.I would deffinetely go again!!!!!

6 readers found this review helpful

Having read many reviews good and bad, I too took the bad points with a pinch of salt, how wrong i was!
The hotel is a great place to look at, but they have many staffing issues, which if they could sort out, would make this place a jewel in Turkeys crown.
Firstly after we checked in, we were given our room key, we were left to find our room, which in a huge complex like this was a task in its own.
The room was okay, spacious but dated and in need of repair. The beds were back breaking and we all came back with backache!
The first day was okay, just checking out the many facilities and pools/bars/restaurants in the complex. We noted that all the floors and poolside were very slippy and witnessed several people slipping and falling due to marble flooring that was wet.
After the second day, we noticed posters being put up all over the place, and a reception area being built in the foyer, which as we found out later was for a 5 day medical convention being held in the hotel. This was
followed by hundreds and hundreds of suit clad businessmen and thier families invading the hotel for the seminar.
It got to the point by day 4, where there were more businessmen on mobile phones than holiday makers, and they took up most of the restaurants, bars, seating areas and even the games room. This totally spoiled our holiday, I complained to the Thomas Cook Rep who told me she could not kick them out.
They even took over one of the pools and surrounding areas to hold there own party!
We found the food very same-ish with little to offer kids and mainly catered for the Russians, Polish and German people that use this hotel (Tip here, google "international school holiday dates" and avoid these dates, we did and only found British folk and the odd Turkish family there! this means your kids are more likely to find english speaking friends to play with).
We found that the waiters kept you waiting to be served, were rude even though we were polite to them, and sometimes forgot to process your food/drink order.
Beware of the "Antalya Shopping Excusion" at £10 per head, although it does take you to a waterfall which was great, and a Bazaar where you can haggle to your hearts content, they do make you visit a Diamond shop and a leather goods shop, each for 2 hours where you are greeted by 10's of salesmen trying to make you part with your money, it was embarrasing on both occasions as they tried to get you to pay £1000 for a jacket.
You are better off paying 2tl for a bus ride which will take you to the bazaar (buses run from outside the hotel).
On the last day of the holiday we found a mains lead had been left submerged in the pool from the seminar party, although it was not plugged in, if it was re-plugged in, would have caused an issue to those in the pool at the time. I told the rep about this H&S issue and she said it would be removed immediately, several hours later is was not, so I did it myself as I did not want to see anyone injured.
All in all, the hotel could be much better if they sorted out the staff issue, the lack of clean tables in the restaurant, and some decent entertainment in the evenings.
The pools were a pleasure, and the water park onsite was great for all the family, like having wet n wild on your doorstep.

5 readers found this review helpful

This hotel is truly amazing you dont need to go ouside the hotel itself as there is so much to do. My little neice who is 2 years old was in awe of this wonderful complex, she was full of excitement all the time and didnt want to have her afternoon naps as she was having so much fun. There is lots to do for all age groups nobody is left out.
The pool area is huge with seperate sections for all ages, there is a waterpark with slides and a lazy river for the more energetic, a kiddies area with their own smaller slides and fun pool, there is also a quiet pool at the back of the hotel that is really relaxing.
The beach has hammocks a small outside gym and abundant loungers plus plenty of sunshades that a whole family of 4 could easily share as they are so big, there is also an undercover adventure park for the little ones. The little jettys leading from the beach out to sea are really quirky and have the straw umbrellas on them with large cushions that you can just laze on and watch all the watersports and boats go by or just grab a book and chill.
The rooms in the hotel are basic and in need of a little re-vamp but nothing to complain about as they are spotless clean.
The food can get a bit repetative but i think that applys to the majority of places and there is always something you like at every meal. The A La Cartes are fantastic we tried the Turkish and Italian well worth a visit.
Drinks at the bars are really good with plenty of choice the main bar is in the reception area and there is also a bar upstairs that does entertainment most evenings.
We loved this hotel many thanks to everyone who works at the Topkapi for making our holiday memorable and enjoyable.

4 readers found this review helpful

I do not have a single fault to make. Excellent value for money. Staff were polite & friendly, room was clean, mini fridge was always stocked. Wide selection of food available throughout the day & night, strongly recommend trying the turkish & italian restaurants on sight. My 11 year old daughter loved the water slides & pools, also used facilities next door at the kremlin. Activities going on all the time & shows in the evening. Enjoyed the beach & use of hammocks & lying on the huge bean bags under the trees!will definately be going back to the wow topkapi palace.

7 readers found this review helpful

ok so on paper this Hotel looks great, as you walk through the complex it looks amazing, plenty of places to eat, water slides, massive pools, loads of sunbeds, shops and loads more, here comes the but guys!
lets start on the beach, water sports para sailing £30 for 4mins. jet skis £30 for 10 mins the only thing that was free was the plastic paddle boats if you can get one.
so find a nice spot on the beach and sunbathe instead, but dont leave your sunbed for to long or the Russians will move in and just push your gear to one side.
so to one of the pools instead, here is a way to get a sunbed in a good place. get up at 7am and put your towels out to claim your spot, after 7:30 it will be down to luck if you want to find a good spot. oh yes and the pool bar is open 11am til 5pm. water slides are open 10 til 12 then 2pm til 4pm. send your kids in 2's to stand side by side when queing because the Russian kids will push past and the attendant will let them. if you manage to get a rubber ring for the slide or lazy river(stream more like) dont let go or the Rusky's will be there in a flash.
so lets go eat Mmmm steak , italian, barbeque actualy theses are not free and have to be pre booked by phone from your room before mid day. so main eating area looks great food everywhere,, so first thing to do is find a table. which will be dirty, but sit down anyway and try to catch the eye of a waiter who will make you wait. when the table is done go in shifts to find your food or you will loose your table, you have to queue for everything which most people do, but i bet you cant guess who is going to walk to the front and just push in? ok easy question. so if you want hot food forget it. the food is all over the place and you normaly have to wait for more. dont leave it till 9pm to eat because they clear away at 9;30 sharp. so by the time you queue and get to the front it's all gone. but dont worry remember food is available from 10pm til 5am, if you like tomato, cucumber and rock hard bread rolls. the food bar near the beach has burgers, hot dogs, fish fingers, cheese toastys and chips from 12 til 4, they normaly get the order wrong but the kids should enjoy this fast food.
the shops are very expensive but you can haggle, rember this is meant to be 5* and you pay 5*prices.the haircut is free but dont let them talk you into a wash and blow dry, they charge for that,
iiiiits entertainment time. you know what i cant be bothered, 11 nights we stayed and we had maybe3 good acts in all.
so if you have money to spend and you dont mind queing holiday camp style for your food etc etc etc. you may enjoy it.......we went to the reps talk which does give you good advice so i do recomend you go. that is after he has spent 10 mins telling you how wonerful the 7* hotel is next door.
their is more i could say but wheres the point... if you go to the market remember outside the hotel toilets are basic and i recomend you take some tissue with you just in case..
i am angry because the resort has so much potential and is realy beutiful but in my view the tip boxes which are everywhere should remain empty

15 readers found this review helpful

Topkapi was recommended to us. We spent a week there and came away with mixed feelings. Our room was basic, the beds were like sleeping on concrete, outside lights were broken. Our room was cleaned every day, the fridge topped up every day. I liked the fact that there was a bidet built into the toilet and towels provided in both room and beach towels. It was a long walk or wheelchair push in my case to the main hotel from our room, wheelchair access very steep and impossible without soemone pushing me in some cases. I have a gastric bypass and had to live on soup and bread all week. My stomach cannot cope with eastern european food. Most of my party did not like this type of food either. Very difficult to get a table in the main restaurant, waiters extremely slow. If you leave your table some russian nicks it. Kids very rude. Disabled toilets often locked, no disabled access to cocktail bar and tower. Loved all the cats, they were very clean and friendly and kept the place insect and vermin free, also highly entertaining with their antics. Some staff were extremely cruel to them, especially the staff in the Marine cafe. These staff were extremely rude to guests unless you were a young attractive women/gil. Always got food and drink orders wrong. Cheese toastie quite often contains no cheese, just 2 slices of toast put together or just a very small slice of cheese in the middle.
Beach could have done with more boarding to walk on or enable wheelchairs to get on it. Ice cream parlour is not signposted so unless you go searching for it you won't get any.
Shops incredibly expensive - bottle of sunscreen 32 euros. English newspapers heavily marked up.
Buses run outside the hotel very frequently and only cost 1 euro each to get to the main shopping areas. Beware though, the Turks drive like loonies. Be prepared to barter and local shopping malls and markets prefer euros/US dollars and GBP to Turkish Lira. Spa in hotel is very expensive, poolside always packed and no spare loungers. Russians leave stuff on the loungers overnight to save them.
Staff always hosing down and cleaning at night, pool cleaned every night but I wasn't able to swim in it as it was so cold. The sea was warmer but rather murky and you had to get over sharp stones to get in the sea. The bar and disco were over run with old Turkish men on the pull, very off-putting and creepy. Salad, soup and bread available all night after 10pm so good for those peckish after clubbing.
Only 2 nights of entertainment, bit boring. No disabled access to games room/internet cafe. Very shocked that there were no tea/coffee making facilities in rooms, room service reasonably priced but very limited menu, difficult to order and very slow. Access to reps lousy. It was 5 days before we found ours. Electrical sockets limited to one double per room. Not good in this day and age when you want to charge phones/cameras, use hairdryers (the built in ones are crap). Air con is just a glorified fan but helps to use any kind of credit sized card to keep electricity going to keep fan on all the time. we used a video rental card. do not have windows/patio doors open at night unless you want to be bitten alive. No disabled toilets around pool area or beach.
Definitely NOT a 5 star hotel as per UK standards. More 2-3 star.

35 readers found this review helpful

I had read the reviews on here from when we booked our holiday August time. Some reviews worried me and some made it sound like a lovely place! I can honestly say (and on behalf of my boyfriend and 2 friends we went with) that we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at WOW Topkapi Palace.
It's a 20 minute transfer from Antalya airport to the resort. Very nice rooms,yes the wallpaper is peeling in the corner of the bathroom and there was dust on the headboard but I'm not sad enough (like some people on here) to take photos of pathetic things like that and put them on here!!! My camera took photos of the lovely hotel, pool and surrounding area.
The pool is amazing, cold but once your in, AMAZING! Myself and my party didn't try the water park but it did look fun. Beach was clean and plenty of sun loungers. Bars, well, sooo many to choose from, all doing cocktails, spirits, beer, soft drinks and nuts. Then you have snack bars where you can get burger and chips. Restuarant where we ate our breakfast, lunch and dinner was huge, great food and loads to choose from, slighly repeatitive but still, it was stuff we liked!
Staff were friendly and helpful, the bar staff were lovely, very generous with the Vodka!! Highly recommend the Banana Breeze cocktail by the way!!
6 star hotel next door is out of this world! They do guided tours around it and their free! Just make sure you tip instead! Biggest swimming pool in Europe, crystal and gold EVERYWHERE. Can't describe this hotel......just pay it a visit!
Had full use of the hotel next door, the WOW Kremlin Palace, only thing we couldn't use was the Al A Carte resturants.
We had good weather even though we touched on rainy season.
Lovely jewellery store, myself and my friend treated ourselves to a sterling silver ring each!
Only downside and this is only one downside is that evening entertainment is limited, but there are plenty of bars to choose from and there are TVs in all the rooms!
Apart from that, the hotel is definatly worth a visit, believe me! Our party would definatly go back.
Thank you for taking time to read this review.