Sunlight Garden

like most people we were worried about what we had read on the net . but when we got there it was ok i suppose. the downfall was the walk to the beech (if you get the free bus you have to pay for the sun loungers) so its a 500 meter walk and the hill is very very steep as for the food it was ok but you only realy got the choice of one hot meat dish and the rest was vegetables if you dont like the food there is a pub on the corner called the crown i highly recomend it the people are very welcolming and it is not expensive all the staff are very freindly all in all we had a lovely time but i think they could off had more of choice in the way of food and entertainment . its quite a walk at night if you want to go anywhere after the hotel closes

Just got back and have had a lovely holiday. Lovely small hotel in nice gardens with two good sized pools. After reading the reviews and forums I was a little worried but I need not have been. The rooms are large with two big balconies and the cleaners leave them spotless daily. The atmosphere was lively yet peaceful, there were plenty of sunbeds, no need to go and put towels on beds before the sun comes up. No long waits at the bar to be served and a good selection of local drinks (just like it says in the brochure!) The food was lovely with a good varied selection. Yes people were moaning (even though they were on their third plateful). But even if you did not like any of the hot dishes, you could have a different salad every night and the salads were very good. The hot dishes were also very good but were not always hot enough. The only down side for us was the nightlife or rather lack of it. There was not much to do in the evening and yes you can go out it is very close to Side but when you pay all inclusive you want to make the most of it. So for us that was the only bad point other than listening to all the Brits moan - theres nothing for our kids to eat, they don't do chips every night! and they think it is the hotel catering that is the problem. All I can say is you are booking a 3 star hotel not a 5 star. Either put your had in your pockets and pay the extra for a 5 star or button it! You are getting a very good 3 star.

After booking this hotel and then reading the reviews I was terrified about my forthcoming holiday. However the staff are very welcoming, friendly, efficient and professional. I could not fault the cleanliness of the apartments which were light and spacious (2 bedrooms, large lounge with dining table chairs sofa bed and fridge, and bathroom) although the plumbing (shower) was dangerous. There was always very hot water whatever the time of day but as cold must be mixed with hot when taking a shower take great care because the cold usually fails midway and could cause scalding. The hotel made attempts to correct this which did make it a little better but be warned! The kitchen/preparation of food is visible to guests via large windows. The selection of food at the beginning of the holiday was quite good but towards the end of 2 weeks it became limited, repetitive and hot food was not always hot enough. It is my assumption that as the hotel becomes busier the kitchen cannot cope. The pool area is very slippery when wet and the 2 pools are deep (not suitable for children unable to swim) only being able to touch bottom at one end in the pool away from the bar area. There are ’toddler pools’ adjacent to each large pool which are about 2ft deep. Local alcoholic drinks were free at the bar from 10 am until 11 pm. Coffee and cakes were served 4-5 pm every day. Evening entertainment was virtually non-existent. So going to the ALREMU Beach Bar in the evening is the best bet. There was a free mini bus to the beach bar in the morning which returned at 4 pm or thereabouts. Sun beds were free at the beach but drinks and food were chargeable. The ALREMU staff were GREAT! You were not pressured to buy drinks or food but if you do check your bill and change. The biggest complaint about this hotel is the hotel photographer. The price he charges is awful. He wanted to charge me approx £250 for 52 photos as he takes loads and loads. SO PLEASE BE WARNED. Manavgat river trip does not live up to expectaions and I feel it is very orverpriced. There is a beach but not secluded, I didn’t see Pelicans, and only 2 turtles which I now believe to be plastic and planted on a branch by the river. The waterfall is nice but not spectacular and the market is the usual hassel – nothing is cheap even if you bargain. Go to ASDA/TESCO! All in all I had a great three star holiday………if you expect more then go four or five star.

Me and my boyfriend went for one week at the end of September last year to stay at Sunlight Gardens. We found that the hotel overal was pretty average, a typical 3 star. The apartments were massive, with a fridge but no cooking facilities. The hotel was clean and safe. The best part of our holiday was the great staff who were funny and friendly. All staff speak great English and are around to help all of the time. Food was nice although if I was staying for more than a week it would become a little repetative. This is definatly a more family orientated hotel, although reps are around the reception every few days to help book excursions and activities for all the family. Close to the beach, telephone facilities and free buses run to Side Town. Would recommend for a low cost enjoyable break.

We did have our reservations about this hotel as all the write ups were very poor. But we went anyway we needed a holiday at the right price. The Hotel appartments are spacious but on arrival not all the doors were lookable and we have a 5 year old with downs syndrome so we did go in a state of panic, so we had to barracade our selves in the first night. The next day we spoke to the hotel owner who uses all the facilitys of the hotel he dines and swims with the guest's. This was a good sign. we had a brief discussion about our arrival experience and within a couple of hours we had locks fitted on all the external doors and the maintence was going to do all the appartments within the hotel. The staff were fantastic very friendly polite and nothing is to much trouble. The hotel manager went to great length to ensure our stay was pleasurable. Their were a few problems within the restarunte but remember this is a two star hotel so you get what you pay for. The dining is all out side. We found something we liked most meal times, the childrens meals were repeated, more varity of vegtables and fruit would have been an addvantage. The pool was clean and yes slippery but all pools are their are cautions signs up and do not run signs poeple should take notice of this this. On the whole we all had a great holiday and we will be going back again the food is basic but enjoyable but remember it is only a two star hotel not five.

I booked this hotel for the 4 of us, 2 adults, 2 teenagers 12 & 13 yrs.Then I read the reviews on here and was frankly worried, then I realized that as I run & own a hotel myself in Ulvik in Norway with both good and bad reviews, I would take my chances. We arrived at 04.00hrs. and were met by two night porters who were friendly and helpful, one of them showed us our appartment and carried my wife’s suitcase. Breakfast: Cold food: A typical Norwegian(continental) breakfast with bread, rolls, cheese, hams, jams, marmalade, juices(squash) coffee, tea, milk & cereals. Hot food: Boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, waffles/pancakes, and made to order fried eggs. There is a huge grill/toaster for making delicious toasties! Lunch: Buffet with good choices. Snack time: Cakes and cold pizza slices. Dinner: Extensive buffet with different choices every day. Now a word about buffet’s, You will always get tired of eating from a buffet, whether it is a 1 star hotel or a 5 star hotel. The salad buffet here was fantastic, with loads of good choices drenched in healthy olive oil. Drinks: Pops, beer, white wine, red wine, cofee, tea, gin, raki (Traditional Turkish drink) vodka and brandy. The beer is not the strongest beer I have drunk but it was refreshing and cold. If you are sunbathing by the pool, you will get your drinks in a plastic glass. After seeing many plastic glasses dropped and kicked around the pool area, all I can say is Thank god for plastic! Staff: The hotel was clean, our appartment was cleaned every day and the towels changed. The pool and recreation areas were cleaned every day by a whole gang of women. There was plenty of room around the pools. There are staff tidying and cleaning the whole complex, from when you get up until bedtime. The staff are friendly, helpful and always smiling. Turkish Bath (Haman) There is a Turkish bath in the hotel grounds. Very well run, very clean and great fun as well. We had 1 on arrival and 1 when we left. Even my kids loved it and I have never heard them stay so quiet for so long! Location: Great location, not central but in walking distance of pubs and a 5 euro trip by taxi to Side centre. The beach service run by the hotel is fantastic, although to walk to the beach only takes 10 mins. They drop you off at Alremu beach which is a restaurant, hotel and beach area. The Alremu is owned & run by Ali and his family, who will do anything for you. After finding you a sun lounger and parasol if you need one, they will cater for your needs all day. The sun loungers are free but you have to pay for drinks and food( the food at the Alremu is 1st class) The Turkish evening they have here, with Ali on the microphone is very, very good fun. The beach is clean and sandy and the sea is shallow and very safe for all ages, it was lovely and warm too! Side centre: A short taxi ride brings you to the town centre with loads of shops and a busy market atmosphere, loads to see and do and be sure to barter. All in all a great holiday and a great hotel. Ali introduced me to the owner of Sulight Garden and he told me that in the winter 2008/2009 he will be refurbishing the hotel appartments and renewing all the bathrooms, so we are looking forward to going back another time. I hope you enjoy your stay there as much as we did and remember: ”You can please some people all the time, but you can’t please all people some of the time”

nice clean rooms cleaner great,,,,,,,,,,,,, but waiter s did not speak rep did not see after 1st meeting had to book own trips food , well i was ok something every meal i could eat some people did not like***turkish seem to want 2 veg and meat or bacon beach not good better a bit up from drop off all prices in euros= 1euro 2lira = 1pound 2lira

My family went on an all inclusive holiday which turned out to be very disappointing. August for two weeks. we arrived at the complex at approximately 04.30am I had two teenage children and I we where escorted by the security guard to the rear of the complex and given a room at the top floor of a building the steps where narrow and made of marble and very steep. it was difficult to get our suitcases up the narrow steps. when I entered the room it was awful it was not what I expected the rooms where vast but of a poor quality I moved a bed it was broken and dirt was under it. the shower stank of urine, the shower was broken and the taps did not work properly. I was clearly disappointed the children looked somewhat confused. they had plated some food incling film which was left on the table and not stored in the fridge the weather was exceptionally hot even at that time. the aircondiotning unit proved useless. the next day I complained and we were moved to better accomodation.however, the food lacked creativity and the food hygeine standards where exceptionally poor I caught the dreaded stomach bug aswell as my daughter. we went to the pharmacy and bought anti protazoa medication this helped. The swimming pools where good. we had to provide our own pool towels. the children where happy by the pool and my son wanted to visit the beach the hotel laid on transport which was punctual and well organised. However when we entered the sea it was as warm as bath water we could not believe the temperature and started to relax and enjoy it until we noticed human faeces floating in the area and there was lots of it. Anatalya airport is the most expensive airport for food and drinks a burger king meal was £11.00 I bought two cappucino's and one coffee two soft drinks and it cost me £17.00 overall I would not reccomend Side and especially the resort Sunlight garden. please be careful when booking side

I read the reviews for this hotel before leaving the country and I thought it cant be that bad but it was we were aparty of eight and five of us was taken in to hospital and put on drips.due to that poor hygenie of the hotl we were there for two weeks and it was a holiday people were dropping like flys it was awful. On the day we were flyin back thomas cook decide that the hotel was up to there standards and moved all there guest to a another hotel. while we there we saw the eviroment health come in and test the food and it was it they got results back did people get moved. well then we asked thomas cook rep if it wiil be in there boucher next year and they said probably so please stay well clear it not comfortable or clean. i just come back and I dont feel like I had a holiday it was shameful that a tour operater and hotle manager could run the place like it.

Just returned for a two weeks holiday with children at Sunlight Garden at the end of July 2008. Here are some comments: Positive: -Nice pool area and short distance to the beach -Good service from most of the employees -The rooms are clean -The food and drinks are ok Negative: -The air-condition is old, the capacity too weak and there were no air-condition in the two sleeping rooms. We asked for two fans but after a week we got one. We bought one fan for EUR 19,- nearby and this helped a little, but it was still far to hot in the sleeping rooms. -The Hotel has been renovated in 2005 and built in 1997. The renovation seemed to be only painting of the walls. All the other equipments in the rooms are old and not changed since 1997. 2 of the chairs on the terrace broke when we used them. The shower is only a drop without pressures and ability to adjust the temperature. -A 13 year old boy from Norway was serving alcohol in the bar. He told us that he got paid from the Hotel. We reported this to our Apollo our travel agent, but nothing happened and he was still working there when we left. Conclusion: The hotel needs to be totally renovated. The hotel is operated by management that do not respond to the basic need from their customers.