Caria Holiday Resort

Just spent a week here,plenty to do for all ages,food was very good ,booze was of a decent local quality,good helpfull staff ,very good week,one word of warning ,anyone who is not a good walker must ask for a low numbered room as it is a killer hill to the top.

5 readers found this review helpful

My partner and I went to Caria holiday resort in May 2010. We really enjoyed the holiday. It’s a beautiful resort with a great view of the sea. The staff are very friendly too. Loud music is played throughout the day by the pool which I didn't like to begin with, however got used to it further on in the holiday. The pool is lovely and clean with a separate small children’s pool - plenty of sun loungers available. There seemed to be lots of entertainment for the children by the ‘Animation Team’ throughout the day with a small water park with two slides. There was limited entertainment whilst we were there although the evenings seemed to become livelier towards the end of our holiday as it was the beginning of the school holidays. There is a shuttle bus every hour to a lovely beach with plenty of sun loungers. The walk to and from the beach wouldn't be fun due to the resort being high on a hill side (we didn’t attempt it!). Getting the shuttle bus back from the beach was a bit of a pain and we had to get a taxi on two occasions after 16:00 (didn't cost much) due to too many people going back to the resort. There is a beach hut with lunch served (salad, burgers, sausages) from 12 - 2pm with drinks available throughout the day as within the resort. The food was very nice - all buffet style however it became quite repetitive after a while. The room was quite basic but we had everything we needed. There is an amputheatre on site which we didn’t know about until our last night so missed the entertainment at the end of the holiday. Overall me and my partner loved this holiday and highly recommend it!

4 readers found this review helpful

I went with my family, 2 adults, 2 children (12 and 15), and I really enjoyed it. There were some minor hiccups at the start of our holiday regarding the lack of towels and bedding, but was sorted out within 24 hrs. The weather was nice, and the food was delicious, although a bit samey by the end of the week. Local beer and wine was very good. The beach was sandy and clean (though the toilets were a bit grim), and the all-inclusive bar for Caria right on the beach was great. We went on a banana boat, and there was also plenty of other things to do. The entertainment at the hotel was brilliant for kids. The animators were very enthusiastic. Downside, we were on the 6th level, which meant about 180 steps to our apartment - although you could ask for a lift up to your apartment if you needed one. All in all, good value for money. I would definitely go back! :)

2 readers found this review helpful

it was the worst holiday i ever had its not a four star more like 1.mangement dont care once your there as they already have ye money.children drinking vodka food cooked outside with fly and wasps.If you are russian they will listen i booked this holiday on the net if i had a rep i would of got moved.all i can say is dont waste your hard earned cash on this hole.

2 readers found this review helpful

The scenic views surrounding the Caria are stunning and walking around the hill tops is a must if you are fit enough and can endure the heat,best done on a cloudy day.
The local village is warm and friendly and not to much of a hassle with shopkeepers,
Once your noticed they will back off,
Caria itself was understaffed at the time We were there.
Some friendly staff but the bar staff had there favourites and we were ignored on several occasions which was insulting and put me off.Food was below average but adults can get a meal from the selection but kids may have a problem,if your stuck the town does excellent meals .
Accomodation clean and bearable as we had problems with showers bursting and light fittings falling off the wall.
I would definetly go back to Sarigerme but not to this hotel as they need to step up a notch , but all in all you get what you pay for and thats it .
Local bus srvice to and from the beach from the hotel was good but get in line early.
Beach was unspoilt and beutiful.
Free entry to beach with the Caria hotel and dining facility on the beach which was ok.

6 readers found this review helpful

My wife and I stayed at the Caria Holiday Resort in Sarigerme, Turkey all inclusive for one week May 7th 2010. We booked flights, accommodation and transfers through Sunshine.co.uk. There were no problems with the transactions. The weather was hot and sunny all week.
The Caria Holiday Resort is in a lovely position high up on a hillside overlooking the sea and to snow capped mountains in the distance. If you have mobility problems forget this resort as to get anywhere on the complex involves steep climbs.
For the first 3 days of our stay there was more staff than holidaymakers at the resort as it was early in the season and they had only opened on the 1st of May. We found all the staff extremely polite, friendly and helpful. Dining room staff were so efficient they frequently removed our plate before we had finished eating – amusing at first but annoying as the week went by. There was probably only 20 or so other holidaymakers there so that meant no queuing in the dining room, bars, and loads of room around the pool with no one reserving sun-beds at 5am. If the resort was reasonably full I would imagine the pool and pool area would be far too small. Likewise with the dining room and bars.
The food was reasonable for Turkey with a choice of meat or fish most days and lots of salad, rice and spaghetti. Sprouts and broccoli were well overcooked. Some evenings they ran out of certain dishes an hour or so before dinner time had finished and did not replenish them. Whereas some all inclusive resorts charge for drinks with your evening meal, this was not the case at this resort. You just get whatever you want from the bar and take it through with you. There is not a wide choice of alcoholic dinks, lager, vodka, gin and some unpleasant liquid they try to pass off as whisky or brandy. The red and white wines are drinkable.
As it was early in the season there was very little entertainment. Also, daytime activities were lacking but became more frequent as the week went by. There was a problem concerning the volume and type of music being played around the pool area all day. Many people were complaining but although it was turned down a little it would soon be turned back up again. This meant a nice peaceful spot on a hillside with beautiful views was turned into a bit of a hellhole blasting out trance music. One got the impression the music was more for the staffs’ benefit than those on holiday.
To categorize the resort you would have to break it down into different areas. It is officially graded as 4 stars. The pool and dining room would pass as 3 or 4 star but both would be quite inadequate in the height of the season so I would rate them as 3 star. The apartments are old, tired, drab, in need of a complete refurbishment and could only pass as 2 stars. We personally found the size of the bedding inadequate. The gardens/grounds and flowerbeds near reception were looked after but the ones around your accommodation were completely overgrown, full of weeds and grass and only served to make the apartments look more shabby. The water-park has a very shallow pool at the bottom which could prove a hazard. There is a shortage of comfortable seating areas for the evening and it is difficult to get away from the excessive noise. If you are allocated an apartment near reception beware – there is a small waterfall and pool there where the frogs croak away with their mating call very loudly all night.
The resort is about 4K down a steep road away from a lovely clean beach but there is a frequent free shuttle bus provided. There is normally a charge for access to the beach but if you show your all inclusive wrist band at the gate you get free access. There is a beach bar belonging to the Caria Resort where your all inclusive status still applies for food and drinks but not activities. There are a variety of water activities which you pay independently for. The sea water was warm in May and it stays shallow for around 50 metres.
We liked the resort but would not return because of the pounding loud music most of the day.

1 reader found this review helpful

What a fabulous place! Had 10 day holiday with the most fantastic weather. Kids absolutely loved it they made so many friends and not just from the UK. Food was great although not much for the kids, they didn't starve however! Beach was amazing, always sunbeds available, also pool was fantastic with lots of sunbeds and umbrellas even at 10 o'clock. The entertainment team absolutely made our holiday they never stopped and the kids love them. There were different activities all the time with the Pool party being the best.
We had such a fantastic time that we are booking again for next year and our friends are coming too. Our kids haven't stopped talking about it and can't wait to return, neither can we!!!!

26 readers found this review helpful

We just got back from two weeks at the Caria yesterday. A group of 3 adults and 4 kids ranging from ages 10 - 14.
After having read some really vicious reviews before we left I don't think we knew what to expect.
You can't knock the scenery in the entire Sarigerme area. And staying at the Caria means you have the views wherever you look. So green, so mountainous, such clean beaches. For location the Caria gets top marks.
We also heard (during our stay) a couple complain about the miserable faces of the staff. We got constant smiles. No idea where that complaint came from. Communication could sometimes be tough, but was always easily resolved. Someone else with better English would be called over. So the 'staff don't speak English' complaint also so often given is totally unnecessary. We found all staff friendly, willing to help and polite.
We arrived just before lunch, but check-in wasn't until 3. So we were able to safely leave our luggage, get some info about the hotel from reception, and go to the restaurant. We were taken up to our 4th floor rooms with our luggage with the hotel van (thank god!).
Rooms are basic. Prices are basic, after all. But sound-proof. That's important when they're partying downstairs at 2am and there are little kids in bed. We were told at reception that we get bed changes twice a week and cleaning three times, but everyday my room was tidied, beds were made, bathroom cleaned and fresh towels given. So housekeeping scores 110%.
The pool at the Caria is fine. Shallow end not that shallow - about 1m 40 or something. But they have a baby pool. The edges are quite slippy so keep to the mats that are placed all around the pool. We never had to fight for a deck chair. There's animation everyday except monday starting at 10am for a couple of hours. This resumes in the afternoon. Our kids looked at these games with disdain when they first saw it, but even they joined in a few times over the course of our stay. The team itself must live on caffeine pellets.
Pity the waterpark is so far from the pool. It's a slightly uphill trudge to the 4 slides. Also a lot of talk about how dangerous the slides were, but I never hit the bottom and I weigh a lot more than a child. There was someone upstairs making sure the kids went one at a time when we arrived, but I don't think they're there all the time. Constant supervision at the top of the slides would be better. Great fun!
Food. Lots and lots of complaints. Lots and lots of non-complaints. I don't think the food deserves any stars, but it's all edible. I found breakfast the most soul-destroying! Not much choice and all the same. For a week I doubt you'd need to complain. If you stay there two weeks I think you could find the restaurant a chore. But I definitely don't think it deserves putting down too much. Our group with 4 kids always found something to eat that they liked and that's a damned miracle! Plates are removed as soon as they are finished with. Empty glasses swept away as soon as you've finished the last drop. So once again service scores high.
Then there's the stairs.... From now on I shall realise that if you book at a large hotel complex halfway up a mountain you must be prepared to stretch those calf muscles a bit. Just make sure you bring everything down with you in the morning. Or do as we did and send the kids! 4th floor not too bad. I wouldn't have wanted a room any higher.
Evening entertainment was Butlins at it's worst. But the animation team knew that when they were performing, which makes a big difference! Can be pretty X-rated for little ones, although the terrible accent makes a lot of the less tasteful phrases impossible to understand. We - being boring - lasted half a show and decided to leave it. The kids enjoyed a few more of them.
Drinks: Vodka. Gin. Raki. Extremely sweet kid's drinks. Pepsi. Pepsi light. Fanta. Sprite. Soda. Water. And that's it. No more. Fancy a cocktail? Have any one you like as long as it contains vodka, gin or raki or a combination of all three. Don't let the dusty Malibu and Bailey's bottles fool you. They were probably found on an archaeological dig somewhere.
The hotel shop is quite expensive compared to the shops in Sarigerme. For example 3 TL more for a pack of cigarettes. If you want to shop go to Sarigerme to boost the local economy. The village is dependent on tourism, they're not over-pushy (in most shops) and you can pretty much find in Sarigerme what you find all over the country as regards fakes, jewelry and leather goods. There's a market on Sunday. The only problem is that the Caria only send one bus to Sarigerme in the evening at 21:30 (5 min drive), and this returns at 23:30. To go home any later you need to shell out for a taxi. Buses go on the hour from Caria to the beach (only takes about 5m) and if you want to go to the village you have to get off the beach bus a bit early (just tell the driver 'village') and walk the 5 minutes into Sarigerme. Nice wide pavement, so don't worry about getting run over. From Sarigerme you can take the 'tractor' service free to the beach. It goes every 15 minutes.
Wow. The beach. Blue flag. Gorgeous. Caria cafe near the beach if you want to stay over for lunch (mind the wasps). Constant supply of vodka, gin or raki.
Sarigerme village is one street. It's full of shops, restaurants and bars. And tour agents. We're all glad we booked through Sarigerme Tour (first tour operator on the right hand side). We first heard of them through Sarigerme Net and other people's great reviews. Then we wrote mails to Basket Tours and Sarigerme Tours asking for info and Sarigerme Tour was the only one that answered. We ended up doing 7 trips, and two of them we had to book with Paypal beforehand. Absolutely safe. No tricks. No set ups. Extremely trustworthy company.
We booked two jeeps safaris. Kids crazy about them, and the guides were brilliant. Day trip to Tlos and Saklikent which Sarigerme Tour said might be a bit hard on the kids, but it wasn't. Our guide, again, absolutely brilliant. Day trip to Ephesus which again, Sarigerme Tour warned us wasn't kid friendly. They were right. Lots and lots of travelling. But at least we can say we've been there. And it is an amazing place. 12-island cruise: stunning trip. Very popular, and easy to see why. Dalaman mud baths and turtle beach: fun, slippery and got to see three turtles. I think if we ever go again we'll risk waking up at 6 for the Turtle watch trip. These creatures are incredible. And last the moonlight cruise. Shouldn't have taken the kids! They were too tired. But if you like lying on a boat watching stars (and shooting stars!) anchored in the middle of an unlit sea then it's a definite 'book me'! Not too many others with you, either. I think it's a maximum of 15 people and not half as popular as it should be! So thank you Sarigerme Tour for sending us on some amazing trips.
Review done. If I went back to Sarigerme I wouldn't use the Caria solely for the fact that I would like to be nearer to the beach. I felt a bit like a shut-in at night at the Caria. I totally recommend the hotel for families with younger children. Or those who prefer pool and sun. For someone who'd like a beach walk in the evening it's not the best choice, although the service has absolutely no reason for complaints in my opinion.

7 readers found this review helpful

We are just back from 10 great days staying at the Caria Holiday Resort. When we arrived at 1am in the morning the Hasan on reception was so friendly and couldn't do enough for us. The driver took us to our room on the 3rd street and put on the air conditioning and expalined where everything was. All the staff throughout our stay were so friendly and helpful except the guy in the shop who is very rude.
The Food was excellent with a great selection to suit most tastes including a bbq in the evening as well, heard a few very ignorant English people moan because they wanted a Fry up for breakfast and chips and burgers for lunch but think they should have gone to blackpool instead of turkey for their hols.
our accomodation was lovely and clean, maids made heart shapes with clean towels on our beds every day and a view to kill for. The best part of the holiday was the entertainment which was absolutely fantastic, Max and his group, Sisi, Endy, Kakay, Nina and the DJ were so good with the children and adults from 10am in the morning until 11.30 at night we just couldn't help but join in with activities in the pool as everyone was having so much fun. We even bought the club cd's as the music was additive.
Our Family of 4, kids 12 & 10 had the best holiday ever and I would recomend this holiday to families with children simalar age. Alot of steps but you are on the side of a mountain!!
Ryan Family

3 readers found this review helpful

Arrived 02:30 Tuesday 3rd August, reception area very nice(all marble and air con). Looking good! Taken to our room by minibus to the seventh level of this resort, Ideal for mountain goats and so was the room, cobwebs in the bedroom, living-room and bathroom. Water was dripping from the bathroom light fitting and the shower cubical was mouldy. The mini-bar Very small fridge didn't work and the spider in the wardrobe was the size of a small plate.
Myself and my 15 year old son returned to the reception area down the 200 steps and complained. They looked at the room and instantly issued us with another, great news until we opened the door of the new room and came face to face with a cockroach running across the living -room floor. The bathroom was in the same state as the first apartment, and this room only had three beds for myself, wife, 15 year old son and 11 year old daughter.
Bring on room number three this was clean, However the shower head was broken, water ran 24/7 down the toilet(the cistern was broken) the extract fan didn't work and the bedroom and front doors had been forced and the door jams had been smashed off. This is not by any means a 4 star resort, i have stayed in better camping barns. Around the pool was very slippy and in the week we stayed two slips resulted in a broken leg and a broken elbow. Food was good and the pool and kids entertainment where also very good. Only one member of staff covered the bar at lunch times and you waited up to 20 minutes for a drink. We enjoyed Turkey but never again in the Caria Holiday Resort.