Asena Beach Hotel

I read all the reports about the hotel and area and they seemed to be good.
However, other people’s ideas are not always your own! I thought the resort far too commercial a typical Brits holiday destination, karaoke, SKY TV etc, The Hotel Asena was smack bang in the middle of all the noise!
I thought the hotel was clean but room too small and only one bedside cabinet and one electrical plug, no shelves and no fan in the bathroom!! Which would have been good considering we got the tummy bug!
Balcony looked onto two large trees.
Worst were the bar staff I walked round the pool first morning and some young arrogant idiot pretended to push me in, they were far too familiar and cocky.
We spent the rest of the two weeks in another hotel during the day. The Mavruka lovely clean, new staff nice.
Olu Deniz itself is a pretty place and thank god for the Buzz Bar where the food, and music was great! The rest of the time we struggled with trying to eat good food for two weeks.
Overall too commercial, some Turks very nice other far too familiar would I go back not to Olu Deniz.

1 reader found this review helpful

Being a non-stayer in hotels (self-catering with family) I only chose a hotel as I was going away myself. I was not expecting such a high standard from a 3 star hotel. For the cost it was fantastic, and I can see why it gets such a high rating. I loved the food.
I was expecting to eat out expecting relatively ordinary food for the cost, but never did. The choice was amazing. Hot food had sufficient Turkish slant without in my opinion offending those Brits who prefer to eat as if at home. Kebabs, curries, stews, roasted meats. Loads of salads, desserts, and fresh fruit.
Breakfast (which some reviewers found strange) was only strange for its extra wide choice of items (incl. some Turkish things again but how lucky). Staff great, pool excellent. Evening entertainments for those who like (not my first choice but not compulsory - though once there hard to refuse - ended up having to belly-dance to audiences amusement.
Exceptionally clean rooms, good central location. Some people though I heard complain about the same things I liked e.g. food - I tell you though, I'm quite a consumer complainer when it comes to unsatisfactory purchases etc. and this place was good (unless you are made to pay over the odds by some travel company).
You'll find additional purchases (drink etc.) not that cheap but I guess they have to make money somewhere. Helped make my holiday (Olu Deniz location is great (apart from too many people from my own country - Brits - with too many British restaurant menus) but so much to do there.

Could not rate this hotel high enough. A very clean place the rooms are immaculate with the cleaners changing the bedding every day. The staff all speak English to an acceptable level and are pleasant.
Saying that there is a BIG PROBLEM for those just wanting to laze round the pool, the staff are very annoying!! You could be a sleep in the sun when your suddenly blasted with a super soaker, or you could be walking along the side of the pool when you suddenly get pushed in.

Then other staff from the restaurant's walk around and will stop to talk to you, which is ok but they are trying to get you to eat in their restaurant and one comes along literally every 15 minutes. Basically if you like to relax by the pool you can't. Young girls are also constantly chatted up by the pool staff to an annoying degree. I heard many quests complain about the staff at the pool side to each other. Don't get me wrong they are all helpful, pleasant and polite.
I will go back if I cant find somewhere similar but the pool staff could put me off. I heard some say they wouldn't return because of the staff at the pool.

My fiancé and I went to the Asena Beach Hotel in July 07.
I have been to Turkey a few times before but this was my fiancés first time there.
I have always loved Turkey. I had been to Icmeler but never Olu Deniz. This holiday was by far the best we have both ever had and my fiancé is now a Turkey convert!!!
I would recommend Olu Deniz and especially the Asena Beach hotel to anyone! The hotel itself is absolutely beautiful, the rooms are spotless (they are cleaned everyday), the grounds of the hotel are gorgeous, beautiful gardens leading down to the pool area.
The back drop is breath taking as you are surrounded by mountains and as you lie relaxing you can't help but thinking that this is one of the most beautiful places you have been to.

As for the staff at the Asena Beach... what can I say they with out a doubt made our holiday! I can’t even express how brilliant they are! Me & my boyfriend had such good fun with them especially the pool bar staff who are exceptional, whether it was dancing or playing games in the pool or going to all of the pool/terrace bar nights or going clubbing with them.
Everyday they are full of energy and fun. We just didn't stop laughing for 2 weeks!
We try not to go back to the same place twice but we are without question going back to Asena Beach next year... Can't wait!

We have just come back from a 2 week holiday on a half board basis with Airtours from East Midlands & can honestly say it was a perfect family holiday.
I have 2 girls aged 16 & 12, the 16 year old revelled in the friendly atmosphere & easy location to the main strip, the 12 year old met a friend of the same age.
The staff at the Asena Beach made the holiday from the catering staff to the cleaners as they were so interactive, almost to the tune of being holiday makers.
Dancing at the pool or in the evenings, swimming or playing water polo or volleyball & generally getting involved with people, they were just FANTASTIC, quite the best I have ever come across, it was like one big family.
The resort is very safe & well marshalled by the local gendarmerie, I saw no unruly behaviour or heard of any sort of crime. All the people we met were just so friendly, whether you were trading with them or not!
The weather was hot, getting above 50c on several days but the air conditioned rooms were refuge from the peak times. The food was buffet style with plenty of variety & was an upgrade option if you wished for £72 for 14 nights. the quality was excellent.
We may return but more likely when it is a little cooler! Don't hesitate...GO.

Absolutely perfect. Right in the heart of Olu Deniz where there is everything you could possibly need. Many bars and restaurants and a few clubs plus the advantage of being a taxi ride away from many clubs.
Me and 3 girlfriends had so much fun. The hotel is ideal for everyone, families (they have kids club etc), couples, and young groups. The staff were flawless, always helpful and friendly and really go out of their way to make everyone happy.
The hotel was clean and spacious. The maids were great. Food was gorgeous, something different and exciting every night! Great entertainment. I couldn’t rate this any higher if I tried!!!!
The hotel is lively and the staff will stay up as late as you want!!! But not to the point where you cant get an early night if you wanted. The hotel really is great for all sorts, whether you want a partying holiday or just a relaxing break. I want to go back!!!

Fantastic and very enjoyable holiday and Asena Beach was definitely the best hotel in the entire resort.
Room: Small, but not too small, very cosy. The air conditioner works great, and a few times we had to wake up and turn it up because we were so cold, so staying cool and comfortable in the room is not an issue. The mini-bar had very reasonable prices (although we didn't use it) and there was even some extra space which helps for storing bottled water.
Resort: A visually stunning resort, with excellent open air design and easy to navigate areas. The pool was particularly of interest, as we visited several other resorts in both Olu Deniz and Hisaronu, and noticed that compared to Asena Beach, the pools were quite small and simple in design. Activities at the pool were sporadic but include immensely fun water polo. Everything is nearby and easy to access, and there are more than enough things to do - pool, table tennis, and even giant chess!
Service: Service was polite, prompt, and very friendly. You are given a charge card (although you can pay with cash should you need too) that makes buying anything from the hotel easy and swift. Swipe and sign. You are also given the option to pay off any outstanding debt to the hotel at any time and in any increment you desire, although it is more common to simply pay at the end, this allows you peace of mind should you so desire it. Service for food was fantastic, the cooks are quite happy to recommend a dish to you
Staff: This is the highlight of the hotel, the staff are hilarious! They love to dance and laugh with you as they (sometimes along with you!) join in the fun during evening entertainment and also joke and play with you at the pool. They are always smiley and encourage you to enjoy your stay to the fullest. Worried about language barrier? Not a problem at all. The staff speak excellent English (very impressive given some of the heavier Turkish accents) and are perfectly happy to do anything for you, even at 2 in the morning.
There were two exceptions but nothing serious enough to note. The hotel has a professional photographer that takes pictures daily and is rather hilarious, but perhaps overly flirtatious with younger women. You can see his excellent photos at the pool.
Food: Breakfast is mild, dull, and the food is generally not very good at breakfast. Our primary choice of food was a meat pastry, some bread, and maybe some sausages, otherwise choice is slim and limited. The fresh orange juice is delicious however! Lunch can be purchased from the pool bar, and is very tasty (I recommend the burgers!) and reasonably priced.
Dinner is excellent, buffet style, and served on a lovely terrace with a breath taking view of the surrounding mountains. This terrace is where the evening entertainment is, in the form of Belly Dancing (Turkish Night - with a chance to join in the fun), Break Dancers, A Raffle, Music, and dancing waiters! Half Board is definitely the way to go, as (although we neglected to try it) the Chinese restaurant was nearly empty most nights and seemed rather dull anyway.
The food at dinner is very tasty, although if you do not take well to salad items and vegetables, you may find yourself feeling cheated, as the dishes are sometimes far too heavy with vegetables and not enough meat. For example beef-casserole contained 90% vegetables and 10% beef per scoop.
Surrounding Area: Asena Beach is the most well placed hotel in Olu Deniz. It is seconds away from the main strip of shops, only a few minutes’ walk to the beach, and a decent walking distance from the lagoon. It is also very close to the main road (where the busses run) and taxi stands should you choose to travel by those means. You can even get a camel! There is a small supermarket built into the hotel that sells lots of goodies, essentials, and even some inflatable pool floats. The Turkish have a sweet tooth, so if you do too, you won’t be missing anything. Be sure to pick up a book of basic Turkish if you go, as the staff LOVE to try and help you learn a few phrases.
Overall: Asena Beach is the best and most enjoyable holiday I have ever had in my life. It was my first time in Turkey and already I am planning to return to the very same hotel. I cannot recommend it enough and hope you choose to go because you will love every instant of it. A fantastic place to stay.

We have been to this hotel for six years and have three children
Just been back was fantastic can not fault any think perfect holiday hotel is very clean and has just been refurbished. We have family suite great size and very spacious food lovely always some think for every one even child’s menu.
Staff superb, couldn’t get better pool great size fantastic scenery as you sun bathe lots of entertainment night and day.

Would take allot of beating to do better.

Olu Deniz is the most beautiful place I have ever been too. I went with my parents and my brother for 2 weeks and enjoyed every moment of it.
We arrived early hours and the staff were amazing! Every morning the breakfast was lovely and a vast variety to choose from. The Staff by the pool were brilliant, Ertash was a fantastic member of staff, he knew my parents from the year before and was always happy to help.
The only thing I weren’t too keen on was the drive from Dalaman to Olu Deniz, going through the mountains was quite scary, but hopefully they will have the road straight through the mountains soon :-)
My parents and brother are going back this August and me and my Fiancé will also be going, it will be his first time on holiday and I am sure he will love it!

Arrived in the early hours of the morning, reception staff were quick & efficient in registering us in.
More assistance with luggage would have been a benefit.
Found the credit card system excellent for purchasing food and drinks, however, if you have teenagers in the group, close monitoring of their "spend" would be advisable.
The staff were predominately male and very friendly, perhaps sometimes "over friendly" towards our teenage girls. A stern word in their ear would address the situation but again be vigilant.
Selection of food for breakfast was limited and the pastries were not re-stocked if you attended breakfast late.
The selection of food for the evening buffet was good. Lunch around the pool bar was always fun.
The only negative was that certain "features" of the hotel were not available due to October being the end of season and this was not made clear in the brochure, for example: No day/evening entertainment and the Chinese restaurant had been closed for the season.
This aside the holiday was enjoyable, the surrounding bars and restaurants clean, friendly and fun. We will be re-visiting in 2007.