Hotel Limak Lara

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We returned from a week in the Limak Lara Hotel on the 8th March 2010.
All was well on arrival but once in the cold light of day it was not quite as it seemed.
Ok so Turkey is the place to Holiday when you are German and Lara Beach is one of their favourite destinations, so it is all geared up for them.
The room was large with a nice walk in wardrobe and a large bathroom with Bath and Shower above. We had a King bed and a Single plus a sofa and chair. The cleaning of the room was non-existent – please see pictures . Despite mentioning this nothing was done. The dead bugs were not a nice decorative feature. Plus the women did not know how to use a Hoover, there were leaves on the floor, plus to see if she would notice I even put a biscuit on the floor, but no it was still there after she had “cleaned” and the next day it ended up under the dressing table. We could barely see through the patio doors for the hand smears and the balcony, when it was cleaned, was washed over with dirty water and left to dry. Also if you require a kettle do not get fobbed off by reception and charged 50 Euro deposit. We paid 20 Euros despite Stephanie our TC rep stating it would only be 10 Euros?!
On to the Main Buffet Restaurant, there was a large selection and we never did go hungry but putting together a “proper” meal wasn’t very easy, and we are not fussy eaters. I just don’t like the cold vegetables in sour mayonnaise that they seemed to have everywhere. But there was always the failsafe pizza and chips or pasta if you are really fussy. The Dessert selection was very nice, and there was also a choice of 2 soups for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was by far our favourite meal from fresh Omelettes and eggs, to cereals, jams and breads. Just remember it is a Muslim country so no Bacon or real Sausages! The main gripe we had with the buffet restaurant for Lunch and Dinner was the lack of service, we were never offered a drink, we always had to ask, or go up to a waiter and ask. This begins to grate a little when you see that all the Germans are being given top service and even had their drinks ready for them as they entered the Restaurants. I understand they tip as they go along but, when we receive good service we tip. I do not believe in tipping to receive good service.
Turkish Restaurant. Wasn’t overly impressed again through Service. We had to wait over an hour for our main course when everyone else on that same sitting had been served and was almost finished their desserts. Food was ok, but not fantastic as we would have expected. The Turkish meal we had in Side the other year was by far better quality.
Italian Restaurant. This was AMAZING. It was like actually eating in Italy. The food was gorgeous. I had the Steak and my Fiancé had the Lamb and they both just melted in your mouth as did the pasta. If we could have ate there every night we would of, worth every penny of the 9 Euro PP cover charge. Service was also 2nd to none it was nice to actually be asked questions and feel like you are on holiday instead of unwelcome and in the way.
We had a fabulous couples massage in the Spa, well worth the 80 Euros for an hour for 2. Indoor pool was nice but it was usually very cold, which was disappointing. Also we had to keep asking for the slide to be put on and each time we did it was like asking for the moon. Come on we are on holiday, please can we have some fun? As soon as it was put on people would just appear like they have been waiting for ages so it wasn’t like there was no demand for it. The steam room was good as was the Sauna & Turkish bath.
Outside there was, as you can imagine for this time of year, lots of work going on but nothing too bad, that would actually put you off catching some sunshine & there was always plenty of sunbeds. Also if you were lucky the man with the drink trolley may come round to you and serve you drinks right to your sunbeds which was a very nice touch, and unexpected in Winter Season.
We walked along the beach a couple of times which was pleasant put as there is a lot of construction happening along the strip, the beach was littered with rubbish, so it is not as clean as you may have imaged. There was also a number of Jelly Fish along the beach?!
We visited Mardan Palace Hotel (the only 7 star hotel in Europe, I believe) one day and were also a little disappointed although it is Beautiful and huge, the rooms are a little small. You do not get to see very much on the organised tour except the rooms, pool and main reception. Also the little Zoo is a little upsetting as the animals are kept in such small spaces; it was not nice to see.
On the positive side after speaking to a few other couples, it seems or Cleaning Issues were just isolated to our floor (we stayed in room 1120) as the floor above said there rooms were spotlessly clean and they even received towel art and flowers from their cleaner. We didn’t pay very much for our little winter break but cleanliness to a certain level I do expect.