Maritim Hotel Grand Azur

We went to Turkey for a short break (1 week) before the real holiday season got underway. This was obvious in Marmaris by the lack of lots of people, which I am assured by my Daughters, happens around next week! We stayed in the 4* Blue Bays Deluxe for 4 days - OK but not up to our usual standard. Far better than Egypt!! Then we moved to the 5* Grand Azur. Star ratings seem to be different in Turkey than elsewhere, but this Hotel was excellent. Good food, not too dear on the drinks, well situated for the town, but far enough from the noise. Get a seaview room if you can afford it - slight noise from the road. Good choice of wines and not too expensive (unlike Egypt!!). Everything you could want for breakfast, EXCEPT decent bacon!! I recommend this hotel to anyone.

I have stayed at this hotel two times and this summer will be the third. it is a superb grand hotel. You are looked after the minute you step off the coach. Staff can't do enough for you. The location is great, It is peaceful but if you walk along the bech front for around 10 minutes you would hit the nght life of Marmaris. This is the best hotel iv'e stayed in.

After reading some of the reviews for this hotel, we were not sure what to expect! However, we had a great time and the advice to book a sea view was really worthwhile, as the sea view rooms and balconies were massive. The rooms and everyhting in the hotel was scrupulously clean. The grounds were immaculate and very well tendered. Food was good and the choice was also very good. The location was good too as there was a nice walk along the prom in both directions to find bars and entertainment. The private beach was a bonus, and if anyone tried to muscle in here, security were quick to respond. There were however one or two small niggles, which were not up to 5* standard. Namely, you should not have to pay extra for mattreses at the pool and similarly, you should not have to pay £1 extra for fresh orange juice at breakfast. The price of drinks was expensive by any standard - cost of a small beer (30cl) was £2+, whereas 100 m down the prom in a very nice bar it was just over a £1 for a pint. As we had been used to Spanish measures for 'shorts', we were very disappointed when a 'British' measure appeared for almost twice the price we paid in England. As we went last week of the 'season', there was no entertainment in the hotel in the evening, so we were forced to look for our own, which was not a bad thing, as we found one or two 'wild' bars with decent music. Overall, we had a very good week and the staff were superb and very friendly. There was no need to tip them as seems to be the custom elsewhere and they really made an effort. Coupled with this, we had a good flight and Dalaman airport saw the fastest baggage collection ever. I would think twice about going again - there are much better places (Canaries) for the same money.

We booked a week here independently (flights; XL and Findmeaccom.com for hotel, transfers; Transfer Only.com) from Oct 16th -23rd. Having previously stayed at two excellent Iberostars ;Creta Panorama on Crete and Panorama Kipriotis on Kos ,in previous years, expectations were running high. On the positive; the hotel areas and pools are clean. Sheets are clean and beds are comfortable. Mini bar and room service we thought were very reasonable.The view from our 4th floor room (No. 445) was the best view we'd ever had in a hotel ! Staff were pleasant enough (but we did not find the receptionists overly helpful). The hotel shops were reasonable in their prices (even cheaper than the bizarre in Marmaris in some cases - though we were at the end of the season). Food was varied and hot. There is an excellent beach bar which was reasonably priced (you may have to ask for the kids menu though as it is not always given you) and both the food and the views here were very good indeed. On the negative; be warned - room 445 does have twin beds, and so do many of the rooms on the 4th floor - however, determined to stick to our wonderful view (don't expect to get a sea view below the forth floor as there are too many trees !) these were easily pushed together for us, by housekeeping, and was no longer an issue. The food was good, but not to the standard in either quality ,or variety, that we had experienced in the 4* Iberostar Creta Panorama in Crete (and being 5* quite frankly we were expecting much better !). The hotel room was clean, but was a little dated, particularly the bathroom where the floor tiles were stained and finish of tiling poor. Ferral cats were another issue in the outdoor dinnig area - not helped by a small minority of guests actively encouraging them by feeding them at the table - really Iberostar should do more to tackle this problem (its not the first hotel of theirs where we have seen this). The hotel boasts a very impressive water chute running from the outdoor to the indoor pool - however this was only running one day in our seven day visit (despite repeated requests from my son to turn it on). I must point out that this was probably a blessing, as it would not pass any UK safety standards; being lined by concrete and hard rocks from top to bottom - the potential for children to knock themselves unconscious before hitting the plunge pool at the bottom was quite frightening ! As it was, the surface of the chute was painted concrete, which was wearing badly and on our visit and our son picked up a number of nasty grazes to his chest ,back and arms. This coupled with the lazy river's decapitating bridges (!) should lead to a total redesign of the whole pool area - the concepts are good but safety has not been a priority. There are also no toilets near the pool or beach bar area - the nearest being back in the main hotel - not good if you have young kids !! The indoor pool is nice, but very dimly lit for the duration of our stay, though it was occasionally heated to quite a reasonable temperature on an adhoc basis (it would have been nice if they had heated the outdoor pool to the same temperature as a permenant feature !) Other reviews have said this is the best hotel in Marmaris - I wouldn't doubt it ..(though are a few newer looking ones further out on the Icmeler road, that look like they'd give it a run for its money ). If you are an Iberostar addict though, you could be a little disappointed with this one, given its 5* status.....maybe it is just a cultural difference.... but Iberostar I'm sure you could do much better.

My good friend and I decided on a whim to book something last minute – we both felt like we needed a break and after scouring through the teletext ads we happened upon Sun Star leisure who were offering amazing deals to all destinations. I gave them a bell and asked specifically for this hotel and they had it – not only that they were able to get us flights, in flight meal, coach transfers, 7nights HB for £325 each which I think was an absolute bargain. Rooms - impeccable, everything you would expect for a 5* standard room - we got a free upgrade to sea view room on our first night. - Cleaned twice a day with fresh towels, fresh linen,etc...(ps - there's a couple of supermarkets within 5-10mins walking distance which is where we bought all of our bottled water - if we had forgoton to, the maids used to put our bottles of water in the fridge for us - at no extra charge, the same for any chocolate or anything like that which we may have forgotton to put away)! Food - Everything - and I mean everything was cooked to order in front of you - There was an incredible choice of foods available - catered for meat eaters as well as vegetarians. This was probably the best part of the Grand Azure - You cannot fault the food and drinks at all. You could not get bored, the variety of meats, vegatables, fruits, cereals, breads, just absolute everything was to die for! And the fact it was all prepared right in front of you was out of this world. Staff - Staff were very, very friendly and accommodating - nothing was too much, and I can be demanding at times but everything and everyone was treated with respect with a cheerful/happy demeanor - we happened to bump into the manager a few days into our holiday and he was absolutely charming - I think he was Swiss, very friendly and seemed genuinely interested in what we thought of his hotel. Excellent customer service all round. Beach - They have their own private golden sandy beach which was lovely - Not overcrowded at all. There was a security presence there to ensure that it was only paying guests using the sun loungers and things on the beach - They weren't imposing at all and were a welcome but mainly unnoticed presence. We had sun beds at anytime of the day - no waiting around. Drinks were bought to us whilst we were sunbathing at no extra charge. Entertainment - They had great acts on every night during dinner and on our last night we got chatting to the soul singer who was performing and he turned out to be from South London like us! Shopping - – Turkey is absolutely brilliant if you like me you’re into your designer handbags but can’t justify really spending £500-600 on a Fendi or Chanel – come to Turkey and you can pick these up at incredible prices if you know where to look! I also picked up some prada and lacoste trainers which were great but you shouldn’t try to haggle too much as the shop keepers can turn on you if they think you’re trying to take the mick – which is fair enough. I went with a friend who is also a girl and we didn’t really appreciate the banter on the streets from the men but from what I understand that’s just how they are so you just need to put up with it really and move swiftly on to the next shop if it all gets a bit too much. To sum up – if you see any and I mean any offers for this place snap it up you will not be disappointed – get chatting to the hotel staff and they will tell you when and where the best markets are, where the best bars and clubs are if you fancy heading into the main harbor. We only ventured out a couple of times to be honest because everything was just too great at the hotel we just didn’t want to leave!

As like other reviewers we loved the grounds and the pool area, very pretty; with the staff being genuiningly friendly and helpful. The rooms do not look as if they've been redecorated since the opening 10 years ago. That is not to mean they are poor but are starting to become a bit 'tired' looking. Not dirty, just ware and tear over time is taking its toll. The decor throught out the hotel is blue, and sades thereof. A richer, warmer and more welcoming burgundy would be more suitable to our tastes. Old fashioned aren't we! The primary problem this hotel is one that I have not seen mentioned by any body here. If you do not like cats, do NOT go to this hotel! The hotel proports itself as a Street Cat Sanctuary. With the "Grand Azur Cat House" decked out in Iberostar/Grand Azur colours less than 10 meters from the restuarant this means that we had cats running around at breakfast and evening mean times. Begging, running under tables, laying on chairs during the heat of midday, fighting over food given by guests and generally being cat mischievous with hand bag straps. Tis is fine if you like cats, but cats creep my wife out and I consider them a hygene problem when around food. We spent our meal times inside; however, that defeats the ambiance of the under the stars evening meal, plus you do not enjoy the musical entertainment that is performed outside. Unfortunately the beech bar is also home to the cats as well. We had made official compaints to our tour operator and hotel, especially as their immediate reply was to blame the guests for feeding the cats. This excuse does not hold water as with no cats begets no feeding... No other hotel either side is afflicted. This is a problem that will only get worse if it remains unaddressed, and I hope it will be addressed asap. When it is I will be happy to book another holiday at the Grand Azur.

Our stay at the Grand Azur just shows the value of looking at this site before you book your holiday! We were very impressed with the favourable reviews we read about the hotel and having just returned from a two week stay we can now add our recommendation. We arrived at the Grand Azur in the early hours of the morning following a long delay to be absolutely overwhelmed by the splendour of the reception area and the very warm welcome from the reception staff. Even though the restaurant was closed, we were offered a meal and a drink which was just what we needed after such a long day! We had two rooms, both of which were comfortable, extremely clean and very cool (the air conditioning was very welcome). Rooms were cleaned on a daily basis to a high standard. The food was excellent, with a wide selection freshly cooked in front of you, both at breakfast time and in the evening. Three children aged 9 to 15 all ate to their hearts content, as did the adults and we all loved eating outside in the open air restaurant overlooking the pool and gardens. The food was so good, that even though we were half board, we ended up eating at the hotel's beach bar most lunch times. Staff too were excellent, you couldn't fault them - they were friendly, helpful and very welcoming. One member of staff on reception was particularly helpful in recovering lost luggage for us - nothing was too much trouble! The pool and the grounds were outstanding, immaculately kept with a "lazy river" and slide going down into the indoor pool. The Animation staff (entertainment team) were great, keeping us occupied with darts and water volleyball and the shows on several evenings were entertaining! If you get chance, try out the Turkish shave (very relaxing!!!) and the Foam and Scrub massage in the hotel spa. One thing we would recommend is hiring your own gulet - we went to Marmaris port and chartered a boat all to ourselves for the day - well worth the extra money compared to a trip on one of the many boats which cram on up to 90 people every day. It's certainly the most relaxing way to see the coastline. The location of the Grand Azur is fabulous and you could tell we were staying at the best hotel in Marmaris. In the evening bars to either side of the hotel are very lively and all competing for your attention. There's no doubt you get hassled to eat at every restaurant you pass, but if you say "no thanks" you don't get any trouble. We found the beach bar at the hotel to be a little oasis, with a group playing live music every evening. Finally, it's a great shame about the bombings last week because we had a great holiday and before we left we said we'd like to go back next year.

The only thing 5 star about this hotel is the immacculate grounds and the pool...that's about where it ends. The rooms are a decent size and clean, but could use a make over. What really disappointed us, in fact it ruined our holiday, was that the hotel turned the airconditioning off at night. We woke up the first night sweating and thought the air con must have broken down. We asked the front desk in the morning and they said they would look into it. The same thing happened the 2nd night, so we asked again the next morning. This time they said it was due to "maintenance". So when it happened again the 3rd night, we went to the front desk at 4am to complain and they told us the aircon is turned off every night to give it a "rest". So the maintenance story was a complete lie. We called for the hotel manager to ask him what 5 star hotel in the world would turn off the aircon each night, cleary a penny pinching exercise. The manager could not speak a word of English so the front desk had to translate. The hotel manager told us the aircon is turned off to prevent "Legionaires Disease"...now we had heard it all. We paid almost USD200 per night for this experience. Add to that, we were half board which did not inclue any drinks. One night we had a beer and a coke each at dinner and then got a phone call at 11pm (we were asleep) asking us where the signed form was that we left on the table at the end of the night (for a total of about $5). The final frustration was at breakfast. Every morning when I left my table to get some food from the buffet, my table would be cleared and given to someone else (despite the fact I had a coffee and other bits and pieces on the table) so when I returned to my table my coffee was gone not to mention my table. One morning this happened twice!! Based on the aircon con alone, this is no more than a 3 star hotel. You have been warned!

Absolutely amazing stay. Hotel is lovely. Rooms are clean and comfortable. Bathroom is slightly dated but fitted with modern shower and sink etc. Sea view rooms are definitely worth getting, the view is beautiful overlooking the pool and the sea, with mountains in the background. People are friendly. The hotel is currently changing management - this may be a good thing. Current management is very rigid and not flexible, however the staff make up for this and generally try their best to make your stay a good one. We arrived at 6am the first morning, having already paid for the previous night so that we could check into our rooms immediately. We had therefore paid for our dinner the previous night but obviously could not make it. One would normally assume that if your return flight is a late one (4am inthe morning), they would then offer us a meal on the last night. But no, they would not agree and insisted we paid. We decided not to eat at the hotel. Not the best way to end your stay but like i said, rigid management. Very money driven and will try and charge you for everything. The turkish bath in the hotel was good. Although again, they will try and rip you off. They have price lists which are aimed at foreigners and really overpriced. you have to haggle with them. If you want a turkish bath, aromatherapy massage and facial, do not pay more than 60 Lira, they will try and charge you 60 Euros if you dont negotiate. Marmaris is full of tourists, but the hotel is definitely the best in Marmaris and you meet good people there. Conveniently located in front of the pontoon from which boat trips set off. Definitely would recommend a trip to Dalyan. Again pay no more than 18 Lira. We also paid a taxi driver to take us to some more 'turkish' local spots. Spent the whole day and saw some really beautiful places. Otherwise Marmaris tends to lack culture. All in all a great stay. Great weather although you do need an airconditioned car! Evenings are pleasant and not humid at all. Would recommend this hotel for sure!

Hi we have just got back from a 12 day stay for our honeymoon. We took our 1 yr old son too. Couldnt fault the rooms at all, had wine, flowers, fruit and chocs left for the special occasion in the room which was a lovely touch. Loved the pool area especially the lazy river ride, plenty of room either round the pool or on the grass. Also loved the private beach the sunbeds were really spaced out unlike the main beach so it felt more private. The food was delicious we usually eat out in resort to try different places but the food was so good we stayed there, different every night and so much choice. The only point was the waiters werent very friendly and we had to wait ages every night for a high chair for my son. The location was brilliant. The centre of Marmaris is about 2 kms away but the walk along the promenade is lovely the setting is beautiful and there are many bars and restaurants along there. We only went right into the centre once on the night as it was a bit too busy for us but the prom is ideal. The centre is good during the day for shops and the old town is quaint for a wander round There is also a kids play area which my son enjoyed as he could run around it.