Arum Hotel and Apartments - Side - Turkey

This was our first time to Turkey, and we really weren’t sure what to expect in comparison to our usual haunts - the various Canaries. I can only say therefore it was a fantastic surprise.

First off, we wanted self catering, but now you can only stay at a minimum BB as the apartments now only have a fridge and kettle, there are no cooking or (food) storage facilities, and as we like to eat out every night we didn’t want to go all-inclusive. That said the apartments are excellent, virtually the same as any hotel room you’d find, two bedroomed in our case, a massive king size and two twin beds, with a massive shower. We got a sea/pool view balcony on the top floor and it couldn’t have been better. I also can’t say that the hotel was much below a UK 5-star if at all, so presumably the refurbs have taken care of any previous deficiencies?

We found the hotel was kept absolutely immaculately, both our room, which had fresh towels and was cleaned every day, and the hotel itself where one day we even saw a porter with dust pan and brush cleaning the access road! Whether this is because being focused towards German tourists that higher standards are demanded, or if this is indicative of Turkey in general I don’t know, but a huge thumbs up from us.

There was no sunbed issue, with more than enough for everyone, and loads more stored beside the kids club for when it gets busier. The beach section for the Arum in fairness is one of the poorest, although if all you’re doing is lying in the sun then there’s no issue, but if you want to go in the water you need to head further along the beach, as the Arum’s section is rocky. We only ate breakfast and at the snack bar for lunch sometimes, and can again only give both top marks.

The negatives - first off the price of drink, which was 5 TL for a 300ml beer, whereas throughout the resort it’s generally 4 TL for a pint (500ml), by the end of our two weeks they’d even cut the happy hour back for 70 mintues to 45 minutes. So as a result we didn’t drink much in the hotel as we normally would, maybe no bad thing
Secondly, this was Easter fortnight, but despite the recommendations coming out as ideal for families with teens, I would disagree and actually thought it was best for older couples and families with young kids, of which there were many. Our two (13 16) were about the only teenagers there during our time, and as a result they were at times bored, despite making use of the pools, slides, beach, Gym and of course the internet.

Finally entertainment, not a lot going on for the British as other reviewers have said, so you do need to head out every night.

Stayed here? Add a comment below with your opinion to help other travellers to this destination.