The hotel driver took us to Kiris, the hotel is simpler there, but the food is quite decent, the beach is normal, so we had a good first day, we also walked around Kiris. And in the morning the next day after the beach, they asked us to send us back, and after 15 minutes we were taken to Kemer.
We were given a room, as we wanted, with a view of the mountains and the city, so that we could hear less noise near the pool. Although this did not save us from the roosters, and the muezzin from the mosque. It took a few days to get used to them. And the thin walls, which many people write about, sometimes caused discomfort. Cleaned every day, linen and towels changed as expected. For some reason there was no hair balm, only shampoo and shower gel.
We liked the food, a lot of different fruits, always delicious fish, poultry, all kinds of lamb meatballs. Salads, greens, everything was enough. A lot of desserts, though we rarely ate them, because. not lovers. Of course, there was no seafood, only once a salad with squid. But for this money, no one expected them.
We only went to the pebble beach, we didn't like the second one. It takes about 12 minutes to go to the pebble beach along a beautiful alley, the road was only a joy for us, in October there is no longer a scorching sun, so you walk for pleasure. It is difficult for many people to enter the sea without special shoes, but we, accustomed to pebble beaches, entered without difficulty.
In general, we were satisfied with the hotel and the rest in general.
Pros:
+ neat room
+ good quality food
+ the sea is clean on the territory allocated to the hotel
+ free hammam
+ cleaning every day
Minuses:
- thin walls - you can hear everything from your neighbors
- there is no territory. Small pool in the courtyard and all
- almost no animation
- the food is delicious, but the number of positions is very modest
- sooooo weak wi-fi in the lobby, and if you want normal, then 3 euros per day
- iron is not provided, only laundry service (3 euros - T-shirt, 5 euros - dress)
- 8-10 minutes walk to the beach
Upon arrival at the hotel, the temperature was measured at the entrance and the staff was wearing masks. There were sanitizers and hand wipes on every corner. We arrived close to dinner so we were seated immediately.
Registration at the hotel takes place in the form of filling out 2 questionnaires. The first with personal data and registration number on the Turkish website, and the second with a survey on Covid-19 with recommendations. They also gave out cards for towels to the beach (only you need to get them at the spa, not on the beach) and information about the rules of the hotel. I recommend reading it as soon as possible.
The room is medium in size, quite cozy with a large bed and a chair-bed for a child. There was also a cupboard with a refrigerator (in a closed cupboard, it was very hot in this section of the cupboard) and a safe (extra charge - 3 € per day), bedside tables, a shelf and an ottoman, a TV (about 70 channels in German, Russian and Turkish ), a mirror in the room and on the closet doors. There was also a balcony with 2 chairs, a table and a primitive dryer for swimsuits overlooking the unfinished hotel (all the rooms were occupied in the hotel and there was no other, but there was a shadow in the room for most of the day). But it was so hot on the balcony that it was not very pleasant to sit even at night. The bathroom is of a normal size with a washbasin, hair dryer, toilet and a small tub in a cubicle. In the shower, the cubicle did not close tightly even with a magnetic tape on the edges and all the water poured onto the floor. Taking a shower was very problematic, or rather impossible. My husband quickly fixed it, because. does not forget to carry a multitool with him, spent 5 minutes on it.
Somehow, the economic hand of the entire hotel was not felt - the door handles were loose, the ventilation was hanging, the cabinet doors did not close tightly and the light switches were organized a little incomprehensibly (2 switches worked and one, the bedside switch - only one turned off the light in the corridor), when he flew away no one even moved the umbrella behind the fence - at the same time, several waiters were told that the periodic cicada stuck in the pool drain lay there for the entire period of our stay (and this is not a small midge).
The food is fully consistent with the requirements of a 5-star hotel. A good selection of dishes, different options for meat, chicken, fish, salads, starters, sauces, desserts and sweets, there were even fruits. Every day the menu was a little different, but at the same time all the main items were presented. Grilled dishes for dinner in the evening. The food was served by waiters in full gear, masks and gloves. Also very quickly the young men cleaned the tables (with disinfection) and dishes in the halls and on the street. It happened several times that I had to stop and ask for the return of sweets. In general, you need to watch your plates. For lunch and dinner, white and red wine were always poured. At lunch, it was always the first, though one thing. But very tasty. There were snacks between breakfast and lunch, as well as lunch and dinner. You can also always drink tea, coffee and juices. The bar in the lobby and near the pool was constantly working.
Always available bottled water of 200 ml in transparent plastic cups.
I single out the air conditioning of the room in a separate paragraph. The rooms do not have an air conditioner control panel (nailed to the wall and wired). The temperature is set to 18 degrees and with a constant air flow. I had to get up 4 times the first night to turn it on and off. After insistent demand (I reminded several times during the day) to unlock the air conditioning control system, it turned out that the air temperature was somehow regulated in the entire hotel in the rooms with the help of an employee. And for exactly one night, the control panel showed a temperature of 23 degrees and the wind was more or less comfortable. The next day the display shows 23 degrees and the air 18 degrees. Visitors repeatedly complained about the air conditioners. But the result remained the same.
By the way, it is not advisable to leave the card in the room for the air conditioner to work - the cleaner picks them up and gives them to the reception.
Room cleaning is good. No obvious dirt or flaws were found. Several times they made beautiful figures from towels. Shampoos, shower gels, soaps, and sometimes ear sticks or kleniks were reported in the right amount.
Animation during the day took place near the pool. Yoga at 10 a. m. , darts at 11 a. m. , aqua aerobics at 12 p. m. , water polo at 2:30 p. m. , water aerobics at 3 p. m. with water sticks (pasta), darts at 3:30 p. m. , dancing at 4:30 p. m. music, disco, etc. Yoga, aqua aerobics and dancing were conducted by a pretty and very lively trainer Tatyana. Always positive. But the darts and water floor coach, an elderly Turk, is rude and impudent. It can incorrectly count points and generally forget the results of the game, and that it is generally still ongoing. Quite often, not very well, or rather rudely joked with hotel visitors and made indecent comments about their appearance and racial affiliation. In general, a big child who is trying to be cool in the eyes of normal and adequate visitors.
Children's animation takes place during the day according to the schedule in the mini-club. Drawing, soap making and decorating pencil cases, T-shirts and bags for change of shoes (with additional payment for materials), watching cartoons, playing games with charming Julia. And in the evening a cheerful and very incendiary disco.
For some reason, you need to order breakfast to go with an early departure. It's in the rules, of course. But for 5 stars - you can offer it in advance or remind. To make your guests feel cared for.
To be honest, I forgot to order. But by the look of the prepared breakfasts, the neighbors put buns and fruit in a small paper vessel with a lid.
There are 2 beaches in this hotel. One is sandy, the second is pebbly. There is a scheduled shuttle to both beaches and there are no free drinks and snacks in the bars. Only everything is paid, but when buying drinks they give access to Wi-Fi (but not high-speed). The sandy beach is much larger than the pebbly one, but all the vacationers of the Viking hotel chain are brought to it, so for lunch we go in a full bus or minibus in crazy heat without air conditioning. Beds without mattresses. Closer to dinner, very hot sand.
On the pebbly beach there are only 3 rows of sun loungers (rather new), almost all with mattresses but not enough shade. Transfer - good Mercedes with air conditioning, as well as an announcement that in wet swimsuits do not sit on the seats.
The pool is impressive in size and with a constant depth of 145 cm. There is enough space for all those who have a rest on sun loungers. Children's pool with a depth of 45 cm and a small slide. Water is constantly updated in two pools. But attentiveness does not hurt: there are small sharp chipped tiles along the edge, some tiles have fallen off completely and the grates for draining the water are broken, and even with stuck living creatures.
Free internet is very slow. You can connect only early in the morning or late in the evening. The rest of the time you don't even have to try.
The guide from Annextur "thanks" that once he wrote a formidable note in a beautiful even handwriting about the problems with the flight and did not remember about us anymore. Truly worthy of respect. All the best to this guide.
On Wednesdays, the hotel organizes a Turkish night in continuation of dinner with a live music concert, belly dancing and a disco for vacationers. Quite interesting and exciting.
The territory of the hotel itself is small, well-groomed, quite clean and landscaped to the extent possible.
Unlike hotels on the outskirts, there is where to walk, it's nice.
Nutrition. Everything is delicious. Although the choice is small (there is something to compare). There are always several types of meat (or even 4), potatoes, rice, fish, vegetables, etc. From fruits: watermelon, melon, plum, apples, orange pears. I did not like only cheeses such as feta, brynza.
Alcohol of average quality, not bad. Tuborg beer is delicious.
Sea. Two decent beaches.
To the pebble beach at a slow pace 9-15 minutes, depending on the route.
The water is very clean. Pebbles hurt your feet, take corrals or use a mini entry from a nearby beach.
The sandy beach also has clear water, but it is murkier (there are no normal dressing rooms here). In fact, the sand is only on the shore. There are small pebbles with sand in the water. Enough loungers. But in the shade after 10 a. m. , everything is entertaining. There are not many people on the beach. Plus the remoteness of the buoys from the shore. You can swim deep.
After 5 meters you can no longer stand on your feet in the water.
The coastline is quite wide.
A bus runs to the beaches every 45-60 minutes from 8 am.
Rooms. If we get lucky. In the beginning, instead of the standard, we were settled in families. The room was tired, although they tried to keep it (touched up, smeared). The next day they moved to the standard. Here it is fresh and very pleasant.
The hotel has most of the rooms with access to the pool (noisy). Air conditioners work well everywhere.
Clean well and the hotel is clean. The slippers were released.
At 4.15-4.30 they sing in the mosque. The first time I couldn't sleep after that. I got used to it on the second day. The crow wakes up the roosters. But so everywhere, where if it is the city center.
The hotel service is good, the staff is friendly, Turkish men do not pester our girls.
The lobby bar is small, around 10 pm it does not accommodate everyone. But no problem, you can find a place by the pool.
The hotel has practically no territory. Pool and lots of tables.
The animators held yoga, darts games, water aerobics. The rest I don't know. Was not.
Internet. Wifi should be free in the lobby. No matter how they went, they did not catch him. Took one day paid 3 euros. Basically normal, but unstable. The next day we bought a SIM card for 179 lire ($22).
Most vacationers are from Ukraine (65 percent), from Kazakhstan (20%), from Russia 10%, Poland, Germany, Belarus and locals.
The hotel is more family, many pensioners.
On Monday, the market comes, right to the hotel. You can buy delicious shrimp (fried or boiled on the spot for free) 80-200 liras, nuts and much more.
It is worth coming here because of the sea, delicious food and good location of the hotel
If you choose between Viking Star and Viking Park, the former is better for food. V. Park has a very small selection of food and it is not very pleasant to walk around it.
But something else was important to me personally - in Kemer it is better than in Egypt for the same money. Near forests and mountains, 2 canyons. Boat trips along the coast on the Mega Star ship. Very nice.
Bicycle and moped rental nearby.
All inclusive. In Montenegro, the price will be higher, but without meals. The food is good for me.
The Turks try hard and are very helpful. Many speak Russian and many people from the former Soviet Union.
I recommend Kemer.
There is a kids club. Once a day at 16.30 they give ice cream, packed frozen ice. Evening entertainment is small, karaoke, live music, or bingo in a circle, and once a week on Wednesdays Turkish night with belly dancing and a show from the kitchen. There are two beaches, one carries a bus on schedule, 5 minutes to go, there is a large beach, pebble-sand, a paid bar, even water. The second beach is within walking distance of 12 minutes, large pebbles, it’s hard to enter, but the water is crystal clear, the beach is narrow, there are few sun loungers, the bar is also paid there. The rooms are cleaned every day, the safe in the room is paid.
We got to the hotel at 10:20, we were issued, put on bracelets, and offered a late breakfast, since it is until 11:00. We left our things at the reception. The brunch was quite good, there was enough fresh fruits and vegetables, many types of cheese.
After breakfast, you can go to the pool bar, wait until you check in there, alcohol is free. We were traveling with friends, the first room was given to them, it was around 12:00, we brought all the things to them, changed clothes and went to dinner. We were given a room at 13:30. I think that you can safely wait a few hours at the bar, the more you could eat.
The room turned out to be quite good, a double bed, next to it there was another one and a half bed (for which it is not known), bedside tables, a cabinet for a suitcase, a large mirror. There is also a type of air conditioning hood, but in our room there are some problems with it.
Breakfast
For breakfast, fresh vegetables, fruits, many types of pastries, sweets, tea (herbal tea bags), coffee (from the machine), cheeses, sausages, yogurts. Pancakes and scrambled eggs are fried outside.
Dinner
I was satisfied, there were two types of meat, potatoes, pasta, a lot of vegetables, fruits, and much more that we did not have time to try)
Dinner
For dinner, they cook the most, the range of dishes is large, meat, chicken, fish, grilled meat, many types of side dishes and salads, 5-6 types of cheeses, again sweets (by the way, all are very tasty).
I recommend going to the grill right away, there is basically the most delicious fried.
In general, I really liked the food, everything is very tasty, every day there is meat, chicken, turkey, two types of fish, a lot of fresh vegetables for every taste, a lot of sweets, fruits.
Bar
They have free vodka, beer, crayfish * their vodka * (if mixed with a sprite, it will be like sambuca), white and red wine (dry this and that, for an amateur), liquor. If you mix cocktails, then it is quite possible to be content with them).
By the way, I never had a hangover, although I drank enough).
About 5 stars
Well, as a person who is the first time in Turkey, I was more than satisfied with everything. Friendly staff, the room is cleaned every day (naturally, if you leave a sign for it to be removed, but we didn’t hang anything on the door one day, they cleaned it anyway), there are many places where you can relax (three bars, sofas near the reception, sofas in the basement and chairs, soft chairs near the pool). There are nuances, but you can close your eyes to them (slightly shabby towels, showers in the rooms are slightly shabby, sunbeds on the beach are also not new).
Internet
If you have a good mobile tariff in roaming, then you don’t have to worry. Since there are problems with wi-fi. There is free Wi-Fi near the reception, but it's a problem to connect, because if about 10 people are sitting in the lobby, then it doesn't work.
You can connect paid to the room. 1 day 3€.
And now a life hack: in the basement, where the spa is, there is free Wi-Fi, "viking 1", you just need to work hard to find it.
But I will tell you that it is quite pleasant to relax without the Internet)))
cats
Cats are everywhere. In the dining room, at the reception, on the ground floor. The staff does not drive away, they feel great.
Beaches
From the hotel there are two beaches: pebble and sand. Buses from the hotel carry people with regularity per hour.
Pebbles, this is a lot of stones, until you reach the water and go into the sea, this is a whole test, as your feet are loaded with pebbles, and it is very painful to walk, for this you need to buy special shoes in advance. There are also stones everywhere in the water, and even slippery, you need to be careful not to twist your leg. The water is clear, the sea is warm (we were in October). There is a problem with sunbeds, you can not have time, and everything will be busy.
Another nuance, the sunbeds are not marked in any way, where from your hotel, and where from another, the local at the bar will tell you, I think this is a minus, it would be better if they put at least signs from where and while the sunbeds from each hotel, because if you lie down to rest not on your sunbed, out of ignorance, then you may simply be asked to release it or to pay, and no one is interested that there are no more free places.
Sand
I liked it a lot more there, just because it's sand) It's more pleasant for your feet to walk, the water is warm, there is a park next to the beach where you can walk, and you can walk around, the views are mesmerizing.
The bar on the beaches is paid.
Hammam
I will write about the hammam in the hotel itself. This procedure includes washing the whole body, peeling, and washing with foam. After that, you are taken for a massage. We really liked the massage, with the use of aroma oils. After the massage, face mask. All this lasts 1.5 hours. We were personally satisfied, did not regret a single drop of money.
In the city itself, this procedure can be offered at half the price, but be aware that there will only be a body wash and that's it.
Restaurant
Once during your stay at the hotel, you can choose a day earlier to sign up for a free lunch or dinner at the restaurant. Food is free, alcohol is paid. The choice is small, but there is a red fish on the menu, which is not served on the buffet.
Market
I don’t know how anyone, but I’m pleased to go to the store for souvenirs, where the price tags were originally written, and they don’t look at you, and come up with a price on the go. Unfortunately, there are very few shops with price tags.
Mosque
Every day, starting at 4 am, a prayer is heard from the mosque. Rather, it is sung into a microphone, it is heard quite well, with a frequency of 4 hours. It does not interfere, since the prayer itself lasts about 5 minutes, but in the morning you can wake up if the number goes in that direction.
Excursion
We chose an excursion, as the guide told us, to the old church built by St. Nicholas.
Our expectations were to see an architectural monument, but in fact, it comes as a pilgrimage. Believers come to pray, apply icons (bought in advance in a special shop, at very interesting prices, which start from $100 and up to about $2000). Nobody forces you to buy, but the guide strongly recommends. Those who do not buy anything, he calls "rogue".
After that, you will be taken to the dining room, where the complex will be served: soup and the second. There is a salad, two sauces, fruit and cheese on the tables in advance. All this in small quantities, and a lot of flies land. It spoiled my appetite a bit. Then two hours on a boat, and a wine cellar. Get ready that everywhere persistently recommends something to buy.
Baksheesh
That is, tips. In every bus, minibus, at every bar there are boxes for tips. This is kind of accepted by them, well, at least we were told so everywhere.
The hotel, as it seemed to us, is designed for guests of the Norwegians, the elderly, for them the main focus is on dancing (tango, etc. ). There is a pub on the first floor where they are taught, and in the evenings they dance at the pool bar. Basically, 85 percent are elderly people, the rest are young people 25+.
I hope you enjoyed reading, have a good rest)