Your rating of this hotel:
9.0
from 10
Hotel ratings by criteria:
Rooms:
9.0
Service:
10.0
Cleanliness:
9.0
Food:
9.0
Amenities:
10.0
We rested with a family (2 adults and a child of 5 years) from August 25 to September 13.2016. First time in Side. Also for the first time in the Barut hotel chain. Prior to that, they rested with a family with a child in Kemer, in the village of Tekirova: in Marti Mir (July 2014) and Euphoria Tekirova (September 2015). The couple also rested in Egypt, in Sharm el-Sheikh back in 2007. and 2008 (in the hotels Iberotel Club Fanara (now part of the Jaz hotel chain) and Hilton Waterfalls). I will not compare the region of Side and Kemer, as they are very different with their pluses and minuses. Just sharing my impressions of the holiday. I'll try to be as detailed as possible.
FLIGHT/TRANSFER: Tour Operator: Join Up Tour, Ukraine. Flight Kyiv-Antalya: Yanair airline, charter flight. Departure early, at 2.15, without delay and complaints. During the flight: drinks only (still water, tea and coffee). Upon arrival, a fast transfer from the tour operator with a bus stop at only one hotel on the way: Alva Donna Beach Comfort. The bus driver loaded/unloaded things on his own. On the way, parking for 15 minutes near the shops, in my opinion (and not only), is not needed at all. Return flight: per day change and flight number, and departure time from 18.05 to 20.00, and the airline from Yanair to Windrose. Departure Antalya-Kyiv is late, so I had to extend the hotel room to make it easier for the child to move the road. I will write about the extension of the number below in the information about the work of the reception. True, Join ap Tour warned, posting information on the stand a day before. On the way back, we ordered an individual transfer from the hotel (80 dollars or 70 euros) to go alone and not stop on the way to the sweet factory and wait for someone there. A minivan with a leather interior came for us, the driver is very courteous and efficient: he delivered us to the airport in 1 hour. During the return flight (charter flight Antalya-Kyiv): packaged juice was added from the drinks. Regarding the cost of an individual transfer: there are three options for ordering it: 1. from a tour operator from home - this is an average of $ 100 one way; 2. at the hotel directly - it's $ 80 (70 euros) one way, 3. search the Internet for a Turkish transportation company and they say you can negotiate for $ 45 one way (this was told to me by a woman from Moscow who came to the hotel with her daughters : from home I independently booked a hotel, bought insurance, air tickets for a regular flight and a transfer from a Turkish company).
WORK OF JOIN UP TOUR GUIDES AT THE HOTEL: the meeting was held by Anna: a sociable, friendly, smiling girl. She told about excursions, shopping. But frankly did not impose. I liked it. I received answers to all my questions. Anna always gives her mobile phone number, you can chat with her in Viber if there are difficult situations. The day before departure, when we changed the time of departure, the airline, and the flight number, Anna, at my request, additionally checked all the information and at the reception agreed to change the time of departure from the hotel by individual transfer. I thank her very much for her help. The Regional Manager for Side is Ruslan. Very often at the hotel until late in the evening, but I did not personally communicate with him. They offer shopping: first to the Bizzon leather and fur store, and then a visit to the large Novada supermarket. You cannot refuse to visit the Bizzon store, since it provides transport. In the Bizzon store, you need to bargain, the prices are decent (as they say, divide the cost by 2). In Novada, prices are fixed in Turkish Lira, but you can pay in both dollars and euros. Novada supermarket has: Migros, Colins, Waikiki, Ozdelih, Mavi, Chikko, English House, Defacto, etc. There are cash registers and checks are issued, so there is no bargaining. There is air conditioning, so you can safely go at lunchtime. But no one will force you to go shopping: this is a voluntary matter. You can go shopping on your own (details in the shopping section).
GEST RELATION HOTEL PERFORMANCE: 100% excellent. Guest Relations Manager Gulfiya (abbreviated name Gulya) is a professional with a capital letter, a person with a big heart and an open soul. It's impossible not to love her. What is only a sincere smile of this oriental beauty. She will never refuse to help, prompt and advise. Works very quickly, but at the same time very high quality. She has been working in Barut Hemer for 10 years. Knows Russian, Turkish, German, English. I have nothing against Ahmet Bey and another guest relation employee, but Gulfiya is the ultimate dream of any boss. I advise the owner of the hotel, as well as the general manager, to appreciate, groom, cherish and reward such employees with bonuses. There is simply no other such Guli. Her eyes light up when she talks about the hotel where she works. Thanks to Guli, I visited on my own without a tour operator the ruins of the Ancient City, and went shopping in Manavgat, etc. She has full answers to all questions, she does not dissemble, and does not hide anything. Many thanks to Gulya for her dedication to her work, for her responsiveness and kindness. From the bottom of my heart I wish her all the best!
HOTEL RECEPTION WORK: not everything is unambiguous and not cloudless. Upon arrival at the hotel in the morning at about 7.00, the reception manager Uzgur met us - he is unsmiling, gloomy, unable to compromise. He sent us to breakfast and said to come at least to learn something at 10.00. It seems that he came to rest, not us. It seemed that we were straining him, as if we had arrived at his house at the wrong time and unexpectedly, and not at the hotel we paid for. My husband is fluent in both German and English. But Uzgur cannot understand anything, he is completely ignored, muttering something under his breath. I understand that it is difficult to work at night and in the morning, but we are not to blame for this. He does not understand Russian at all and does not communicate. Arriving at the reception at 9.00, we met Ummya there - this is the person who worries about the vacationers, their comfort. Her brain is working properly. Why are 2 working people at the reception together with a completely different approach: Uzgur does not meet customers, takes time, and Ummyu solves all issues in ten minutes and everyone is satisfied. Many thanks to her for the early check-in at 10.00. We got a three-room suite 1540 on the second floor, located very close to the sea. Ummyu: a smiling, friendly, helpful, respectful girl. On the day of departure, we had to extend the hotel room, as we had a late flight. I mentally understood that it would be better for us not to get to Uzgyur again. And here we were lucky: Uzgur did not work that day in the morning. Thanks to Ummyu and Gula, we extended the room until 15.00. Extension of the number is approximately $10 per hour. And this despite the fact that the hotel stood on the foot and there was full occupancy. I am grateful to these two girls for their ability to do quality work. I also advise you not to forget about Ummyu when issuing awards. The nice guy at the reception is also Onur. Young, but already very responsible.
From the wishes: since the hotel accepts tourists from the CIS countries, it is desirable to always have one Russian-speaking employee at the reception, at least during the season. And then if Guli has a day off, then for vacationers who cannot speak English or German, there may be difficulties. And send Uzgyur to advanced training courses.
At the reception there is a table for new arrivals: pomegranate sherbet, Turkish delight, cookies, chocolate. There is also a lobby bar where you can order a refreshing cocktail, Turkish coffee, beer, etc. By the way, this bar is open 24/7. At the stand near the reception (closer to the library) there is always information about the temperature of the air and water, about the holidays. Beautifully decorated in the foyer for Victory Day 30.08. : a table decorated with balloons, portraits of the first president, information about this day in Russian/Turkish/German/English. It was similar at the beginning of the celebration of Eid al-Adha. In addition, a large tray with sweets, cookies, Turkish delight, chocolate-covered peanuts was placed on the table. On the second floor there is a rest room where you can change clothes, even take a shower, relax, leave things in the storage room. Those who arrive / leave at night are given sandwiches at the reception. By the way, the hotel is open all year round.
The minus for accommodation in the final assessment was due to the hassle upon arrival. Although everything can be decided humanly, there would be a desire.
HOLIDAYER CAPACITY: most Germans and British. There are also Ukrainians, Turks, Hungarians, Slovaks, Russians, Belarusians. Many British people specifically book deluxe pool view suites. The hotel does not have bracelets. It's comfortable.
HOTEL TERRITORY: average in size 55.000 sq. m. , but very well-groomed, green, well thought out. The hotel is longer than wide. On the territory of the hotel you can see growing trees with fruits: tangerines, pomegranates, oranges, olives, bananas. There are also eucalyptus trees, palms, arborvitae, pines. Irrigation organized. Each tree and bush is signed. Many well-groomed flower beds with different flowers. The bushes are beautifully trimmed. My respect and respect to the gardeners of this hotel. Thanks to them for their work. There are no mosquitoes on the territory. A big plus is the opportunity to lie on a lounger in the garden area. The territory is actually divided into zones: a relaxation pool, where it is always calm and there is a bar nearby; the main pool, where active animation with a Meltem bar and a pastry shop; mini club area: mini club, playground, children's pool; garden area not reaching the beach with sun loungers and a nearby Kumsal bar. Since the hotel was built in 1990, they have an excellent park with tall trees. From the wishes: during the evening shows on the stage near the Kumsal bar, make a division into a zone for smokers and non-smokers. I also advise you to organize a cat house so that cats do not roam around the hotel, do not drink water from the pools, so that they are not fed by everyone and anything, but at the same time, children can come and look at them.
BARY STAR CHILD SYSTEM: works in the hotel. Families with children (from 0 to 3 years old) are given a questionnaire at the reception upon arrival, where you can choose for free what is necessary for a comfortable stay of the child: a stroller (as a rule, they provide a Chikko cane stroller, Little Way model), a radio nanny, crib, baby potty, toilet seat, bibs, baby shampoo, bath tub, etc.
ROOM: minus: the hotel does not have rooms with direct sea view. Almost everyone lives in the garden. Fruit basket in the room upon arrival. We were settled in a three-room suite 1540 on the second floor. Pluses of the room: close location to the sea. Disadvantage of the room: Noise in the evenings from the animation show near Kumsal bar and neighboring hotel. But we ourselves wanted to be closer to the sea, so that the child could not walk far. Therefore, they always fell asleep with the balcony door closed. Turned on the air conditioner in the living room. And at night they could open the window. But again, in the mornings, the noise from the window from the carts that are being taken to Kumsal. From personal observation: the quietest rooms are located in the building above the miniclub. You can fall asleep there in the evening without hearing the evening animation near the Kumsal bar. Room 1540 has a bedroom, a children's room and a living room. Very close to the sea and Kumsal bar. In the room we were provided with a baby seat for the toilet, drying clothes. The room contains slippers and bathrobes, towels for the beach, as well as a beach bag from Barut hotels. It is very convenient that you do not need to use cards to exchange towels. An iron and ironing board is provided free of charge upon request. There are no mosquito nets in the room, but there were no mosquitoes either. The fumigator taken from home was not useful.
3. Living room: round table, sofa with cushions, 4 chairs, 2 exits to the balcony, individual air conditioning, tiles, plates and cutlery, 4 cups, tea and coffee set: tea bags of different types: green, black, fruit, herbal, coffee and cream in sticks, regular and brown sugar, electric kettle. There are opened for bottles. Upon arrival: fruit basket and welcome card signed by the hotel's general manager.
4. Bathroom and toilet: combined, large mirror, washbasin, toilet and comfortable shower. From bathroom accessories: washcloth, comb, cotton buds and sponges, nail file, shower gel, polyethylene cap, hair conditioner, body milk, hair shampoo, napkins in a package, toilet paper. There are glasses, a soap dish, a magnifying mirror.
5. Corridor: 2 small lockers built into the wall. There is a safe, bathrobes and slippers, a sponge for shoes, a laundry bag, a spoon for shoes, a set of threads, a beach bag, an extra warm blanket. At the entrance there is a hanger and a rack for things.
Plumbing in the room did not junk, air conditioners worked well. Our respect and respect to the cleaning lady Meral. Very hardworking, responsible, decent girl. I cleaned well, vacuumed, swept on the balcony, replenished bathroom accessories, disinfected the shower, washed the toilet. Bed and towels changed regularly. Housekeeping was great.
BEACH / WEATHER: The beach is wide, sandy, square, not long. The hotel's beach has a blue flag. There were always enough beds. It makes no sense to take a sunbed at 6.00 at all. Umbrellas are individual: for 2 sun loungers 1 umbrella. There was no massacre for the shadow. The entry into the sea is smooth, but there are stones of volcanic origin in the sea. You have to be careful. There is a pontoon, you can not jump from it. If the stones are too straining, then you can go swimming on the nearby beach of the Defne Star Hotel (to the left of Ali Baba's water activities). There are no stones in the sea at all. On the beach of another nearby hotel on the right, Melas Beach HV, I do not advise you to go swimming, the situation with stones is even worse there. Rumor has it that the Melas Beach HV hotel tried to cut the stones, but the water turned them off and they became sharp. Personally, we took aqua shoes from home, but they lay in our hotel room in a closet. Even the child did not ask to wear them. Near the beach of Barut Hemera there is a public beach area where vacationers come to relax, for example, across the road in fours and threes. They cannot rest on the sunbeds of Barut Hemera with their own towels. And along the shore and along the promenade, they and you can walk wherever you want. This is what distinguishes Side, for example, from Kemer (the village of Tekirova). There are pros and cons here. You can also swim on the beach of any hotel, but there are no sunbeds. I want to separately note the work of beach-boys. Beach boy Mustafa is a super energetic person, he will help you open an umbrella, bring a mattress. Very pleasant and hardworking, regular guests say goodbye to him touchingly upon departure. It is also impossible not to mention another scourge. I don't know his name, he's deaf and dumb. Also well done. Does not dodge work, seeks to help. They are very agile and fast. You see, now he is on the beach, now he is already working in the garden zone. They don't have breaks. Also well done lifeguard. He was constantly watching, sometimes on the beach, sometimes on the pontoon. Their work is physically difficult, so they should not be forgotten when distributing the bonus. The beach has cabanas, still water in the cooler, foot washing stands and showers. The beach is divided into 2 areas: a smoking area and a non-smoking area. It is perfectly. Upon arrival on 25.08. the temperature in the sea was 30gr. , just fresh milk. The kids are great. Only 09.09. the water was comparatively cool and there was a bit of rubbish in the afternoon. We didn't see a pack of dogs on the beach. There is one Pekingese from the guys from water sports, which gave birth to puppies. Non-motorized sports are free. Ride the child on a catamaran. The child was delighted. Closer to departure, the water temperature became 29gr. The air temperature during the day in the sun is about 34 degrees, but there is no sweltering heat. It was also warm at night, about 21 degrees. The blouses were not useful even for a child. Humidity is much easier to tolerate than in, for example, in July. There was no rain during the 20 days of our stay. One day there were a little clouds in the afternoon, everyone was waiting for rain, something dripped, but there was no rain. And at that time there was a hurricane with rain in Kemer (friends were resting there).
On the beach, the animators offered to play boccia and volleyball. You can also ride a banana boat, catamaran, motorized and non-motorized boat, sofa, parachute, surf, etc. , but all this is not intrusive, without dripping on the brain. Non-motorized sports are free. The child was taken on a catamaran. Remained satisfied. At the same time, they offered spa treatments. I didn't specify the price because I didn't plan to. You can take a picture with a professional photographer. Along the coast, you can go past other hotels. Lying on other people's sunbeds with your own towel is not allowed. To the right along the promenade there is Barut Arum, to the left - Barut Jennet. If you want to walk around the territory of Barut chain hotels, you need to show your card, say that you are relaxing in Barut Hemer, and see the territory of the hotels that are part of the Barut chain. We were given a visitor badge. But I liked Barut Hemera more. Toward the end of the holiday, we saw a beautiful small yacht on the beach near the water activities. This is the yacht of the owner Barut, who was resting at the hotel during the beginning of the Eid al-Adha celebrations. By the way, the owner behaves simply, without pathos and without paying close attention.
From the wishes of the hotel: clean the water storage on the beach (water blooms there) and solve the garbage near the volleyball court. A kind request to female vacationers sunbathing topless on the beach: do not forget that the hotel has an active concept for children's recreation. If it’s so unbearable to be a nudist, then choose hotels for adults 16+. And you observe a strange trend: the older the woman, the more active she is. There are no young girls sunbathing topless. Tips for future vacationers: bring sunscreen from home. Good ones in local pharmacies are not cheap.
POOLS / SLIDES: the child was not bathed in the pools, respectively, and they themselves did not swim. We didn't go up the hills. We preferred the sea. There is a relaxation pool at the beginning of the hotel, where it is always calm, there are sun loungers, a la carte Oliva bar, toilets nearby. Adults are preferred, but children are also welcome. Main pool: active animation, very nicely located, lots of sun loungers, there is a bridge. Not far from the main pool is a miniclub, bar Meltem, confectionery. There are toilets and changing rooms. There are 2 slides in the water park, a lifeguard is constantly on the tower. The children's pool has 1 slide for the little ones. Various animation events were held in the main pool: gymnastics, competitions, etc. The indoor pool is closed during the summer and during the season.
FOOD/DRINKS:
- CHILDREN'S COMPARTMENT OF THE MAIN RESTAURANT: open in the morning, and lunch, and in the evening. It is very convenient. There are also small tables and chairs. There are chairs for feeding. A plasma TV hangs on the wall, showing cartoons. There were always empty seats. The waiters are very good. There is a blender, a microwave, children's plates of blue and pink colors, small forks and spoons, cups. There is no packaged baby food for infants (no mixture, packaged cereals, portioned yoghurts, canned food, etc. ). This, of course, is a minus in the operation of the Bary Star children's system. In the morning there was always 1 type of milk porridge, but there is separate milk and different types of corn flakes in the common room: colored, chocolate, regular; buns, boiled eggs, portioned butter. Plus an assortment of dietary tables: boiled chicken or turkey meat, boiled vegetables. There are buns, boiled eggs, various types of pancakes, pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages. In the main restaurant, you can also take a portion of cherry, strawberry jam. At lunch/evening there was always soup, grilled cutlets or boiled meat, or grilled turkey meat. From side dishes: boiled rice, or small pasta without additives, or spaghetti, as well as french fries, or mashed potatoes, or boiled potatoes. From vegetables: either boiled cauliflower, or carrots, or green peas, or broccoli, or boiled corn, there were always fresh cucumbers, cherry tomatoes. If you are traveling with a baby (for example, a six-month-old baby), you need to take a pack of formula, porridge, mashed meat and vegetable jars, etc. , as they are not in the children's compartment. Therefore, either bring it with you, or buy it in pharmacies upon arrival. I think it's better not to experiment, but to take it with you. Many mothers of such babies are helped by breastfeeding.
From the wishes: to be generous with jar food for infants, as well as children's drinks (you can at least ayran in portioned cups, etc. ). It's better to boil the potatoes. In most cases, raw pieces came across. Less pepper and spices in grilled cutlets and grilled meats for children, as many children do not like specific seasonings. Choose the best quality of sausages for the children's table than it is. The chicken soup that they offer is quite fatty, especially for infants. Often there were mashed soups, but many mothers did not dare to take them for their child, because they did not know all the ingredients. It is also advisable to put separately, for example, strained chicken or beef broth and boiled vegetables, so that the mother herself can combine the soup for her child, based on taste preferences. Plus, know exactly what ingredients are in this soup. For children from the CIS countries, you can also cook buckwheat porridge. As far as I know, German children do not eat it. The minus in the final rating for nutrition was set for the nuances in baby food.
- MAIN RESTAURANT:
Breakfast from 7.00 to 10.30, late breakfast from 10.30 to 11.00, lunch from 12.30 to 14.30, lunch snacks (at Kumsal beach bar) from 12.30 to 17.00, Hanimeli pastry shop from 10.00 to 18.00, dinner from 19.00 to 21.30, night buffet from 00.00 until 1.00.
BREAKFAST: boiled eggs for 3 and 5 minutes, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, sausages, pate, different types of ham and cheese, sausage, pancakes, pancakes, waffles, fried donuts, many types of bakery products with different fillings, different shapes, stew meat, vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, olives, black olives, lettuce, etc. ). In portions, you can take strawberry, cherry jam, honey, butter, margarine, melted cheese. In bulk there are different types of compotes, jams (from roses, quince, oranges, apricot, strawberry, cherry, etc. ), liquid chocolate. There was always honey in the combs in the morning. There are different types of cereal and hot milk. Of the dried fruits for breakfast were: raisins, figs, dried apricots, prunes. Always free orange juice in the morning. Nearby stands apple juice, cherry. The machines have espresso, double espresso, cappuccino, mochachino. But the quality is so-so. Much better Turkish coffee. Waiters always offer tea/coffee. From the wishes: it is better to fry an omelette.
LUNCH: We used to dine at the Kumsal beach bar all the time. We didn't go to the main restaurant. About Kumsala below.
DINNER: great variety. Themed dinners: sometimes Italian, sometimes fish, sometimes Asian, sometimes Turkish. We got to the celebration of Victory Day, 30.08. There was a gala dinner. I admire their patriotism and efforts. The main restaurant was decorated with white and red balloons with a portrait of the first president. Beautifully designed large map of Turkey, beautifully carved watermelons, pumpkins, light smoke. A super-large cake in the form of a Turkish flag with a star and a month, which was cut at the end of the evening. Loved the dinner of fish and Turkish cuisine. Fish dinner: all kinds of fish - grilled and smoked salmon, fried trout, salads with shrimp, octopus, anchovies, salted and smoked mackerel, squid, etc. You just can't list everything. Turkish dinner: chefs dressed in red T-shirts. On the street, a woman bakes gozleme with different types of fillings. Different types of meat products from beef, chicken, turkey (both kebab, shish kebab, and baked meat, etc. ). Sweets are endless: baklava, lokma, different types of cakes, desserts, ice cream, etc. The tables are bursting with sweets. There are separate desserts for allergy sufferers: gluten-free. You can order different types of drinks, Turkish coffee, etc. to the waiter. I really liked the evening when the hotel prepared chocolates with different types of chocolate and different types of fillings, plus there was a chocolate fountain. You can dip fruit pieces in chocolate and eat. During the Asian evening there was sushi (albeit the simplest), separately ginger, wasabi, fried ice cream. In the evenings, fruits were: watermelon, melon, peaches or nectarines, green and black grapes, kiwi, bananas, fresh figs, plums, green and red apples, pears, oranges.
Special thanks to all the waiters, and especially Makbula (children's restaurant) and Ozan (main restaurant). Makbule is more restrained, but kind, courteous, it is clear that she loves children. Ozan is just a smile man. He tries to speak with vacationers in their native language. Apparently very hardworking. They work like clockwork. Guys are great. The service is excellent. Outside, the tables are divided into smoking and non-smoking areas. This is great too. But there were some unique vacationers who, sitting at a table near the “No Smoking” sign, could smoke and pretend that they simply did not notice it. There were always enough tables in the restaurant, both under the air conditioner and on the street. Everything is very well calculated.
From the wishes: to put machines with cola, fanta, sprite and thereby relieve a little load from the waiters.
ALA CARTE RESTAURANTS: The hotel has 4 a la carte, which can be visited free of charge once during your stay at the hotel. They work from 19.00 to 21.30. You can sign up at the guest-relation table at the terminal: a ticket is issued for visiting a specific ala carte with a specific date / time and number of people.
With this ticket you need to come to the a la carte. I recommend booking in advance as it can get busy. There are many visitors, and it happens that people sign up and do not come, and the table for them is booked. Therefore, if it is impossible to come or plans have changed, then it is better to warn the guest relation and then the reservation will be canceled. Ala cards: Sandal - fish, Akdeniz - international, Oliva - Italian, Sofra - Turkish. Husband visited all four. My husband liked the Turkish restaurant Sofra the most, he came in admiration for the lamb. Sandal has the fastest service but the smallest portions. In Oliva, you could work on the pizza crust to make it more like an Italian one. Also improve the dessert Tiramisu.
So, BAR KUMSAL: the bar is very close to the sea. Open from 10. Kumsal Bar also offers a full lunch from 12.30 to 14.30, as well as lunch snacks until 17.00. Then only drinks. There is ice cream after dinner, an average of 5 types. During lunch: a lot of grilled dishes: grilled beef cutlets, grilled turkey pieces, lula kebab, meat on a spit, fried whole fish and pieces (bones separate very well), grilled vegetables (tomato, pepper, onion, eggplant, zucchini), boiled cauliflower, or corn, french fries or baked potatoes. On the contrary, you can take pasta or pasta separately, sprinkle with cheese and pour separately prepared sauce. From vegetables: fresh salad of tomatoes and cucumbers with herbs, which can be seasoned with pomegranate sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil of your choice; cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled onions, lettuce and parsley. Delicious pickled cucumbers, olives, black olives, canned corn, red cabbage. From the menu, you can order different types of pizza from the menu (we took Margarita for the child, and for ourselves with seafood), hamburgers, cheeseburgers, different types of pide, omelettes, etc. Orders and drinks are delivered promptly. Waiters do a great job, wipe tables, change ashtrays. No complaints. In the evening they turn their chairs to the stage and get ready for the evening animation. From 11 to 15 nearby in Sofra you can have a bite to eat with different types of gemleze cakes, which a woman bakes on the spot.
HANIMELI PASTRY SHOP: open from 10 to 18 on the first floor of the building opposite the main pool. This is my most favorite place. There were always 5 types of ice cream there. There you will find everything that the soul of a sweet tooth desires: cookies, bizet, cakes, and desserts. You can drink tea or coffee. Those who did not have time for lunch in the main restaurant can take a good sandwich there. A big thank you to the waitresses at this bakery. Always kind and courteous.
KIDS ENTERTAINMENT: there is a mini club, a young club, a playground near the mini club and a small one at the end of the main pool. Miniclub has a separate fenced area. Shed area. On the territory of the miniclub: a trampoline (according to the rules, one child can jump on a trampoline), slides, stairs, swings for the little ones. On the playground there are children's goals for playing football and a basketball hoop. Inside the mini-club: a soft large play area for children, a large designer, a children's hospital, children's cars, a large alphabet that can be folded on the floor. There is a Russian-speaking animator Irina. Very pleasant and balanced girl. She is constantly involved with children. Also pleasant and kind Myuhyu. True, painting T-shirts and painting with sand is paid. In the evening, mini disco and popcorn treats. Inside the mini club there is a toilet with children's washbasins and small toilets. There is a separate room where there are children's beds and even 2 playpens. At the entrance from the other side there are separate cells to leave things. Next to the mini-club behind the fence there is a children's pool for the smallest and one slide in the form of an elephant. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to shoot from a bow (children 16+). On the playground, everything is done for maximum safety: the trees below are wrapped, there are mats on the trampoline. The Young Club is located on the -2nd floor under the reception. This room has billiards, table hockey, a large plasma TV with a set-top box, sofas and chairs. There is table tennis in the lobby in front of the young club. On the ground floor behind the reception there is a library and a recreation room with chess and board games. Our child was drawn there like a magnet.
ADULTS ANIMATION: Friday is the day when animation is turned off at the hotel. And so every day a full program of activities: gymnastics, step, zumba, yoga, aerobics. And on the beach, and by the pool, and in the garden zone there are events. On the beach only volleyball and boccia. Everything else is near the main pool and in the garden area. I would like to mention the chief of animation Ramazan, a very good manager and just a great person who knows how to make concessions. What can not be said about the animator Anna, who held a zumba in the garden zone in the afternoon at 15.30. It looks like she has hearing problems. She turned on the speaker at full power under our windows, so that our heart jumped out in the room. And very often one danced. I understand that it is necessary to carry out animation activities, but you can do everything wisely and do not forget that the hotel also has the concept of family holidays, including those with small children. At the same time, Anna did not make contact, she said: complain to the management, I will not regulate the sound. After contacting the guest relay Gule and the chief of animation Ramazan, the zumba was no longer held under the windows, but on the contrary, also in the garden zone, with the normal sound of music. So the column is perfectly regulated, there would be a desire. An excellent animator girl Anastasia, who conducted yoga lessons. Very flexible, plastic, balanced and very pleasant. Evening animation for adults is very diverse: dancing, acrobats, etc. Particularly interesting was the evening animation on Victory Day 30.08, very patriotic.
PAYING AT THE HOTEL: car rental, doctor's services, photographer's services, laundry and dry cleaning services, telephone and fax, all shops (market, boutique, silver, optician), hairdresser, SPA services, massage and peeling, beauty salon.
FITNESS CENTER: did not visit.
SPA CENTER: did not visit. I don't know the pricing policy.
SHOPPING: There are several options. First: go shopping with a tour operator. Second: independent. Regarding shopping with a tour operator: I have already described the work of the tour operator Join Up Tour in the section. The second option: you can independently go on a dolmush (minibus) to Side or Manavgat. Stop to the right of the entrance to the Barut Hemera Hotel. Only dolmush with the Side-Manavgat sign is suitable. Payment cost: to Side 2 Turkish lira per person, to Manavgat 3 Turkish lira. Taxi is definitely more expensive. In Manavgat, for example, about 15 dollars. It must be understood that Side is a resort village, so prices are higher there, as for tourists. Manavgat is a village further away, about 25 minutes drive, the local population also makes purchases there, the sea is no longer here. Therefore, the prices in Manavgat are lower. Depending on what you decide to buy. If branded clothes, then definitely in Manavgat in shopping centers. Regarding the pricing policy for women's jeans: in Mavi 120-150 Turkish liras, in Waikiki it is possible for 30 Turkish liras, but of a completely different quality. As the local Turks say, Waikiki is somewhat reminiscent of factory China. Exchange rates: 1 dollar: 2.9 Turkish lira, 1 euro: 3.3 Turkish lira. If, for example, you decide to buy just a few magnets, then you can in Side. There is no need to waste time that can be spent at sea. There is also a large market in Manavgat, but, again, I repeat, buy branded clothes only in shopping centers in special departments. As for bed linen: there are almost no family sets with two duvet covers anywhere, but only euro sets with one large duvet cover. In Kemer, last year, for example, there were as many family sets as you like. There is more focus on vacationers from the CIS countries. And in Side, the focus is more on Europeans. Regarding grocery supermarkets: the cheapest is Bim supermarket or A101. Migros is a little more expensive, but the range is large. If you like pomegranate sauce, then God himself ordered to buy it while relaxing in Side, where there are gardens of pomegranate trees. You can buy it in glass, you can buy it in plastic, you can add black carrots, you can clean it, you can buy it in small bottles, you can use large ones. In the duty-free airport of Antalya, prices are much higher. Opposite the hotel there are shops and tents, but you have to bargain. You can also buy small items there. If you really need something urgently, then there are shops on the territory of the hotel. I don't know the prices, I didn't go there. There is also an optician on site.
PHARMACIES: There are 2 pharmacies in front of the exit of the Baruta Hemer Hotel across the road. Plus there are a few more opposite between the Crystal and Defne Star hotels. If you need something, you can easily get it. Turkish lira, dollars and euros are also accepted. Some Turkish-made medicines are cheaper than ours.
EXCURSIONS / WALKS: I personally was only on the ruins of the Ancient City in Side. I traveled at lunchtime myself on a dolmush without a tour operator. All thanks to Gula. You need to get off at a big stop (bass station) in Side, 2 Turkish liras per fare. You can also get there on foot along the promenade. They say not for long, about 30 minutes. You go out and walk to the very end. Went and took pictures. I went to the museum. The cost of visiting the museum is 10 Turkish lira per person. There you need to put the camera in the "No flash" mode. At the end of the village, I took a neoplan for 1 Turkish lira, so as not to climb downhill. Then again on the dolmushe to the hotel. In the evening, you can walk around the hotel, or along the promenade that runs between the beach and the hotel. People walked for 3 km. I have already talked about visits to other hotels of the Barut chain in Side. We walked around the territory of Barut Arum and Barut Jennet. We weren’t at the Barut Andiz hotel, since there is an adult-only vacation, and we were with a five-year-old child. The hotel Barut Sorgun is far away, you need to go by dolmush.
CONCLUSION: we rested in Barut Hemera for 20 days and did not want to leave: the weather is great, the sea is very warm. I can recommend this hotel for families, including children. Real value for money. This is a hotel that you want to return to again, especially if the hotel management continues to offer adequate prices for the rest and will make it even better, given the cons. We have good things to remember. We discovered the Barut hotel chain for ourselves. I wish prosperity to the entire network in Side, Antalya, Kemer, and Fethiye!
BRIEFLY:
ADVANTAGES OF THE HOTEL: well-groomed and green territory of the hotel, excellent work of guest relations, excellent work of waiters, the presence of bathrobes and slippers in the room, no bracelets, no cards for towels, the possibility of intermediate snacks, clean and warm sea, a sufficient number of tables in the restaurant, availability in the room there is an electric kettle and a tea set, the presence of a beach bag in the room, a sufficient number of sunbeds on the beach and by the pools, excellent and timely replenishment of the minibar in the room, long-term work of the confectionery, the presence of racks for washing feet and showers on the beach, the absence of mosquitoes on the territory of the hotel and in the rooms, the presence of a water cooler on the beach, a working Bary star children's system, the possibility of free use of an iron and ironing board, a perfectly working air conditioning system, real value for money.
CONS OF THE HOTEL: stones of volcanic origin in the sea, remoteness from the airport, lack of rooms with a direct sea view, misunderstandings with some hotel employees, cats roaming around the hotel, dirty water storage on the beach and garbage near the volleyball court, lack of canned and packaged food for infants, topless sunbathing older women on the beach in a hotel with an active children's holiday concept.
FLIGHT/TRANSFER: Tour Operator: Join Up Tour, Ukraine. Flight Kyiv-Antalya: Yanair airline, charter flight. Departure early, at 2.15, without delay and complaints. During the flight: drinks only (still water, tea and coffee). Upon arrival, a fast transfer from the tour operator with a bus stop at only one hotel on the way: Alva Donna Beach Comfort. The bus driver loaded/unloaded things on his own. On the way, parking for 15 minutes near the shops, in my opinion (and not only), is not needed at all. Return flight: per day change and flight number, and departure time from 18.05 to 20.00, and the airline from Yanair to Windrose. Departure Antalya-Kyiv is late, so I had to extend the hotel room to make it easier for the child to move the road. I will write about the extension of the number below in the information about the work of the reception. True, Join ap Tour warned, posting information on the stand a day before. On the way back, we ordered an individual transfer from the hotel (80 dollars or 70 euros) to go alone and not stop on the way to the sweet factory and wait for someone there. A minivan with a leather interior came for us, the driver is very courteous and efficient: he delivered us to the airport in 1 hour. During the return flight (charter flight Antalya-Kyiv): packaged juice was added from the drinks. Regarding the cost of an individual transfer: there are three options for ordering it: 1. from a tour operator from home - this is an average of $ 100 one way; 2. at the hotel directly - it's $ 80 (70 euros) one way, 3. search the Internet for a Turkish transportation company and they say you can negotiate for $ 45 one way (this was told to me by a woman from Moscow who came to the hotel with her daughters : from home I independently booked a hotel, bought insurance, air tickets for a regular flight and a transfer from a Turkish company).
WORK OF JOIN UP TOUR GUIDES AT THE HOTEL: the meeting was held by Anna: a sociable, friendly, smiling girl. She told about excursions, shopping. But frankly did not impose. I liked it. I received answers to all my questions. Anna always gives her mobile phone number, you can chat with her in Viber if there are difficult situations. The day before departure, when we changed the time of departure, the airline, and the flight number, Anna, at my request, additionally checked all the information and at the reception agreed to change the time of departure from the hotel by individual transfer. I thank her very much for her help. The Regional Manager for Side is Ruslan. Very often at the hotel until late in the evening, but I did not personally communicate with him. They offer shopping: first to the Bizzon leather and fur store, and then a visit to the large Novada supermarket. You cannot refuse to visit the Bizzon store, since it provides transport. In the Bizzon store, you need to bargain, the prices are decent (as they say, divide the cost by 2). In Novada, prices are fixed in Turkish Lira, but you can pay in both dollars and euros. Novada supermarket has: Migros, Colins, Waikiki, Ozdelih, Mavi, Chikko, English House, Defacto, etc. There are cash registers and checks are issued, so there is no bargaining. There is air conditioning, so you can safely go at lunchtime. But no one will force you to go shopping: this is a voluntary matter. You can go shopping on your own (details in the shopping section).
GEST RELATION HOTEL PERFORMANCE: 100% excellent. Guest Relations Manager Gulfiya (abbreviated name Gulya) is a professional with a capital letter, a person with a big heart and an open soul. It's impossible not to love her. What is only a sincere smile of this oriental beauty. She will never refuse to help, prompt and advise. Works very quickly, but at the same time very high quality. She has been working in Barut Hemer for 10 years. Knows Russian, Turkish, German, English. I have nothing against Ahmet Bey and another guest relation employee, but Gulfiya is the ultimate dream of any boss. I advise the owner of the hotel, as well as the general manager, to appreciate, groom, cherish and reward such employees with bonuses. There is simply no other such Guli. Her eyes light up when she talks about the hotel where she works. Thanks to Guli, I visited on my own without a tour operator the ruins of the Ancient City, and went shopping in Manavgat, etc. She has full answers to all questions, she does not dissemble, and does not hide anything. Many thanks to Gulya for her dedication to her work, for her responsiveness and kindness. From the bottom of my heart I wish her all the best!
HOTEL RECEPTION WORK: not everything is unambiguous and not cloudless. Upon arrival at the hotel in the morning at about 7.00, the reception manager Uzgur met us - he is unsmiling, gloomy, unable to compromise. He sent us to breakfast and said to come at least to learn something at 10.00. It seems that he came to rest, not us. It seemed that we were straining him, as if we had arrived at his house at the wrong time and unexpectedly, and not at the hotel we paid for. My husband is fluent in both German and English. But Uzgur cannot understand anything, he is completely ignored, muttering something under his breath. I understand that it is difficult to work at night and in the morning, but we are not to blame for this. He does not understand Russian at all and does not communicate. Arriving at the reception at 9.00, we met Ummya there - this is the person who worries about the vacationers, their comfort. Her brain is working properly. Why are 2 working people at the reception together with a completely different approach: Uzgur does not meet customers, takes time, and Ummyu solves all issues in ten minutes and everyone is satisfied. Many thanks to her for the early check-in at 10.00. We got a three-room suite 1540 on the second floor, located very close to the sea. Ummyu: a smiling, friendly, helpful, respectful girl. On the day of departure, we had to extend the hotel room, as we had a late flight. I mentally understood that it would be better for us not to get to Uzgyur again. And here we were lucky: Uzgur did not work that day in the morning. Thanks to Ummyu and Gula, we extended the room until 15.00. Extension of the number is approximately $10 per hour. And this despite the fact that the hotel stood on the foot and there was full occupancy. I am grateful to these two girls for their ability to do quality work. I also advise you not to forget about Ummyu when issuing awards. The nice guy at the reception is also Onur. Young, but already very responsible.
From the wishes: since the hotel accepts tourists from the CIS countries, it is desirable to always have one Russian-speaking employee at the reception, at least during the season. And then if Guli has a day off, then for vacationers who cannot speak English or German, there may be difficulties. And send Uzgyur to advanced training courses.
At the reception there is a table for new arrivals: pomegranate sherbet, Turkish delight, cookies, chocolate. There is also a lobby bar where you can order a refreshing cocktail, Turkish coffee, beer, etc. By the way, this bar is open 24/7. At the stand near the reception (closer to the library) there is always information about the temperature of the air and water, about the holidays. Beautifully decorated in the foyer for Victory Day 30.08. : a table decorated with balloons, portraits of the first president, information about this day in Russian/Turkish/German/English. It was similar at the beginning of the celebration of Eid al-Adha. In addition, a large tray with sweets, cookies, Turkish delight, chocolate-covered peanuts was placed on the table. On the second floor there is a rest room where you can change clothes, even take a shower, relax, leave things in the storage room. Those who arrive / leave at night are given sandwiches at the reception. By the way, the hotel is open all year round.
The minus for accommodation in the final assessment was due to the hassle upon arrival. Although everything can be decided humanly, there would be a desire.
HOLIDAYER CAPACITY: most Germans and British. There are also Ukrainians, Turks, Hungarians, Slovaks, Russians, Belarusians. Many British people specifically book deluxe pool view suites. The hotel does not have bracelets. It's comfortable.
HOTEL TERRITORY: average in size 55.000 sq. m. , but very well-groomed, green, well thought out. The hotel is longer than wide. On the territory of the hotel you can see growing trees with fruits: tangerines, pomegranates, oranges, olives, bananas. There are also eucalyptus trees, palms, arborvitae, pines. Irrigation organized. Each tree and bush is signed. Many well-groomed flower beds with different flowers. The bushes are beautifully trimmed. My respect and respect to the gardeners of this hotel. Thanks to them for their work. There are no mosquitoes on the territory. A big plus is the opportunity to lie on a lounger in the garden area. The territory is actually divided into zones: a relaxation pool, where it is always calm and there is a bar nearby; the main pool, where active animation with a Meltem bar and a pastry shop; mini club area: mini club, playground, children's pool; garden area not reaching the beach with sun loungers and a nearby Kumsal bar. Since the hotel was built in 1990, they have an excellent park with tall trees. From the wishes: during the evening shows on the stage near the Kumsal bar, make a division into a zone for smokers and non-smokers. I also advise you to organize a cat house so that cats do not roam around the hotel, do not drink water from the pools, so that they are not fed by everyone and anything, but at the same time, children can come and look at them.
BARY STAR CHILD SYSTEM: works in the hotel. Families with children (from 0 to 3 years old) are given a questionnaire at the reception upon arrival, where you can choose for free what is necessary for a comfortable stay of the child: a stroller (as a rule, they provide a Chikko cane stroller, Little Way model), a radio nanny, crib, baby potty, toilet seat, bibs, baby shampoo, bath tub, etc.
ROOM: minus: the hotel does not have rooms with direct sea view. Almost everyone lives in the garden. Fruit basket in the room upon arrival. We were settled in a three-room suite 1540 on the second floor. Pluses of the room: close location to the sea. Disadvantage of the room: Noise in the evenings from the animation show near Kumsal bar and neighboring hotel. But we ourselves wanted to be closer to the sea, so that the child could not walk far. Therefore, they always fell asleep with the balcony door closed. Turned on the air conditioner in the living room. And at night they could open the window. But again, in the mornings, the noise from the window from the carts that are being taken to Kumsal. From personal observation: the quietest rooms are located in the building above the miniclub. You can fall asleep there in the evening without hearing the evening animation near the Kumsal bar. Room 1540 has a bedroom, a children's room and a living room. Very close to the sea and Kumsal bar. In the room we were provided with a baby seat for the toilet, drying clothes. The room contains slippers and bathrobes, towels for the beach, as well as a beach bag from Barut hotels. It is very convenient that you do not need to use cards to exchange towels. An iron and ironing board is provided free of charge upon request. There are no mosquito nets in the room, but there were no mosquitoes either. The fumigator taken from home was not useful.
3. Living room: round table, sofa with cushions, 4 chairs, 2 exits to the balcony, individual air conditioning, tiles, plates and cutlery, 4 cups, tea and coffee set: tea bags of different types: green, black, fruit, herbal, coffee and cream in sticks, regular and brown sugar, electric kettle. There are opened for bottles. Upon arrival: fruit basket and welcome card signed by the hotel's general manager.
4. Bathroom and toilet: combined, large mirror, washbasin, toilet and comfortable shower. From bathroom accessories: washcloth, comb, cotton buds and sponges, nail file, shower gel, polyethylene cap, hair conditioner, body milk, hair shampoo, napkins in a package, toilet paper. There are glasses, a soap dish, a magnifying mirror.
5. Corridor: 2 small lockers built into the wall. There is a safe, bathrobes and slippers, a sponge for shoes, a laundry bag, a spoon for shoes, a set of threads, a beach bag, an extra warm blanket. At the entrance there is a hanger and a rack for things.
Plumbing in the room did not junk, air conditioners worked well. Our respect and respect to the cleaning lady Meral. Very hardworking, responsible, decent girl. I cleaned well, vacuumed, swept on the balcony, replenished bathroom accessories, disinfected the shower, washed the toilet. Bed and towels changed regularly. Housekeeping was great.
BEACH / WEATHER: The beach is wide, sandy, square, not long. The hotel's beach has a blue flag. There were always enough beds. It makes no sense to take a sunbed at 6.00 at all. Umbrellas are individual: for 2 sun loungers 1 umbrella. There was no massacre for the shadow. The entry into the sea is smooth, but there are stones of volcanic origin in the sea. You have to be careful. There is a pontoon, you can not jump from it. If the stones are too straining, then you can go swimming on the nearby beach of the Defne Star Hotel (to the left of Ali Baba's water activities). There are no stones in the sea at all. On the beach of another nearby hotel on the right, Melas Beach HV, I do not advise you to go swimming, the situation with stones is even worse there. Rumor has it that the Melas Beach HV hotel tried to cut the stones, but the water turned them off and they became sharp. Personally, we took aqua shoes from home, but they lay in our hotel room in a closet. Even the child did not ask to wear them. Near the beach of Barut Hemera there is a public beach area where vacationers come to relax, for example, across the road in fours and threes. They cannot rest on the sunbeds of Barut Hemera with their own towels. And along the shore and along the promenade, they and you can walk wherever you want. This is what distinguishes Side, for example, from Kemer (the village of Tekirova). There are pros and cons here. You can also swim on the beach of any hotel, but there are no sunbeds. I want to separately note the work of beach-boys. Beach boy Mustafa is a super energetic person, he will help you open an umbrella, bring a mattress. Very pleasant and hardworking, regular guests say goodbye to him touchingly upon departure. It is also impossible not to mention another scourge. I don't know his name, he's deaf and dumb. Also well done. Does not dodge work, seeks to help. They are very agile and fast. You see, now he is on the beach, now he is already working in the garden zone. They don't have breaks. Also well done lifeguard. He was constantly watching, sometimes on the beach, sometimes on the pontoon. Their work is physically difficult, so they should not be forgotten when distributing the bonus. The beach has cabanas, still water in the cooler, foot washing stands and showers. The beach is divided into 2 areas: a smoking area and a non-smoking area. It is perfectly. Upon arrival on 25.08. the temperature in the sea was 30gr. , just fresh milk. The kids are great. Only 09.09. the water was comparatively cool and there was a bit of rubbish in the afternoon. We didn't see a pack of dogs on the beach. There is one Pekingese from the guys from water sports, which gave birth to puppies. Non-motorized sports are free. Ride the child on a catamaran. The child was delighted. Closer to departure, the water temperature became 29gr. The air temperature during the day in the sun is about 34 degrees, but there is no sweltering heat. It was also warm at night, about 21 degrees. The blouses were not useful even for a child. Humidity is much easier to tolerate than in, for example, in July. There was no rain during the 20 days of our stay. One day there were a little clouds in the afternoon, everyone was waiting for rain, something dripped, but there was no rain. And at that time there was a hurricane with rain in Kemer (friends were resting there).
On the beach, the animators offered to play boccia and volleyball. You can also ride a banana boat, catamaran, motorized and non-motorized boat, sofa, parachute, surf, etc. , but all this is not intrusive, without dripping on the brain. Non-motorized sports are free. The child was taken on a catamaran. Remained satisfied. At the same time, they offered spa treatments. I didn't specify the price because I didn't plan to. You can take a picture with a professional photographer. Along the coast, you can go past other hotels. Lying on other people's sunbeds with your own towel is not allowed. To the right along the promenade there is Barut Arum, to the left - Barut Jennet. If you want to walk around the territory of Barut chain hotels, you need to show your card, say that you are relaxing in Barut Hemer, and see the territory of the hotels that are part of the Barut chain. We were given a visitor badge. But I liked Barut Hemera more. Toward the end of the holiday, we saw a beautiful small yacht on the beach near the water activities. This is the yacht of the owner Barut, who was resting at the hotel during the beginning of the Eid al-Adha celebrations. By the way, the owner behaves simply, without pathos and without paying close attention.
From the wishes of the hotel: clean the water storage on the beach (water blooms there) and solve the garbage near the volleyball court. A kind request to female vacationers sunbathing topless on the beach: do not forget that the hotel has an active concept for children's recreation. If it’s so unbearable to be a nudist, then choose hotels for adults 16+. And you observe a strange trend: the older the woman, the more active she is. There are no young girls sunbathing topless. Tips for future vacationers: bring sunscreen from home. Good ones in local pharmacies are not cheap.
POOLS / SLIDES: the child was not bathed in the pools, respectively, and they themselves did not swim. We didn't go up the hills. We preferred the sea. There is a relaxation pool at the beginning of the hotel, where it is always calm, there are sun loungers, a la carte Oliva bar, toilets nearby. Adults are preferred, but children are also welcome. Main pool: active animation, very nicely located, lots of sun loungers, there is a bridge. Not far from the main pool is a miniclub, bar Meltem, confectionery. There are toilets and changing rooms. There are 2 slides in the water park, a lifeguard is constantly on the tower. The children's pool has 1 slide for the little ones. Various animation events were held in the main pool: gymnastics, competitions, etc. The indoor pool is closed during the summer and during the season.
FOOD/DRINKS:
- CHILDREN'S COMPARTMENT OF THE MAIN RESTAURANT: open in the morning, and lunch, and in the evening. It is very convenient. There are also small tables and chairs. There are chairs for feeding. A plasma TV hangs on the wall, showing cartoons. There were always empty seats. The waiters are very good. There is a blender, a microwave, children's plates of blue and pink colors, small forks and spoons, cups. There is no packaged baby food for infants (no mixture, packaged cereals, portioned yoghurts, canned food, etc. ). This, of course, is a minus in the operation of the Bary Star children's system. In the morning there was always 1 type of milk porridge, but there is separate milk and different types of corn flakes in the common room: colored, chocolate, regular; buns, boiled eggs, portioned butter. Plus an assortment of dietary tables: boiled chicken or turkey meat, boiled vegetables. There are buns, boiled eggs, various types of pancakes, pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages. In the main restaurant, you can also take a portion of cherry, strawberry jam. At lunch/evening there was always soup, grilled cutlets or boiled meat, or grilled turkey meat. From side dishes: boiled rice, or small pasta without additives, or spaghetti, as well as french fries, or mashed potatoes, or boiled potatoes. From vegetables: either boiled cauliflower, or carrots, or green peas, or broccoli, or boiled corn, there were always fresh cucumbers, cherry tomatoes. If you are traveling with a baby (for example, a six-month-old baby), you need to take a pack of formula, porridge, mashed meat and vegetable jars, etc. , as they are not in the children's compartment. Therefore, either bring it with you, or buy it in pharmacies upon arrival. I think it's better not to experiment, but to take it with you. Many mothers of such babies are helped by breastfeeding.
From the wishes: to be generous with jar food for infants, as well as children's drinks (you can at least ayran in portioned cups, etc. ). It's better to boil the potatoes. In most cases, raw pieces came across. Less pepper and spices in grilled cutlets and grilled meats for children, as many children do not like specific seasonings. Choose the best quality of sausages for the children's table than it is. The chicken soup that they offer is quite fatty, especially for infants. Often there were mashed soups, but many mothers did not dare to take them for their child, because they did not know all the ingredients. It is also advisable to put separately, for example, strained chicken or beef broth and boiled vegetables, so that the mother herself can combine the soup for her child, based on taste preferences. Plus, know exactly what ingredients are in this soup. For children from the CIS countries, you can also cook buckwheat porridge. As far as I know, German children do not eat it. The minus in the final rating for nutrition was set for the nuances in baby food.
- MAIN RESTAURANT:
Breakfast from 7.00 to 10.30, late breakfast from 10.30 to 11.00, lunch from 12.30 to 14.30, lunch snacks (at Kumsal beach bar) from 12.30 to 17.00, Hanimeli pastry shop from 10.00 to 18.00, dinner from 19.00 to 21.30, night buffet from 00.00 until 1.00.
BREAKFAST: boiled eggs for 3 and 5 minutes, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, sausages, pate, different types of ham and cheese, sausage, pancakes, pancakes, waffles, fried donuts, many types of bakery products with different fillings, different shapes, stew meat, vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, olives, black olives, lettuce, etc. ). In portions, you can take strawberry, cherry jam, honey, butter, margarine, melted cheese. In bulk there are different types of compotes, jams (from roses, quince, oranges, apricot, strawberry, cherry, etc. ), liquid chocolate. There was always honey in the combs in the morning. There are different types of cereal and hot milk. Of the dried fruits for breakfast were: raisins, figs, dried apricots, prunes. Always free orange juice in the morning. Nearby stands apple juice, cherry. The machines have espresso, double espresso, cappuccino, mochachino. But the quality is so-so. Much better Turkish coffee. Waiters always offer tea/coffee. From the wishes: it is better to fry an omelette.
LUNCH: We used to dine at the Kumsal beach bar all the time. We didn't go to the main restaurant. About Kumsala below.
DINNER: great variety. Themed dinners: sometimes Italian, sometimes fish, sometimes Asian, sometimes Turkish. We got to the celebration of Victory Day, 30.08. There was a gala dinner. I admire their patriotism and efforts. The main restaurant was decorated with white and red balloons with a portrait of the first president. Beautifully designed large map of Turkey, beautifully carved watermelons, pumpkins, light smoke. A super-large cake in the form of a Turkish flag with a star and a month, which was cut at the end of the evening. Loved the dinner of fish and Turkish cuisine. Fish dinner: all kinds of fish - grilled and smoked salmon, fried trout, salads with shrimp, octopus, anchovies, salted and smoked mackerel, squid, etc. You just can't list everything. Turkish dinner: chefs dressed in red T-shirts. On the street, a woman bakes gozleme with different types of fillings. Different types of meat products from beef, chicken, turkey (both kebab, shish kebab, and baked meat, etc. ). Sweets are endless: baklava, lokma, different types of cakes, desserts, ice cream, etc. The tables are bursting with sweets. There are separate desserts for allergy sufferers: gluten-free. You can order different types of drinks, Turkish coffee, etc. to the waiter. I really liked the evening when the hotel prepared chocolates with different types of chocolate and different types of fillings, plus there was a chocolate fountain. You can dip fruit pieces in chocolate and eat. During the Asian evening there was sushi (albeit the simplest), separately ginger, wasabi, fried ice cream. In the evenings, fruits were: watermelon, melon, peaches or nectarines, green and black grapes, kiwi, bananas, fresh figs, plums, green and red apples, pears, oranges.
Special thanks to all the waiters, and especially Makbula (children's restaurant) and Ozan (main restaurant). Makbule is more restrained, but kind, courteous, it is clear that she loves children. Ozan is just a smile man. He tries to speak with vacationers in their native language. Apparently very hardworking. They work like clockwork. Guys are great. The service is excellent. Outside, the tables are divided into smoking and non-smoking areas. This is great too. But there were some unique vacationers who, sitting at a table near the “No Smoking” sign, could smoke and pretend that they simply did not notice it. There were always enough tables in the restaurant, both under the air conditioner and on the street. Everything is very well calculated.
From the wishes: to put machines with cola, fanta, sprite and thereby relieve a little load from the waiters.
ALA CARTE RESTAURANTS: The hotel has 4 a la carte, which can be visited free of charge once during your stay at the hotel. They work from 19.00 to 21.30. You can sign up at the guest-relation table at the terminal: a ticket is issued for visiting a specific ala carte with a specific date / time and number of people.
With this ticket you need to come to the a la carte. I recommend booking in advance as it can get busy. There are many visitors, and it happens that people sign up and do not come, and the table for them is booked. Therefore, if it is impossible to come or plans have changed, then it is better to warn the guest relation and then the reservation will be canceled. Ala cards: Sandal - fish, Akdeniz - international, Oliva - Italian, Sofra - Turkish. Husband visited all four. My husband liked the Turkish restaurant Sofra the most, he came in admiration for the lamb. Sandal has the fastest service but the smallest portions. In Oliva, you could work on the pizza crust to make it more like an Italian one. Also improve the dessert Tiramisu.
So, BAR KUMSAL: the bar is very close to the sea. Open from 10. Kumsal Bar also offers a full lunch from 12.30 to 14.30, as well as lunch snacks until 17.00. Then only drinks. There is ice cream after dinner, an average of 5 types. During lunch: a lot of grilled dishes: grilled beef cutlets, grilled turkey pieces, lula kebab, meat on a spit, fried whole fish and pieces (bones separate very well), grilled vegetables (tomato, pepper, onion, eggplant, zucchini), boiled cauliflower, or corn, french fries or baked potatoes. On the contrary, you can take pasta or pasta separately, sprinkle with cheese and pour separately prepared sauce. From vegetables: fresh salad of tomatoes and cucumbers with herbs, which can be seasoned with pomegranate sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil of your choice; cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled onions, lettuce and parsley. Delicious pickled cucumbers, olives, black olives, canned corn, red cabbage. From the menu, you can order different types of pizza from the menu (we took Margarita for the child, and for ourselves with seafood), hamburgers, cheeseburgers, different types of pide, omelettes, etc. Orders and drinks are delivered promptly. Waiters do a great job, wipe tables, change ashtrays. No complaints. In the evening they turn their chairs to the stage and get ready for the evening animation. From 11 to 15 nearby in Sofra you can have a bite to eat with different types of gemleze cakes, which a woman bakes on the spot.
HANIMELI PASTRY SHOP: open from 10 to 18 on the first floor of the building opposite the main pool. This is my most favorite place. There were always 5 types of ice cream there. There you will find everything that the soul of a sweet tooth desires: cookies, bizet, cakes, and desserts. You can drink tea or coffee. Those who did not have time for lunch in the main restaurant can take a good sandwich there. A big thank you to the waitresses at this bakery. Always kind and courteous.
KIDS ENTERTAINMENT: there is a mini club, a young club, a playground near the mini club and a small one at the end of the main pool. Miniclub has a separate fenced area. Shed area. On the territory of the miniclub: a trampoline (according to the rules, one child can jump on a trampoline), slides, stairs, swings for the little ones. On the playground there are children's goals for playing football and a basketball hoop. Inside the mini-club: a soft large play area for children, a large designer, a children's hospital, children's cars, a large alphabet that can be folded on the floor. There is a Russian-speaking animator Irina. Very pleasant and balanced girl. She is constantly involved with children. Also pleasant and kind Myuhyu. True, painting T-shirts and painting with sand is paid. In the evening, mini disco and popcorn treats. Inside the mini club there is a toilet with children's washbasins and small toilets. There is a separate room where there are children's beds and even 2 playpens. At the entrance from the other side there are separate cells to leave things. Next to the mini-club behind the fence there is a children's pool for the smallest and one slide in the form of an elephant. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to shoot from a bow (children 16+). On the playground, everything is done for maximum safety: the trees below are wrapped, there are mats on the trampoline. The Young Club is located on the -2nd floor under the reception. This room has billiards, table hockey, a large plasma TV with a set-top box, sofas and chairs. There is table tennis in the lobby in front of the young club. On the ground floor behind the reception there is a library and a recreation room with chess and board games. Our child was drawn there like a magnet.
ADULTS ANIMATION: Friday is the day when animation is turned off at the hotel. And so every day a full program of activities: gymnastics, step, zumba, yoga, aerobics. And on the beach, and by the pool, and in the garden zone there are events. On the beach only volleyball and boccia. Everything else is near the main pool and in the garden area. I would like to mention the chief of animation Ramazan, a very good manager and just a great person who knows how to make concessions. What can not be said about the animator Anna, who held a zumba in the garden zone in the afternoon at 15.30. It looks like she has hearing problems. She turned on the speaker at full power under our windows, so that our heart jumped out in the room. And very often one danced. I understand that it is necessary to carry out animation activities, but you can do everything wisely and do not forget that the hotel also has the concept of family holidays, including those with small children. At the same time, Anna did not make contact, she said: complain to the management, I will not regulate the sound. After contacting the guest relay Gule and the chief of animation Ramazan, the zumba was no longer held under the windows, but on the contrary, also in the garden zone, with the normal sound of music. So the column is perfectly regulated, there would be a desire. An excellent animator girl Anastasia, who conducted yoga lessons. Very flexible, plastic, balanced and very pleasant. Evening animation for adults is very diverse: dancing, acrobats, etc. Particularly interesting was the evening animation on Victory Day 30.08, very patriotic.
PAYING AT THE HOTEL: car rental, doctor's services, photographer's services, laundry and dry cleaning services, telephone and fax, all shops (market, boutique, silver, optician), hairdresser, SPA services, massage and peeling, beauty salon.
FITNESS CENTER: did not visit.
SPA CENTER: did not visit. I don't know the pricing policy.
SHOPPING: There are several options. First: go shopping with a tour operator. Second: independent. Regarding shopping with a tour operator: I have already described the work of the tour operator Join Up Tour in the section. The second option: you can independently go on a dolmush (minibus) to Side or Manavgat. Stop to the right of the entrance to the Barut Hemera Hotel. Only dolmush with the Side-Manavgat sign is suitable. Payment cost: to Side 2 Turkish lira per person, to Manavgat 3 Turkish lira. Taxi is definitely more expensive. In Manavgat, for example, about 15 dollars. It must be understood that Side is a resort village, so prices are higher there, as for tourists. Manavgat is a village further away, about 25 minutes drive, the local population also makes purchases there, the sea is no longer here. Therefore, the prices in Manavgat are lower. Depending on what you decide to buy. If branded clothes, then definitely in Manavgat in shopping centers. Regarding the pricing policy for women's jeans: in Mavi 120-150 Turkish liras, in Waikiki it is possible for 30 Turkish liras, but of a completely different quality. As the local Turks say, Waikiki is somewhat reminiscent of factory China. Exchange rates: 1 dollar: 2.9 Turkish lira, 1 euro: 3.3 Turkish lira. If, for example, you decide to buy just a few magnets, then you can in Side. There is no need to waste time that can be spent at sea. There is also a large market in Manavgat, but, again, I repeat, buy branded clothes only in shopping centers in special departments. As for bed linen: there are almost no family sets with two duvet covers anywhere, but only euro sets with one large duvet cover. In Kemer, last year, for example, there were as many family sets as you like. There is more focus on vacationers from the CIS countries. And in Side, the focus is more on Europeans. Regarding grocery supermarkets: the cheapest is Bim supermarket or A101. Migros is a little more expensive, but the range is large. If you like pomegranate sauce, then God himself ordered to buy it while relaxing in Side, where there are gardens of pomegranate trees. You can buy it in glass, you can buy it in plastic, you can add black carrots, you can clean it, you can buy it in small bottles, you can use large ones. In the duty-free airport of Antalya, prices are much higher. Opposite the hotel there are shops and tents, but you have to bargain. You can also buy small items there. If you really need something urgently, then there are shops on the territory of the hotel. I don't know the prices, I didn't go there. There is also an optician on site.
PHARMACIES: There are 2 pharmacies in front of the exit of the Baruta Hemer Hotel across the road. Plus there are a few more opposite between the Crystal and Defne Star hotels. If you need something, you can easily get it. Turkish lira, dollars and euros are also accepted. Some Turkish-made medicines are cheaper than ours.
EXCURSIONS / WALKS: I personally was only on the ruins of the Ancient City in Side. I traveled at lunchtime myself on a dolmush without a tour operator. All thanks to Gula. You need to get off at a big stop (bass station) in Side, 2 Turkish liras per fare. You can also get there on foot along the promenade. They say not for long, about 30 minutes. You go out and walk to the very end. Went and took pictures. I went to the museum. The cost of visiting the museum is 10 Turkish lira per person. There you need to put the camera in the "No flash" mode. At the end of the village, I took a neoplan for 1 Turkish lira, so as not to climb downhill. Then again on the dolmushe to the hotel. In the evening, you can walk around the hotel, or along the promenade that runs between the beach and the hotel. People walked for 3 km. I have already talked about visits to other hotels of the Barut chain in Side. We walked around the territory of Barut Arum and Barut Jennet. We weren’t at the Barut Andiz hotel, since there is an adult-only vacation, and we were with a five-year-old child. The hotel Barut Sorgun is far away, you need to go by dolmush.
CONCLUSION: we rested in Barut Hemera for 20 days and did not want to leave: the weather is great, the sea is very warm. I can recommend this hotel for families, including children. Real value for money. This is a hotel that you want to return to again, especially if the hotel management continues to offer adequate prices for the rest and will make it even better, given the cons. We have good things to remember. We discovered the Barut hotel chain for ourselves. I wish prosperity to the entire network in Side, Antalya, Kemer, and Fethiye!
BRIEFLY:
ADVANTAGES OF THE HOTEL: well-groomed and green territory of the hotel, excellent work of guest relations, excellent work of waiters, the presence of bathrobes and slippers in the room, no bracelets, no cards for towels, the possibility of intermediate snacks, clean and warm sea, a sufficient number of tables in the restaurant, availability in the room there is an electric kettle and a tea set, the presence of a beach bag in the room, a sufficient number of sunbeds on the beach and by the pools, excellent and timely replenishment of the minibar in the room, long-term work of the confectionery, the presence of racks for washing feet and showers on the beach, the absence of mosquitoes on the territory of the hotel and in the rooms, the presence of a water cooler on the beach, a working Bary star children's system, the possibility of free use of an iron and ironing board, a perfectly working air conditioning system, real value for money.
CONS OF THE HOTEL: stones of volcanic origin in the sea, remoteness from the airport, lack of rooms with a direct sea view, misunderstandings with some hotel employees, cats roaming around the hotel, dirty water storage on the beach and garbage near the volleyball court, lack of canned and packaged food for infants, topless sunbathing older women on the beach in a hotel with an active children's holiday concept.
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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