The almost complete absence of them forced me to write a review. Do not be lazy, write, it will help us to make the right choice. Now in order:
- the choice of a travel company turned to CORAL travel as a company that has maintained leadership in the Turkish market for many years and has survived in recent years
- choice of resort were strictly tied to the return on January 9, according to the flight schedule, only Uludag (Bursa) was received
-the choice of the hotel according to the description I liked 3 - Agaoglu My Resort (5 *) , Monte Baia (4 *), Grand Yazici (4 *). The list of 4(! ) hotels that CORAL sells in Uludag includes only Grand Yazici. Apparently due to late booking and the lack of a room of the required category (suit), a refusal came from the hotel, and we were forced to choose from those available. CORAL persistently (I don't want to speculate for what reasons, but judging by all the weighty ones for them) recommends the KARINNA (4 *) hotel to all tourists, as a hotel with an excellent reputation, service, food, in which we ended up.
The zone of hotels and (conditionally) slopes in Uludag is divided into 2 parts: 1st central with the main group of hotels, ski lifts and at least some infrastructure; and the 2nd, in which there are 3 operating, 1 hotels under construction and... nature all around. CORAL managers do not hush up this moment, but quite seriously report that between 2 zones - only 500 meters - and you can walk or ski here and there. In fact, you can ski from one zone to another by trying specially through several lifts and descents, the walk will take from 30 to 40 minutes down then steeply up or by taxi (10 lire one way), so just walk will not work.
- flight a / c URAL AIRLINES (Corala package offer) with a 30-minute delay in departure caused by the passengers themselves, and almost 4 hours back for unknown reasons (check-in was quick, but without seating arrangements, as representatives of the Ural Airlines did not appear neither at check-in, nor later, when passengers tried to find out why they were not being put on a plane that was standing on the field). The service on board is very good.
- transfer, escort at the hotel by the meeting company ODEON - from Bursa airport is not quite organized, but quickly seated on large buses. The hotel found that one suitcase was missing, they found it with the guide in the previous hotel. All guides are Turks, speaking Russian quite decently. They don’t know the region, everyone is here for the first time (the main place of work is Antalya), but they are welcoming, friendly, respond to all requests and problems, and help
The hotel left a very specific impression. The staff does not speak Russian and this seems to be the policy of the hotel, as from time to time someone strays from English into Russian. This is strange, because most of the tourists are from Russia, Ukraine (many Turks, Azerbaijanis, Europeans heard only 2). I can tell you right now that I don't want to go back.
- accommodation In the voucher the suit number was declared. It matches the description on the Coral tr website except for having 2 bathrooms. The hotel receptionist assured us that the description is false, bathroom 1 and we got what we booked(? ). Rooms are cleaned daily, but there is no specific time, maybe at 11, and at 14 and in the evening, they change towels, soap, shampoo, gel, shower cap, cotton pads. There were slippers in the room, bathrobes were brought at the request of the guide. Free internet in rooms and lobby. We got for several days of snowfall, double-glazed windows with cracks, there was a blow from the windows, and in a strong wind they were afraid that the glass would break, the double-glazed window made sounds from horror films. At the reception, the first thing they asked was the date of departure. Upon learning that there were 2 nights left, they promised to send a worker. Further... silence.
- restaurant All inc. was declared in the voucher. On the day of arrival, being late for lunch, we safely purchased (! ) Drinks in a cafe at our own expense. By chance in the evening, seeing a red bracelet on one of the women, they asked the guide what kind of food we had. It turned out that the hotel reservation indicated FullBoard, and the voucher All inc. After clarifications and agreements, we became happy owners of bracelets, the amount for drinks in the check-out was reduced to us. There is a lot of food, tasty, but simply, there is no variety. The waiters are friendly and attentive.
- the pool is small, but you can swim quietly until 5 o'clock. Then the children's games begin, jumping 100-kg uncles from the side, etc. You can use the sauna for free, shared, but quite spacious. You can borrow a towel from the pool.
- SPA-center services are paid and not cheap. I tried only the hammam: the price is 20 dollars or 30 liras for a 45 minute stay. After sitting for 10 minutes in a poorly heated room, she called the administrator, she started hot water and advised to pour from the tap in order not to freeze. Since another 10 minutes later, practically nothing has changed, I called the spa worker again. This time I was told that the stone is warm - warm, hot water from the tap - hot, if it is warmer, then people who will be given foam peeling massage (there were none at that moment) will feel bad, there should not be any humid, not hot. Went to warm up in the room. The SPA center team is international, to be honest, I didn’t want to use their services
- skiing, etc. , there is no free ski-passa, the hotel really has its own lift, right from the exit from the ski center, that's all. The cost of a ski-pass at the hotel is 110 lira (this is for 4 days), you can buy it from ½ day to 4. You can move freely throughout the mountain. (If you are not too lazy, then in the 1st ski area you can buy it from 85 to the same 110 lira in different places. ) Rental on the spot, you can rent a locker - 15 lira / day. In the ski center, the staff is pleasant, sane. Riding in Uludag is good. The only thing that may not be interesting for super-pros and brand lovers, no one here looks at it. The location of the trails, the length allows you to find something of your own. Not so much for snowboarders. Track care for 3.4-y.
Near the hotel there is a beautiful natural park, you can walk or ride a snowmobile to the observation deck, it is very beautiful. From the 1st zone, you can take a minibus to the cable car in Bursa for 3.5 lira, it makes sense: it’s beautiful (the landscape changes from snow to green grass right before your eyes), minibuses regularly depart from the station in Bursa to the city center.
From the excursions they offer a picnic, Bursa, Istanbul and a hammam in Bursa. It makes sense to go to Bursa ($55), the city is very beautiful, the temperature difference is impressive: at the top -8 and a snowstorm, at the bottom +14 and roses bloom. The only obscure part was the shopping part of the trip to some strange shopping centers, although there are many different ones there.
You can go to Uludag, but the choice must be made correctly.
I want to note right away that before that, for 3 years in a row, we went by car to the Czech Republic and Poland (Zakopane). But since this year we opted for Turkey, 2 hours in the summer and here we are in Bursa, but the snow is not very much! Jokes have begun, from the series we will ride on the grass)). We were met by a guide, seated on the bus and reassured that everything would be fine with snow, they say, wait until we climb the mountains! And he didn't cheat! The higher we climbed, the more and more snow became! An hour drive and here it is a winter fairy tale! With the weather calmed down and now looked out for our hotel! The hotel was chosen by Karina 4 *! Well, here it is our house for the next week! Besides us, there were many people who also went to this hotel. And they were not mistaken, the hotel is cool, there is everything for the rest of both skiers and sympathizers)) - swimming pool, spa center, bars, disco (super!! )
As always, Turkey is Turkey! Bribes with its "all inclusive"! You can't ride like that in Europe! And here you pay for everything at once and rest yourself in peace! Lifts are free!!! , food - I don't want to eat all day long! The food is varied: salads, chicken, meat, fruits (apples, oranges) and of course your favorite sweets!
Most of all I liked that the hotel has access directly to the ski lifts! You don’t need to drag your skis anywhere, you get out, or rather you leave the rental room immediately to the ski lift! In total, there are 7 lifts in the 2nd zone, of varying difficulty!
The equipment is paid! Has a storage room
Of course, equipment rental is paid and in the 2nd zone it is more expensive! But at the same time, all the equipment is new! On the way back on the plane, we talked with the guys who lived in Caravanserai (1st ski area), their rental came out cheaper, but the skis were old!
The guide said that Karina is famous for her ski instructors! But we didn't check it, because we've been skiing for years! I advise everyone to ride a snowmobile - it's such a thrill! pleasure costs 90 dollars (fits 2-3 people)
I also wanted to say a few words about the room... very comfortable, warm and homely, large in size, the only negative is that there is no safe in the room, only at the reception (free of charge)
In general, I want to say that I did not expect that in Turkey you can have such a good rest in winter! This trip left a warm impression! Perhaps this winter we will fly there too)). Since it is very convenient, a direct flight certainly captivates!