Is the hotel suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the hotel has a great kids' program, with plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained. The beach is also perfect for swimming and sunbathing, and the pine forest on site is a lovely place for a quiet walk or a picnic.

What kind of food is available at the hotel?

The hotel has a range of dining options, including a restaurant, a bar, and a snack bar. The food is delicious, with plenty of options to suit every taste.

Is the hotel located near the airport?

The hotel is about an hour or an hour and a half from the airport, depending on traffic. It's a bit of a drive, but it's worth it for the beautiful scenery and the relaxed atmosphere.

Can I smoke on the premises?

Unfortunately, there are some smokers on the premises, but the hotel does have designated smoking areas. Just be aware that the hotel is a non-smoking facility, and the smokers can be a bit of a nuisance.

Are there any activities or amenities available at the hotel?

Yes, the hotel has a range of activities and amenities, including a kids' program, a fitness center, a spa, and a range of water sports. There's also a lovely pine forest on site, which is perfect for a quiet walk or a picnic.

Can I rent a car at the hotel?

Yes, the hotel has a car rental service, which can be arranged through the front desk. It's a great way to explore the local area and get to the nearby attractions.

Is the hotel pet-friendly?

Unfortunately, the hotel does not allow pets, but there are some nearby hotels that do. It's worth checking with the hotel directly to confirm their pet policy.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my booking?

Yes, the hotel has a cancellation policy in place, which allows for refunds in certain circumstances. It's worth checking with the hotel directly to confirm their cancellation policy.

S'ide Region Hotel Review: A Hidden Gem

Name: This 4-star gem beats some budget 5-star hotels in key areas, but don't expect perfection
Item: Club Hotel Sidelya 4* in Manavgat, Turkey
Rating: 5
Author: tomWalker7

We chose the S'ide region for our last vacation, looking for a sandy beach and a pine forest on the hotel grounds.

The drive from the airport takes about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic and the number of hotels your transfer goes to.

Main entranceRooms

The hotel consists of separate buildings.

There are no elevators inside, you have to climb the stairs.

Next to our building was a beautiful tree.

In the room, there are two beds - a large double bed and a small single bed.

BedThe small bed is right in front of the air conditioner, so be careful not to catch a cold.

EntranceThere's a closet and a nightstand at the entrance door. The closet has several shelves, a clothes rack, and a small safe. The closet is spacious enough if you don't bring half the closet with you on vacation.

TableThere's a table, a mirror in the room. Under the table, there's a mini-bar. TVThe TV is more for show, it's small. But we didn't even turn it on most of the time. Bathroom 1The bathroom has a shower cabin, a sink, and a toilet. There's enough space, it's not cramped.

Bathroom 2 Bathroom 3The shower curtain is good, it covers the rest of the space from the water, and nothing leaks onto the floor.

Balcony 2The balcony is small, it's better to dry towels on the railing.

Balcony 1 They've got a clothesline for smaller items.

The view from the balcony depends on which way your windows face. We had a fence on one side and some greenery on the other.

View from the balcony 1

View from the balcony 2 Pools

There are a few pools on the grounds - a kids' pool with water slides, a big adult pool, and another one that's not in any of my photos. I'm not a big fan of pools, but the kids had a blast.

The rest of the territory

There's a kids' play area, but it's not really our scene, so I didn't take any photos. There are some really nice trees and a football field.

Grapes Football field The terrain's not flat here, with some steep slopes and hills. If you've got any mobility issues, keep that in mind. Beach

The beach is a bit of a walk, about 7 minutes on foot. There's also a shuttle that'll take you there.

Beach Road Our beach had comfortable loungers and a canopy for shade. They even provided mattresses for the loungers. The entrance to the sea was sandy, and the depth increased gradually, making it perfect for kids who aren't confident swimmers. If you need more depth, you can swim to the neighboring hotel's territory (to the right), where the seafloor is different and the depth increases faster.

Fish Restaurant

The fish restaurant on the beach was a highlight of our stay. It's located on the beach bar's territory and opens in the evening. Be sure to book in advance, as it's a popular spot. They had a great selection of cold appetizers.

Appetizers 1 Appetizers 2 They served delicious fresh bread with the appetizers. Next up was a dish of shrimp in a tomato sauce topped with a cheesy crust. Baked Shrimp After the shrimp, they brought out a salad.

Salad For the main course, they had several types of fish to choose from, and everything we tried was delicious.

Hot - hake Hot - pike on the grillLight dessert from baked pumpkin DessertDrinks - wine, lemonade (for kids), water.

A separate bonus - a stunning view from the table by the sea

View of the seaMain restaurant

In the main restaurant, the main meals take place. I didn't take a photo of all the food, there's just too much of it. Just a few examples

The sweet table is amazing. There's no photo of the buns and bread, but they're also super tasty.

Sweet table 1 Sweet table 2We regularly got watermelon, melon, strawberries. There's also always apples, pears, plums, peaches. Bananas are there, but not every day. FruitsMeat dishes, side dishes, snacks, salads in a wide variety

I'm not a fan of fast food, but the fries they make there are a masterpiece. I couldn't help myself and snatched a piece or two from the kids' plates. RollsI wasn't a fan of the rolls, unfortunately. We didn't order them again after that.

The wine in the main restaurant is of surprisingly good quality. Most of the time, in budget hotels, the wine is mediocre, but not here.

The restaurant has a kids' zone with a separate menu and small tables.

Kids' Zone 1 Kids' Zone 2 Kids' Zone 3Drinks at the Lobby

I tried a bunch of different cocktails at the lobby bar, but I'm not even sure what most of them were called.

Strawberry Mojito Pina Colada Turkish Coffee Sex on the BeachOther Food

They make gazleme for us after 12 days on the beach, and they serve ice cream at dinner from 3 to 4 pm.

Ice Cream There are bars with fast food on the beach and near the pools, but we didn't go there often. We preferred the main restaurant.Staff

This hotel is 'German', and there are more Germans than Russians here, which is probably why everything is so tidy.

We had a few issues with the front door and the air conditioner, but the staff fixed them quickly. The waiters and bartenders are friendly and polite.

Not all staff speak Russian, so be prepared to use your school English if you need to.

Surroundings

There's a small Migros store just a 5-minute walk from the hotel where you can buy some essentials. There are also some markets nearby, but they're a bit pricey. If you walk along the promenade for about 30 minutes, you'll find a bridge where you can see big turtles in the morning.

TurtlesIf you walk along the promenade in the evening, you might spot some hedgehogs on the lawn.

HedgehogThere's a bus stop near the hotel, and you can take it to the city center or Ancient Side for some shopping or sightseeing. The fare is 40 Turkish lira.

Are there any downsides?

Yeah, but they won't be a big deal for everyone. The soundproofing in the rooms is basically non-existent. If you're unlucky with your neighbors, you'll hear everything from yelling to a kid crying. If you get a room closer to the pool and amphitheater, you'll be hearing music till late at night. Our room was closer to the beach exit, and it was pretty chill.

Germans smoke like chimneys outside, and it's a real nuisance. You can't even eat on the terrace without getting a whiff of cigarette smoke.

On the beach, you can spot German women sunbathing topless. And I'm not talking about the young crowd - we're talking about women in their 40s and 50s. We adults couldn't care less, but the kids were in shock. We had to explain why 'Auntie forgot to put on her bra'.

The animation is also geared towards Germans. You can't leave your kid unattended in the kids' club for too long, or they'll just get lost. For us, the animation wasn't even necessary, but it might be a deal-breaker for some.

The Verdict

The hotel is awesome. The food and service are top-notch - 5 stars all the way. The beach and territory are above and beyond. There's plenty of stuff to see and do nearby.

Check out my other Turkey reviews in 2024:

My flight with Azur Air

Using my UnionPay card in Turkey

Hot air balloon ride over Pamukkale