Rated 5 out of 5 by
Kerrie77 Fantastic all-inclusive holiday!
We stayed at the Royal Dragon for 10 nights in May 2012 and absolutely loved it. The accommodation and grounds were well maintained and immaculate. The food was varied and of good quality; I'm a vegetarian and our 4 year old can be a fussy eater, but we always found something to suit us all. On some all-inclusive holidays it can become a bit monotonous eating in the same restaurant three times a day, but that's not the case on this holiday. We often had the late breakfast in the bistro; less choice than the main restaurant (still plenty to choose from though) and more relaxed. We didn't eat in the restaurant at lunchtimes; we used the snack bars around the pool, the Turkish tent, the beach restaurant (our favourite!) and the water park cafe. The early dinner for youngsters is great; a mini-buffet with everything you need in a small area before the main dining room opens. The restaurant is busy in the evening and the choice can be a bit overwhelming; you can get sandwiches and cake in the coffee shop if you fancy a change. We ate in the Turkish and the Italian a la carte restaurants twice (you get one visit per week), but apart from being quieter and having waiter service I don't think the food was much different or any better than in the main restaurant. Anyway, enough about food! The pool is great, and the kids loved the water park and the funfair, we couldn't believe that absolutely everything was all-inclusive, we expected a catch somewhere but there wasn't. We only discovered the spa on the last day - again, no charge unless you want a treatment. I had a facial and massage which was on special offer, nice way to end the holiday. The entertainment team were good, the right balance of letting you get involved if you want without putting you under any pressure. Some of the shows were better than others; Michael Jackson and the magic show definitely worth a watch. The only slightly negative things were the stretch of beach at the back of the hotel is ok but not the nicest beach, there are probably better ones a bus ride away. We usually spend little time in the resort when we're on holiday as we like getting out sightseeing, but we didn't do that this holiday - mostly because there is so much to do in the hotel that you don't feel the need, but when we did go off the complex the surrounding area is quite run down and when we went into Side to visit the harbour we got so much hassle from restaurant and bar staff stopping us every minute, it got a bit annoying. British guests are in the minority, but we didn't mind that, the kids still made plenty of friends. There were no English TV channels (except the news) so the kids were watching cartoons in German! No tea / coffee in rooms which is a shame, but plenty of soft drinks and beers provided in the mini-bar. We found the majority of staff helpful and pleasant, and they left a cake in our room on my birthday which was a nice touch. Overall, a fabulous holiday, great value for money, wish we'd booked for two weeks! We'll definitely go back.
October 16, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by MattMar Absolutely Fantastic holiday
We just came back from The Royal Dragon Resort where we stayed for 5 nights and had a brilliant time. The hotel is massive and even though there were alot of people staying at the resort (according to the staff), we never felt crowded and were always able to find an empty deck chair, seat/table at the restuarants, never had to wait for food/drinks/service, everything was perfect!
We stayed at the resort from 2 May to 7 May 2013 and believe that is the perfect time to visit. The temperatures averaged between 32oC to 39.5oC and the cost of certain things (ie like the professional photo package, gift shop etc) were still at low season prices. Apparently a week later and the summer prices kick in.
The amount and quality of the food and drinks at the resort was outstanding. We have stayed in many hotels in countries all over the world yet we have never seen an all-inclusive package that is as comprehensive as this one. The Thomas Cook reps at both the transport service and at the resort were very helpful and friendly. Have highly recommended this hotel to all our friends and one has already booked a trip there. Fantastic holiday.
May 9, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by 46Michael Great Holiday and Great weather for his time of year in this part of Turkey
As soon as we arrived felt comfortable with the reception staff.Best Hotel in the area, service and cleanliness excellent, entertainment everynight mainly for all the famiy. Entertainment team try to involve everyone in what is going on or tell everyone about the days shows.Weather was great.
If you just want to relax by the barfor a quiet drink plenty of room for all. Recommend duplex rooms. Minor issue if you want to go back to the room and watch TV for an hour (Only news channels).Will definetly go back.
October 14, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by meg77 perfect family holiday for family with teenagers and toddlers
we have been to this hotel for the second year running , purely because the holiday suited us all , fussy hubby who dosnt like holidays , 16 &14 yr old who were entertained and a 3 & 4 yr old who were also entertained , which gave me a great holiday ,the standard is high in everything from food to cleanliness to service .the entertainment has improved from the previous year , this year it was very good ,i would recommend this hotel , there is nothing to find fault about whatsoever, and thats coming from someone who finds fault quite easily what lovely people also..highly recommended.
October 13, 2012
Rated 3 out of 5 by anita66 nice but no entertainment
food great, too much choice, staff nice but nothing to do and no entertainment well there was some but not proper entertainment.
good value and nice hotel
October 11, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Gillybobs Excellent family holiday at the Royal Dragon Resort, Side
We normally holiday in Autumn/Winter or Spring due to our business but really wanted a summer holiday this year so we pushed the boat out a bit! However, it was money very well spent as we had an excellent time. Highly recommend the Royal Dragon Resort.
Day times spent by the pool or on the beach. Excellent variety of pools and the waterpark was a firm favourite for an afternoon visit. We tried all the beach activities and ended up buying the cd of pictures for each one - a bit pricey in the end but they took such good photos it was hard to resist!
The food was very good - so much choice that we spent some evenings wandering around the options but better this way.
The hotel is very impressive and all areas immaculate at all times. The room was big and well furnished, cleaned and tidied up every day. Balcony a bit small but as we were out all day and the evenings were so warm, it was not really used much.
All the staff were great - friendly and helpful. One slight negative - the shop in the hotel was selling laser pens which are terrible things in the hands of children who pointed them everywhere including people.....we did complain to the front desk who advised that the shop was independent.....they need to get to grip with this. We also brought it up with our Rep.
We tend not to go back to the same place but we intend trying out some of the other hotels in the same group.
October 11, 2012
Rated 3 out of 5 by tuppencejim Good family holiday in Turkey but needs some improvements
We had a nice family holiday in the Royal Dragon Resort in Turkey but I believe this hotel is not very well catered for if you are English. There was about 50 English people in the whole hotel and the rest seem to be Germans. I would go back to this hotel but not in the summer season as it was too crowded and busy
October 11, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Glorious Great holiday in Turkey!
My husband and I have just returned from an all inclusive weeks holiday at the Royal Dragon Resort Hotel nr Side,, Turkey. This hotel was recommended to us by my son and his family who went in June of this year. On entering the hotel lobby the attention to detail is amazing, look for the dragons, everyday ,you notice something different this theme is carried throughout the complex. Our room was beautiful, we had a side sea view room directly opposite the big wheel and the fun fair although we were concerned this might cause some noise it closed at 9.30 pm so no problem. The food was excellent and catered for all tastes and cultures, The staff were helpful and friendly. This is a very family friendly hotel, with lots of activities for children. I noticed there were ramps all around the complex for wheelchairs, so people with mobility problems can move around with ease. There was a rule that no sunbeds were to be reserved before 9am any towels found before this time would be removed. Hooray I thought no getting up too early for the race for a bed. However, first morning by 9 am all beds were taken, so there we are back to rising early again. If you want to just stay in the hotel complex and rest and swim by the pool, then this is the place to be, however if you want to see some of the area around its more difficult, this seems to be a new development in
Progress, with the potential for more hotels. My husband likes to explore the area but we were a bit isolated for much exploring and in August with temperatures reaching 42 it was too hot for a lot of walking. My husband and I look forward to going back again with our son, daughter in law and grandchildren, but not in August.
August 22, 2012