Having update our Tui Blue App, just before we left home, enabled us to check in even quicker than in previous years. The reception team literally just had to check a few things (they also asked if we had any allergies, and advised what to do if we did have them). Mustafa took our bags to our room and within 10 minutes of our arrival, we were having a drink in the bar!
The first thing that struck me, was that there was more of a variety of guests, different nationalities and type of guest - not everyone was a tourist ! Personally, I think that just highlights how good the hotel really is. As always, the hotel throughout, is absolutely immaculate, the cleaners work so hard and around the clock ensuring everything is as it should be. I didnt have much interaction with our room cleaner, Ayfer, but if I walked past her in the corrider - she was always smiling and friendly, our room was always spotless. I must give Gulay in the restaurant a special Hello as she is just a very special lady. The animation team, were excellent, lovely to have Zafer back ! Tuhan, Mustafa, Caca and Zee - thank you for encouraging people to get involved, there was never a dull moment with the guys about! The entertainment was excellent, we really enjoyed the Pop Art night - fantastic singers, great song set too. The African Acrobats, were very good! Really enjoyed having the White night one Saturday and the following Saturday night - the La Hora Loca Night - great idea to alternate ! We took part in the Aqua Fit - a great workout - without being too strenous! So thank you Gaukhar! The food as always was very tasty - lots of variety and I did try to stick to eating sensibly, but did succumb to a few puddings and chocolate squares. The fruit was super fresh and tasty. The afternoon cakes, were lovely and the food in the Green and Grill excellent. Again, the staff never let you go without a drink and literally have a drink ready for you as you are sitting down at a table. How they can remember what every guest drinks is beyond me - especially when you go to the restaurant on the first day of your holiday! This year, we decided to use our 1 free visit to Levante, I have to say that this was the best food I have ever had there, service was on point and the food was as good as it would be in a top class restaurant here in the UK . Thank you to all of the team from Eyup, Sezai right down to the kitchen staff, Our waiters during our holidays were the wonderful Bayram, Mehmet, Ismail and Deniz, Ahmed, Taylan, Celen and Mustafa.
The bar team as always - service with a smile! As a must on our holiday, we made Cocktails with Baris, at his Cocktail class, such fun - its the first thing we book as it gets filled up very quickly. Highly recommended! A huge thank you to everyone for all of your hard work, Baris, Vedat, Dogan Sultan, Tugce, Tuba, the pool bar boys, Serkan, Baris and Volkan. This year, I enjoyed a facial with Ayse - oh my word it was amazing, thank you Bilal for organising it at the Spa. Highly recommended, I will be booking in another one or two next year! My skin felt absolutely fabulous. A change in the Blue Guides, this year, Yasemin and Muhammet had some big shoes to fill, but they are well on the path. One thing we love about the Hotel is the development of the staff and seeing them being mentored to bigger roles, they are definitely learning from the best ! Maxine, was lovely when we spoke with her too.
Apolgies at this point, to the staff I have missed off this list - you are all fantastic and really make our holiday. My final Thank You is to Sharon, the GM. Thank you for the bottom of my heart, thank you for being there, thank you for the hugs, when we needed them. Thank you for running the hotel and being passionate about encouraging your team to provide exceptional service and encouraging them to reach and achieve goals that they wouldnt get in other establishments. Thank you for keeping our 2nd home a special place in our hearts. Congratulations on your new Trip Advisors Traveller's choice 2026 - Top 10% worldwide ! So deserved. x