Here we go. I travel a lot and have been so lucky to have worked as a travel journalist, staying in some of the most luxurious accommodation in the world. I knew that Turkey/Hisaronu wouldn’t offer me the same level of luxury but was keen to visit the place my boyfriend has enjoyed for many years as a repeat visitor to the area. So I set about doing my research, including Tripadvisor and the Facebook group dedicated to holidaying in the town. I’m happy to say that we made the right choice, mostly because:
Great team - friendly, fun, welcoming and determined that you have a good holiday. Ali, Mehmet and their colleagues run a tight ship and are always available to talk to. Thumbs up! Malik, Ozcan and our cleaner were so nice.
Spotlessly clean - yes, the wallpaper in our room was tired but there wasn’t a speck of dust or a single dirty mark. Really beautifully cleaned - perfect.
Breakfast - varied to a degree, tasty and the setting is nice.
Pool bar - delicious lunches, attentive friendly service and so relaxing to while away a few hours. We loved it.
Location, location - couldn’t fault it. Right there, where you’d want to be.
Bar/evening/late night - lovely atmosphere and top guy hosting… Sorry, can’t remember his name.
So, what wasn’t right?
The bed. Easily the most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept in. I put the two extra duvets on but I had maximum four nights’ sleep a night and that’s not ok on holiday. We were in room 1202 and found out that other beds are better but were reluctant to move from this fab location. Beds can be firm but hard and really uncomfortable isn’t acceptable.
No comfortable lounging spots, partly because of the bed. I like to have a lie in or lounge around a bit on holiday but there is no soft seating in the room.
Sunbed wars. Towels appear from 6am and I actually think it’s a joke. It’s a British thing, granted, but it’s so embarrassing and the hotel absolutely should do something about it. Families putting towels out before sunrise then not turning up til 2pm? No! Of course it’s partly a problem because you have to have your own towel - the hotel doesn’t provide them. I don’t get it at all and it’s so pathetic. If you’ve ever put your towel on the sunbed in the middle of the night, shame on you!
Don’t let my review put you off because Ocean Blue is great in many more ways that it’s bad, but the comfort of the beds and stamping out sunbed wars would go a long way towards making it perfect.