Turkey's Palm Club Apart Otel: Paradise Found!
Palm Club Apart Otel: Paradise Found?! (Maybe, Let's Discuss) - A Rambling, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Palm Club Apart Otel in Turkey, and my brain is still buzzing like a faulty Turkish power outlet. This isn't your typical polished travel brochure review. This is the messy, hilarious, and brutally honest account of my stay. Prepare for a winding road, because let me tell you, this place was something.
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First Impressions (and a Prayer for Smooth Sailing)
Driving up, the Palm Club looks… promising. A bit… well, Mediterranean, in that slightly-worn-around-the-edges way. The exterior corridor – a definite plus for ventilation, giving you a sense of freedom, but also a slight reminder that you’re relying on the weather, and probably the hotel maintenance. I was definitely hoping for a good, hot Turkish summer breeze to blow through. Parking? Free! Hallelujah! Found a spot, perfect, sorted. Car park on-site: YES!
Accessibility – The Mixed Bag (and Me, Wondering About My Back)
Okay, let’s be real. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate places that try. The website boasted "Facilities for disabled guests," so I had high hopes. The main areas seemed okay – the lobby was accessible, the elevator was a marvel (slow, but a marvel!). But I can't truly speak to the full accessibility experience. I saw a lift, but whether it consistently works or allows for perfect navigation… can someone tell me? This is a big miss, not just for those with mobility issues, but for the concept of inclusiveness. This isn’t a pass or fail; it’s a major “consider more” area.
Rooms: Functionality Over Flair (and That Glorious Blackout Curtain)
Right, the room. Air conditioning: essential. Check. (Though, it did sound like a wheezing walrus sometimes). Air Conditioning in public area too? Excellent. The bed? Surprisingly comfy. Extra long bed? YES! (Bless the Turkish hospitality!). There was a laptop workspace, but honestly, with that view, who wanted to work? (More on that view later). The bathroom? Functional. The hairdryer? Adequate. The mini bar? A lifesaver for late-night thirst. And the blackout curtains…oh, sweet, glorious blackout curtains. They saved me from a near-insane level of sleep deprivation. Pure bliss. These are a huge selling point.
Sadly, there was no "Couple's room", and the soundproofing only helped a bit.
Cleanliness & Safety - The Sanitizer Symphony
Okay, I'm usually a bit of a germaphobe, but even I was impressed. They had everything: Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Double-check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Seems like it. Staff trained in safety protocol? I think so – they wore masks, but my Turkish is… rusty. The room was definitely sanitized between stays. There was the offer to opt-out of room sanitization – a small, but good, touch. They seemed to take it seriously, which I appreciated. The fact the room had a safe box and fire extinguisher made me feel comfortable too!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – A Culinary Adventure (Sometimes)
Breakfast, included, was a buffet situation. Breakfast [buffet]: YES! Western breakfast? Not quite. Asian breakfast? Heck no! It was a Turkish breakfast. Think olives, cheeses, bread, some weird but delicious spreads, and the occasional rogue sausage. I’m not complaining. I love a breakfast buffet (who doesn't?). The coffee, however, was a… strong experience. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes! But not always good coffee.
There’s a pool-side bar, which is a must. Happy hour? You betcha! The a la carte restaurant was alright. I did not encounter any "Asian cuisine in restaurant", though. Salad in restaurant? Yes. Restaurants: plural? Yes. I didn't take advantage of most of it because I was too busy soaking up the SUN and sipping a cold Efes. I actually did not encounter "Desserts in restaurant," either, but perhaps I missed it.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Palm Club's Playground
Okay, the pool. The pool with a view. Holy moly. The photos don’t do it justice. Seriously, just…wow. The pool was probably my favorite feature, because I was able to relax and enjoy the day! There were plenty of umbrellas, the water was the perfect temperature, and even the odd inflatable flamingo didn't ruin the vibe.
They had a spa, a sauna, and a steamroom. I am not a spa person (I’m more of a "sun and Efes" kind of guy), but they looked inviting. I did stumble upon the fitness center once and decided it wasn't for me. Not my cup of tea.
Services & Conveniences – The Good, the Bad, and the Surprisingly Handy
The staff were, for the most part, lovely. The concierge was helpful (although I didn't test them that much). The elevator? Well, it existed. The Wi-Fi was… spotty, but free. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Technically, yes, but it was frequently a ghost. The laundry service was a lifesaver (hello, bathing suits!), and the daily housekeeping kept things shipshape. There was also a convenience store, and a cash withdrawal service.
One day, I managed to catch the staff on cleaning in the public areas. They were diligent. The place feels safe!
For the Kids – Family Fun (or Maybe Not)
Family/child-friendly? I think so. The pool is a major draw, and I saw some kids splashing around. But I can’t comment on the kids' facilities, because I don't have any kids, and I'm pretty sure a foam party wouldn't have been my idea of a fun time.
Getting Around – Airport Transfers and the Taxi Tango
Airport transfer available? Yep. Car park [free of charge], even better. Getting around was easy enough, but I mainly stuck around the hotel.
My Overarching Experience (The Verdict!)
The Palm Club Apart Otel is not perfect. It has its issues. Some are minor, some… well, let's just say they add to the charm. But, for the price, the location, the stunning pool, and the all-around chill vibe? I'd go back. I absolutely would. It's not flawless; it's human!
Final Thoughts
Go in with realistic expectations, embrace the imperfections, and prepare to be charmed. And definitely take advantage of that pool. You won’t regret it. Just BYO strong coffee.
Escape to Paradise: 15-BR Onsen Hotel w/ Private Garden in City ThailandOkay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your glossy travel brochure itinerary. This is my Palm Club Apart Otel Turkey, warts and all, diary. Get ready for a rollercoaster of sun, questionable food choices, and the occasional existential crisis, all nestled between the salty air and the turquoise dream of Turkey.
The Palm Club Apart Otel: My Turkey Travails (and Triumph, Maybe)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pancake Panic
14:00: Touchdown in Dalaman! After almost throwing up on the plane (turbulence always gets me), I finally stumbled out, blinking into the Mediterranean sun. Okay, okay, Turkey, I'm here. Now, where's that airport transfer… (five minutes later) Found it! A battered minivan that smelled faintly of petrol and hope.
16:00: Arrived at The Palm Club. First impression? Not bad! Actually pretty damn good. The pool gleaming in the sun, the air filled with the promise of a proper vacation. Apartment: spacious, clean, a balcony. My inner sunbather did a little happy dance.
17:00: The Great Pancake Panic. I decided, heroically, to make pancakes to celebrate my arrival. It sounded easy, a morning-show montage of flinging batter and sunny smiles. Reader, it was not. The pan was… sticky. I burned the first batch to a charcoal-y crisp. The second… well, let’s just say they resembled pale, lumpy frisbees. My stomach did its own unhappy dance this time. Gave up on pancakes and opted for a hastily-purchased bag of crisps and a Coke – the real breakfast of champions.
19:00: Sunset stroll to the beach. Magic. Actually, proper, honest-to-God, magic. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery colours. Seriously, I almost started crying. (Don't judge. Jet lag is a beast.)
20:00: Dinner at a local restaurant: Chicken shish kebab. Delicious! Finally, a win. I chatted to the waiter, he seemed genuinely nice. Now the sky is becoming filled with stars.
Day 2: Sunburn, Sea Slugs (Maybe, I Hope Not), and a Shopping Spree (Which Was a Disaster)
09:00: Attempted a "proper" breakfast: yogurt with honey and some kind of Turkish bread. Okay, okay. This might work. Sunscreen check.
10:00: Beach time! I applied factor 50 like my life depended on it. I'm fairly sure the sun laughed. I think I have a lobster, and that's just by standing on the shore.
13:00: Lunch at a beachside cafe. I ordered grilled fish, hoping to avoid the culinary catastrophe I'd experienced the previous day. The fish was… fine. My attempt to order it in Turkish (a valiant effort involving hand gestures and the word "balık") was met with tolerant smiles.
15:00: The Sea Slugs (or whatever they are). I went for a swim. It was beautiful and peaceful as I was looking down at the sand . . . and then I saw things. I'm not sure what they were (sea slugs? Alien life forms? My deepest, darkest fears made manifest?). I screamed. I swam, with astonishing speed. I didn't go back in the water.
16:00: Shopping… it was all downhill after the slugs. I ventured into the local market. I’m generally terrible at haggling, and I quickly got scammed. Three identical (and probably fake) Turkish scarves later and a feeling of utter defeat. Ended the day with a very large and very angry ice cream.
19:00: Balcony sunset. Sipping Turkish coffee (that I didn't make), trying to regroup. Planning my revenge on the shops (I'll probably just eat more ice cream tomorrow).
Day 3: Turkish Bath, and a Dance With Myself (Metaphorically, of Course)
10:00: Turkish bath! Seriously the best. I got scrubbed raw and then massaged into a state of near-bliss. The hamman was a steaming marble palace, the rough cloth that wiped away the grime I was glad to leave behind.
13:00: I walked to a hidden cove. The water was crystal clear. I was feeling almost serene.
17:00: I attempted to cook a proper meal in my apartment. I'd bought some lovely vegetables and a whole chicken to roast. I was determined to redeem my culinary reputation. The chicken was slightly burnt. The vegetables, while beautifully roasted, were slightly under-seasoned. So, I ordered a pizza.
19:00: The pizza arrived and I ate the whole way while watching the sunset, and that's when I had the thought, for all the times an experience turned out to be too much but the sunsets, they were never too much. They always gave.
Day 4 : Excursion to the Ancient City
08:00 Getting to the location with the tour group. The trip was supposed to be scenic. But the bus got struck in traffic.
11:00 Arriving at the ancient city. The ruins were gorgeous. And I felt like an archeologist too. It was all so impressive; the history, the architecture, and the view.
13:00 Lunch at a local restaurant. The food was ok. I did get slightly sunburnt.
16:00 The tour group was going to visit a local shop. And they had a wide range of merchandise. So I purchased a local handmade lamp and a rug.
18:00 Arrive back at The Palm Club. I collapsed into my sofa. What a day.
Day 5: Last Day Reflections
09:00: Late breakfast. Reheated pancake.
11:00: Sunbathing and re-evaluating everything (my life, my sunburn, my relationship with pancakes).
13:00: Lunch. Last meal at the cafe. Said goodbye to the cafe staff.
15:00: Pool time. I didn't want to go back home. I was starting to feel like I belonged.
17:00: Packed.
18:00 Had a final meal. I went to the kebab place and got good food. As I ate I thought about my time here, and the memories made here.
20:00: Off to the airport.
Final Thoughts:
Turkey, you glorious, chaotic, sun-drenched beauty. You've fed my soul, given me sunburn, and provided enough material for a novel. The Palm Club Apart Otel was a perfect base for my imperfect adventure. Would I come back? In a heartbeat. I love the place, even if my pancakes still suck and I still occasionally experience mild existential dread. I'll come back for the sunsets, and the fish, and the memories.
Escape to Paradise: Oya Butik Otel & Suites, Turkey Awaits!
Alright, Palm Club Apart Otel: Paradise Found? Tell me, is it *actually* paradise? Or is that just marketing hype?
Okay, honest moment here: "Paradise Found" is a *bit* much. Let's just say... it's paradise *adjacent*. Look, I've seen paradise. I've been to the Maldives. This ain't the Maldives. But for the price, and for Turkey? Yeah, it's pretty freaking good. You know, the brochure photos? They're maybe slightly airbrushed. The pool? It's lovely, but it's not quite infinity pool overlooking a volcano lovely. It's more like, "perfectly serviceable pool where you can easily grab a sun lounger at 9 AM if you're sneaky." And the trees are mostly palms - the clue's in the name, right? So, is it paradise? No. Is it a fantastic place to relax, unwind, and swig cheap beer while gazing at the Mediterranean? Absolutely.
What's the vibe like? Is it a party place, family-friendly, or... something else entirely?
This is a BIG question. The vibe? Well, it's... mixed, bless it. Mostly, it's chilled out. Families, definitely. Think kids splashing in the pool, the squeals of delighted children, the *occasional* tantrum. But the beauty of Palm Club is it’s big enough that the party people are usually tucked away somewhere, and the families generally keep themselves to themselves. I've definitely seen some groups of friends having a blast. The key? It's not Ibiza. But if you're looking for a low-key place where it's socially acceptable to wear your swimming trunks to breakfast and people won't judge you for it, you're in the right place. Honestly? I found it to be more annoying than family-friendly. The kids were noisy. But that's just me.
The rooms... Spill the tea! Are they actually *apartments*? Are they clean? What's the deal?
Okay. The rooms. They're *apartments* in the sense that you *could* live there. They have a kitchenette, a sitting area, a bedroom, and a balcony or terrace. The size varies, but generally, they're spacious enough. Cleanliness? It depends. I mean, you have to remember where you are. Think slightly faded glory. The cleaning staff are lovely; they try. But it's not a sterile, clinical environment. There might be a few crumbs you miss, the occasional rogue hair. My room had a weird smell. Like, a "slightly damp towel left too long" smell. But hey, I opened the balcony doors, and the salty sea air fixed everything. One thing? Check the air conditioning *immediately* on arrival. Mine was a bit hit-or-miss, and it's essential in that heat. Did it *always* work? No. Did I survive? Yes. And the price was right.
Food, glorious food! Any good restaurants nearby? Or will I be stuck eating hotel-made slop?
The in-house restaurant is... well, it's there. It serves food. Breakfast is included, which is always a win. Eggs, toast, cereal, the usual suspects. Lunch and dinner are available, but I'd recommend venturing out. The hotel food isn't *bad*, it's just... functional. The real joy is exploring the local restaurants! They have this amazing chicken kebab. I had it every day! Seriously. The food in turkey is amazing. But, if you don't eat meat, you'll have a hard time.
The pool! Is it as amazing as it looks in the pictures? Are there enough sun loungers? Spill the tea!
Okay, let's talk pool. This is important. The pool is really lovely. Clean, refreshing, and a great place to spend an afternoon. Are there *enough* sun loungers? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? It depends on the time of year. In high season? Get up early, like, REALLY early. Or be prepared to improvise. I saw people using towels to "reserve" loungers by the pool at 7AM. I'm talking "Operation Sunbed Grab." I preferred the beach, though. Quieter, less chlorine. Plus, you get the waves. But if you get a lounger? Pure bliss. Just... be prepared for the competition. Oh, and the pool bar? Essential. Especially for a cold beer at the end of the day.
How is the beach? Is it easy to get to? Is it lovely?
The beach. Oh, the beach! It's *close*. A short walk away, maybe 5-10 minutes, depending on how slowly you're ambling. It's sandy, the water is clear. The key? Find a good spot away from the sunbeds tied to a particular restaurant. There are plenty of free areas, just get there early if you want a good spot. The sea can be a bit wavy at times. But it’s perfect for swimming, and the sunsets are amazing. I spent a whole afternoon building a sandcastle with my nephew. It was beautiful. And then a huge wave washed it away. Typical. That’s life, I guess. The beach is easily the best part of the place.
How about the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? Or just trying to sell you stuff all the time?
Alright, the staff. Mixed bag again, but mostly positive. They work *hard*. Some are super friendly and helpful, happy to go out of their way. Others… well, they're just doing their jobs, which is perfectly fine. You'll get the occasional hard sell, the touts trying to get you on excursions, but it's part of the experience, isn't it? Just politely decline. They’re not offensively pushy. The cleaning ladies? Absolute stars, as I said before. Always smiling, always trying their best. They definitely made the place feel warmer.
What about things to do? Is it just sunbathing and swimming, or is there more?
Okay, so, sunbathing and swimming are definitely the main attractions. But there's *more*! There are excursions, of course. Boat trips, day trips to ancient ruins, jeep safaris, all the usual touristy stuff. I went on a boat trip. It was… fine. A bit crowded. The food on the boat was...again, functional. But the scenery was beautiful. Just beautiful. If you're into history, there are some amazing ruins nearby. But honestly? I spent most of my time doing absolutely nothing. And it was glorious. Sometimes, that's all you need.Escape to Paradise: Oya Butik Otel & Suites, Turkey Awaits!
