Disappointed by Turkey hotel

Majority of the reviews on trip advisor are by people who have only ever made 1 review. They all reference a member of staff by name and they all give 5 stars. So I think most of them are AI or fake. It's irritating how much of that there is about - like so many amazon reviews nowadays.

Saw this set up on social media recently. Apparently it's the latest trend. Hope it doesn't last, as it looks terrible.

I went to an AI hotel couple of years ago in spain for a few days, there were mainly older German couples there as out of term time. Never again. Only one German family- mother and adult daughter- seemed friendly. Would never have gone if I knew it was going to be like that. German food, music and unpleasant German pensioners! Feel your pain op x

What about pictures of the food?

They are mostly German but unfortunately TripAdvisor automatically translates them to English, so if you scroll through the entire review section is in English. There’s a small link at the bottom of each review to show the original, which will change it back to German. Someone quickly skimming through reviews probably wouldn’t even notice.

It looks like you’ve relied on jet 2’s description without researching the actual place. Tui is the same, they’re 5 stars but not actually 5 star by any means. Anything below 4.7 on trip advisor isn’t worth your money no matter how much your spending. Having said that, the vast majority of the hotels are a miss with handful that are truly 5 star inclusive such as the Rixos premiums et al, latter being akin to ikos of Greece.

Where have you been whilst you’ve been banging out these long posts Op?

Your DDs must be wondering what’s going on!

For what you've paid, I would definitely expect a good range of food and decent wifi etc. But the Antalya/Side area of Turkey seems to be the most popular part of the country for German and Russian tourists so a lot of the hotels etc cater for their tastes/language mainly and tourist shops/restaurants tend to display prices in Euros as well as lira. I've found that the area closer to Dalaman airport (marmaris/olu deniz etc) is more aimed at british tourists and has prices in £/lira and all staff speak excellent English. So I think the language etc issue is down to your choice of resort.
Prices of supplies for hotels in Turkey are increasing constantly at the moment, especially alcoholic drinks, and from what I've seen and heard it looks like some places are cutting corners to try to remain profitable, especially all inclusive places. If you're not people who drink much you would have probably been better at a decent B&B as there are loads of really nice restaurants catering to all tastes.
Side harbour/old town is lovely, but I believe most of the all inclusive hotels are quite a way from this. There is a small museum and also a pretty impressive amphitheatre that are definitely worth a visit- you can buy a pass on the door to either that gives you access to both. Both also have cool/shaded areas that are welcome in the heat. As pp said, you can also stroll around the shops and there are plenty of nice places to eat/drink there. Assuming it's still running, there's a small landtrain that will take you from the start of the old town down to the harbour area for a few lira- definitely worth it in the heat.
If you like beach days but sunbeds are a problem at the hotel, there are loads of private beaches near Side that will come and collect you from your hotel for a beach day. They have fantastic shaded areas with fans etc to keep cool if you need some time out of the sun (I'm very pale and worried that a full beach day would be too much but this made it very pleasant). They have nice sunbeds and plenty of them. Obviously you need to pay for your food and drink there but when I've been it's been very good and not too pricey. You can find details on tripadviser/facebook and most are very 'instagramable' which my young adult DC liked. Some have a small entry fee but most just ask you to buy some drinks/food.
You may have to pay out for some excursions/food outside the hotel but I think you can still have an amazing holiday

And circa 95% from German reviewers?

And picture of food all very German?

And zero mention of subbed wars?

Just had a look at trip advisor and it's quite odd. Almost every review speaks about the gym, fitness and fitness instructor 'Tonga'.
Is there maybe a big German fitness thing going on at the hotel?

4.9 on TA is pretty good and hard to fake.
One of my criteria on hotels is minimum 4.5 rating. Of course even cheap places can come highly rated if people thing they've had good value.

The bathroom thing is a current fashion in hotels. Why some designer ever thought that guests would want glass doors or wash basins in the bedroom I don't know. Last year in a 5* hotel there was a huge jacuzzi in the bedroom, just inside the door. DH would get in before dinner each night. Unfortunately that coincided with the maid coming to do chocolates and turn down. Both DH and the maid got a bit of a shock when she barged in.
I now look very carefully at bathrooms!

I dont think this is a Turkish holiday problem, we have been to Turkey many times, admittedly not AI, but my parents always use TUI 5* AI, and none of us have encountered the issues that you raise. Infact my parents say there are 2 TUI hotels in Turkey that are the best they have ever used and they travel alot.
Your holiday is quite expensive, and I would ask your rep to move you.

We go to Turkey and loveeee our hotels, we usually stay at well known, good standard hotels such as liberty hotels, Barut hotel but they come with a higher price tag.
My sister goes to Turkey and doesn't do a lot of research, as long as its a big beach front hotel with reasonable reviews she books it.
We have very different experiences, if you go with a higher standard brand then you get the much better service, sunbeds etc.

Just enjoy it, boat trips are lovely in Turkey if you want a day away and I would suggest going with a good brand of hotel in future (if you haven't already) x

We have been to some amazing hotels in Turkey, multi national however we always book with TUI (who are German)

This happened to us but in Greece and it was French hotel. Didn’t mind at all, tbh we went to watch the entertainment and just laughed along (I can speak very basic french! But not when they speak fast 😂). However we knew beforehand it was French TUI hotel, we weren’t fussed about the entertainment and the staff spoke some very basic English. I would have been more annoyed if I didn’t know and I’d paid nearly 7 grand though!

Jet 2 are mass market tour operators. You are not going to get a luxury experience, you haven't paid a lot for peak period so I think your expectations are probably off if I am honest. Speaking as a travel agent for two decades but a long time ago.

Turkish hotels can have many different room styles and layouts all within the one building, so you could ask for something with a different layout if you explain it is not working.

The bars ime always have printed drinks menus behind the counter if you ask - so you could point to what you want on their list, take a photo of it (or use Bing translate on your phone?).

The Jet 2 Rep should be able to offer you another hotel if you don’t have success, have always found Jet 2 to be exceptionally helpful.

I don’t think you’re going to get perfect for £6k in peak summer. We did Ikos for £10k for 10 days in a half term for 4 and it was a lovely holiday but still some niggles if I’m honest.

IME plenty of “five star” hotels in Turkey aren’t actually five star, well not compared to other countries anyway. I’ve been a couple of times and tbh wouldn’t rush back.

Im sorry your holiday isn’t going well x

Came to say exactly this. If it is as you describe I doubt nobody else mentioned this on TripAdvisor

I’d definitely give feedback to the travel agents. Years ago a travel agent helped us book a holiday in Australia and recommended a certain car hire company. They were terrible and it annoys me to this day I didn’t give them feedback!

In a more positive light, you wont be forced into making holiday 'friends' if they're all German

@Missmydog20 I feel for you. There are some bad reviews on there now from the last few days, but too late for you now. Could you use a translation app to order drinks?

God I hear you. I went on holiday and was just surrounded by a swarm of English people abroad and all the staff just seemed to speak English. Nightmare! Not that I a few English people. They are not all awful. Just not that many at once ruining my holiday with their Englishness and English language.

The shower and toilet are only separated from communal room areas by frosted (but still slightly see through) glass doors so privacy isn’t great

I can't improve on PPs' advice about the holiday, @Missmydog20, but think yourself lucky on the above

Pre-cruise I stayed at the Village Hotel in Eastleight near Southampton, and the bathroom walls are completely clear glass ... whoever designed the place must have been either a fetishist or just plain insane

Tangent disposed of and back with yours, I wonder if the % of Germans reflects a new holiday provider they've signed up with?