Disappointed by Turkey hotel

Turkey is a big place OP. Where abouts is your hotel side?? I've been twice. I have done Magic life Masmavi in Belek and Paloma Orenda in Side I knew there would be quite a few German people. Masmavi was my favourite.

It's best to watch YouTube videos or join the FB groups before booking a hotel.

Based on the fact it was not stated in the hotel description that it catered mainly for Germans. If you are paying for entertainment etc that you can’t enjoy you should be refunded. This is the consumer programme’s advice, not mine!

I am not surprised that a hotel for Turkeys failed to meet your expectations. Next time try booking a Turkish hotel

I'm a German speaker. The words coke, sprite and fanta are the same

HTH

Its so hot there at the moment isn't it? I have friends there right now who are melting

I had a similar situation in Egypt. First things first, talk to the rep and explain the issues. How far into the trip are you? Because they may see if they can move you to a different hotel if necessary (if you have the energy for all that!). I would also take pics of sunbeds, food choices, record the entertainment etc and ideally get written evidence of the correspondence between you and the rep/Jet2 so that you can make a complaint when back in the UK. Chances are you will get a partial refund or a voucher for future travel. When we had our issue, the biggest thing they wanted was some kind of proof that we had complained while at the hotel and given them a chance to fix the situation. I think for what you spent, and considering its AI in Turkey, you should be having a way better experience! We've spent less than that to go to the Maldives for 2 weeks!

I found Coke Zero definitely replaced Diet outside the UK and often is the standard unless you really say you want the full fat one. Fizzy water is standard in most countries as well, not just Germany.
Maybe look at the brand they are serving.

German for still water is "Ohne Sprudel" if that helps.

How disappointing for you! We had this once in Crete, no other English speaking children for ours to talk to. Risking disappointment ourselves is the reason we are returning to the same hotel (again in Crete but not the abovementioned one) for the forth year in a row next month. We literally can't face spending thousands and looking at each other and saying "We wish we were at the B hotel"

edited to say would recommend asking rep if any chance of moving.

It's not the Sunlife Magic hotel is it ? I'm going there ..
Hope it gets better for you soon especially at that cost

Making a complaint based on what, exactly? If you don’t want to encounter anyone who isn’t British, don’t travel overseas 🤷‍♀️

Oh no! Can I ask where you’ve booked? I’ve booked Lara barut in Antalya for next year but reviews look good and was also recommended to me. Also my first trip to Turkey.

@KassandraOfSparta - every hotel I have been to has a "continental" part of the buffet and I have seen plenty of non-Germans eating deli meat, ham, cheese. Something I personally don't eat for breakfast and hardly ever in a restaurant.

That's quite a weird assumption.

As a German I now really want to know what you think a Turkish hotel is serving as "German food"?

We had been to some AIs (not Turkey) where the nationality mix was quite German heavy, not real idea why but with a bi-lingual DD, she was lucky as the TUI kids club only offered German speaking staff.
We didn't look out for it, the hotel was acutally recommended by British friends.

I don't think we ever came across staff who don't speak English at all and Coke, Sprite and Fanta are the same words, so that can't be the issue.

Do people really think they are being clever posting "what is the matter with Germans" or "what is German food"? Or just trying to show that they are super cool or something? Weird.

OP has paid for an AI holiday which includes things like entertainment - which she cannot get the benefit of as it is in German and she can't understand it. The bar staff don't speak English and can't understand requests for a Coke/Sprite. The bathroom arrangements don't match what she saw online. The hotel is catering for German food preferences - assuming meat, potatoes, veg, traditional fare - rather than for international tastes. She is not getting the wi-fi she paid for either.

I have never been to Turkey but have been to a lot of AI resorts in the med and most places are brilliant at catering to all the different nationalities. DS was super impressed that the staff could make announcements in Spanish, English, French, German, Dutch and occasionally Swedish. Yes you'd find platters of cold meat and cheeses at breakfast to cater to the German market, but also cereals, cooked items, fruit and juices.

@Missmydog20 did your Jet2 rep give you a whatsapp number? This is the best way of getting in touch with a local rep who speaks English. Message them and lay out your concerns, focusing on the fact you paid for X and are getting Y rather than there being too many Germans. The bathroom, the entertainment you cannot get the benefit of etc etc.

Just seen you are in Side. Side is fantastic. If you can go out and explore sometimes. Visit the ruins. Go to an Ockabasi restaurant, have a day at a beach bar. I can highly recommend Gua beach bar for this. And try the German food - it might just be really nice.

The sunbeds situation- perhaps see if staff have spares in storage. Some will get more beds out when asked

I’ve literally seen a similar story on Rip Off Britain this week! Hotel all catering for Germans, booked through TUI. The conclusion was that it should be stated in the hotel details, I can’t remember if the couple were moved or if they got a refund or both. It’s worth making a complaint!

Paloma Oceana

Totally agree with this. You sound like you didn't do your research. The aforementioned sources would have told you all this complete with photos.

Turkey 5 stars can be absolutely fantastic. Next time you go, join Facebook groups of the area you are going to, scan TripAdvisor for reviews and you wont make the same mistake again.

We went to Belek, stayed at a 5 star golf resort. It was full of Russian's.
I'm not sure if spending any more money would get you any better company, however the facilities and staff may be more what your expecting.
To be honest, it wasn't a pleasant holiday and we wouldn't return.

We've stayed in Side Star Elegance in Side. Multi national - food was fantastic 😋

I’ve never had an issue in Turkey with staff not understanding English. And how can the food be all German?