Club Grand Aqua

Firstly what's good:

Amazon water world - such a cool place with the pools, a grotto, slides. It's really well conceived and the best bit of the hotel the rooms were nice and well decorated cleaning was spot on - they did a great job every day the aircon was great the swim up room we had was great for the kids - they could go swimming direct from the balcony Hilmi at reception was very helpful - he understood service

What was not good (are you ready ;-) )

The internet was terrible pretty much everywhere and kept dropping out Some staff spoke no English, French or German (we have all languages fluently in our family so no misunderstandings) Some staff spoke no English – not an issue for us but might be if it was your only language Generally service was hit and miss – some waiters and bar staff were really grumpy while others were nice & fun. We’d often be interrupted when clearly in the middle of a conversation – an issue with training Although there were signs up saying no lifeguards there were very few for a hotel of this size. Those I did see were often buried in their phones You had to pay for fresh orange juice at breakfast or for branded ice cream (i.e. cornetto, twister etc.) There are some recycling bins but way, way too few There’s no iron in the room, just an ironing service The opening times of the slides were in my opinion ridiculous – closed from 12.00 to 14.30 – this just didn’t suit us but we had to rearrange the rhythm of what we wanted to do to suit their opening times It’s a long walk to the beach (10 minutes from Grand Aqua at least). There is a tractor that takes you down there but it goes 3 times a day The COVID test was a joke. The woman spoke no German or English. She didn’t even know how long before we flew we needed to take the test. Truly shocking how inept she was and it was not her fault – no training. They really pressurise you to take spa treatments – it was unpleasant. We felt harassed in the hotel, it was like being out on the streets in Marrakesh The neighbouring hotel was banging out (and I mean loud) absolutely rubbish music until 11.00 every night. So when we were on the balcony (when the kids were in bed) there was no chance of a peaceful evening, putting on our own music etc. We laughed about it because it was SO BAD but if you are an elderly couple for example it’s going to ruin your evening time outside. Not the hotel’s fault per se but they need to do something about it for their guests They close the gym on Sunday – why when the gym is in the spa (which is open on Sunday) and no staff member is ever in the gym is beyond me

And now to what was by far and away the worst of it all – the food and drink. To call the food functional would be kind. There is effectively only one restaurant and apart from one night they served the same thing every day for every meal. The hotel will say there was choice but it’s variation on a theme (cauliflower gratin vs. broccoli gratin or grilled chicken vs. fried chicken). They had a BBQ a few nights but it was not good quality. If you in any way like your food you will not enjoy this hotel. As for the drink the rose wine was undrinkable and the white was only manageable with ice – so cheap and so bad. The beer was OK but then that’s to be expected. At the Relax Pool there was a venue for lunch which was OK for the first 2 days before you realised absolutely nothing changed day to day and there were no vegetarian options. Your only real alternative was getting dressed and going to the main restaurant (again) The waiters we had were trained poorly. They were so over eager to clear the table they were stressing us out – you had to watch your plate or your drink at all times if you were half way through it, otherwise the waiter has the plate or glass in his hand. Again – poor training The a la carte restaurants are shameful. On the website it promises an “unforgettable experience”. You wouldn’t forget it because it was so bad – honestly if management read this you are exploiting people and the way you manage this is a disgrace. The fish restaurant is just a prefab building near the beach. 4 choices (sea bream, bass, mackerel and one other without an option of sauce) for adults or fishfingers for kids. 2 of our kids don’t eat fishfingers – when I asked for an alternative the guy at reception just shrugged his shoulders. The ‘Italian” restaurant – 4 types of pasta (bought in ravioli or Bolognese etc.) or 4 different pizzas. Absolute joke The coffee situation was also dire

We had to go out on 3 occasions to eat because otherwise there would have been a mutiny in our family. And that sticks in the throat when you have already paid for your food and drink.

The negatives for us therefore outweigh the positives and we would not return. I have done all inclusive in Turkey before (Ali Bey) and that was amazing. You have been warned.

We were accommodated in a family room with small children. Suggestion for improvement: non-functioning reservation form on the hotel's website, the hotel does not respond to emails, very weak WIFI connection, there was none in the room, ice cream only from 1-5 p.m., popsicles were not part of the all inclusive and were for an extra charge, the football field was not modified, although they tried to water the grass, the evening shows were moderated in German (it would be appropriate to moderate these events in English as well), the train to the beach only ran 3 times a day. Lack of sunbeds at the Club grand side pool. The water attractions were limited in time. Positive feedback: Cleanliness, daily cleaned rooms. Restaurant clean, plenty of staff. Plenty of very good food and drink. The family room is big. Plenty of sunbeds by the pool in Club grand aqua and on the beach. The social facilities on the beach are perfect. The beach is beautiful, clean and tidy. Great activities for children - climbing frames, toboggans... The staff was very friendly. We will definitely be back.

Excellent hotel. Cleanless at top level. Beautifull beach with a full service. Friendly personnel. A lot to do for children. Amazing garden, rivers, waterfalls, slides.. Great drinks consisted of imported alcohol in inclusive option. I am impressed and can recommend Club Grand Side &Aqua to everyone. You Won't be regret. Only small con - stuff don't speak English well, only German.. Ps. The biggest pros is no RU there ':)